Menu path
Set-Up > Materials > Tiles / Tile Accessories
What it does
The Tiles section allows you to define new tiles in the database with all necessary specifications for estimation. Each tile requires a unique product code that links the tile with its accessories, pricing, and labour costs. The system uses geometric values to determine course spacing and tile quantities for your projects.
🧾 Tile Definition Settings
Field | Description |
Supplier | Enter supplier name manually or click the Supplier button to select from existing suppliers in the database |
Profile | Enter tile profile name manually or click the Profile button to select from existing profiles |
Name | Enter tile name manually or click the Name button to select from existing names |
Material | Enter material type manually or click the Material button to select from existing materials. If material is Concrete, concrete pay rates are used; otherwise terracotta pay rates apply |
Roof tile coverage area | Number of tiles per square metre (or square foot). Used for area method estimates |
Pieces per bundle | Minimum order quantities (pallets/bundles). Default is 1 for individual pieces. Numbers greater than 1 report tiles in bundles/pallets |
Max roof tile coverage length | Maximum coverage length for this tile. Used in coursing commands for course layout determination |
Min roof tile coverage length | Minimum coverage length for this tile. Used in coursing commands for course layout determination |
Roof tile coverage width | Coverage width of the tile. Used to determine tile quantities with coursing method |
Fastener Code | Select required fastener from previously defined fasteners list, or define new fastener using accessories option |
Num. Fasteners per Tile | Define required fasteners per tile |
Recommended Batten | Click [...] button to select from available battens for this tile |
Batten Len. per Unit Area | Formula used by installers to calculate batten quantities, especially with Area Method costing |
Product Code | Unique identifier for each tile (typically matches supplier's code). Must be unique and links tile with all accessories |
Roof Tile Cost | Cost per tile piece |
Roof Tile Waste File | Link to specific tile waste factors if defined for this profile (see Setup > Set Up Pay Rates > Tile Waste Factors) |
Alternate Category | Define different category for grouping tile under different section in Supply and Install summary  |
PDF File | Link PDF documents (like spec sheets) for inclusion in document packages |
🔧 Control Buttons
Button | Function |
Delete | Deletes the current tile definition |
Add | Adds current definition to database (must be unique) |
Update | Updates current record with current details (appears only after selecting Select) |
Select | Lists all tiles in database for viewing, editing, or deleting |
Cancel | Aborts changes without making them permanent |
OK | Makes all changes permanent and writes to data file |
🧾 Tile Accessories Setup
Click the Accessories button to define tile accessories such as ridge, hip, and other specialty pieces. These accessories are linked to the main tile through the product code system.
Each accessory requires a unique product code, though the same accessory can be used across multiple tiles with the same product code. Accessories can also be labour items by selecting the M button at the end of a row.
🛠 Accessory Estimation Methods
Method | Description |
Not Estimated | Item is listed but not estimated |
Per Unit Area | Quantified based on unit area of roof where panel is installed |
Per Tile | Adds accessory item(s) per tile |
Spaced Along the Ridge | Adds accessory based on ridge length |
Spaced Along the Hip | Adds accessory based on hip length |
Spaced Along the Valley | Adds accessory based on valley length |
Spaced Along the Gable | Adds accessory based on gable length |
Spaced Along the Roof to Wall (Apron) | Adds accessory based on apron length |
Spaced Along the SideWall (Step) | Adds accessory based on sidewall (step) length |
Spaced Along the Monoridge | Adds accessory based on monoridge length |
Per Apex | Adds accessory per ridge/hip apex |
Per Shell End | Adds accessory per hip end (shell-end piece) |
Per Wind Zone | Additional accessories required due to structure's wind zone |
The software automatically adds accessory categories based on defined flashing line types.
🔧 Accessory Control Buttons
Button | Function |
Select | Lists all previously defined tile accessories for selection |
Reset | Aborts current changes to the accessories list |
OK | Adds accessories to current tile record |
💡 Quote Groups and PDF Linking
Roof Wizard supports improved pricing and job management with external accounting system linkages. You can modify the default category for each material item using Quote Groups, and link PDF files (like spec sheets) to create comprehensive documentation sets.
A PDFS.CSV file is created containing product codes and linked PDF file names. If a Drawing Report of type PDFReport is defined under Drawings, it compiles all PDFs for printing.
⚠️ Important Notes
Changes are saved to tiles_v6.csv binary data file when you click OK. Be aware that there's also a Tiles+ data structure suited for markets with extensive accessory pieces (like UK and Europe). The standard Tiles database generally works well for Australia and New Zealand markets.
With tile accessories added to the Tiles database in Roof Wizard V8.0, the Tiles+ database has become largely redundant for most applications.