Clay roof tiles — Presentation and design

The origin of the canal tile dates back to Antiquity. Roman buildings were roofed with two terracotta tiles: one hollow or tegula, the other semi-cylindrical or imbrex. Today's canal tile uses the same model to form the water collection channel, with the other covering the adjacent tiles.

The truncated cone or half-round shape of the canal tile fulfills both the function of the "running" tile (tegula) and that of the junction or "roof" tile, ensuring the watertightness of the whole.

These interlocking tiles are ideal for low-slope roofs (depending on the region, they are often called "tiges de bottes"). They are mainly used in the southern half of France, but can also be found in the west, as well as in Champagne, Auvergne and the Centre region.