FAQs

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No. Ludowici’s industry-best 75-year warranty covers color-fastness regardless of a project’s location.

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Color Range refers to the naturally-occurring variation of tones present on every clay tile roof. Many factors contribute to a color range, including placement in the kiln, chemical characteristics of glazes being applied, and composition of raw materials. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for samples and photographs to help illustrate the beauty and depth of Ludowici’s color pallette.

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No. The numbers likely indicate the tile’s manufacturing date, but they do not provide profile or color information. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a sample to Ludowici for identification.

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No, not with any degree of certainty. Ludowici’s Technical Department and Ceramic Engineer can provide profile and color information only if they can examine a piece of the existing tile. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a sample to Ludowici for identification.

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Ludowici warrants its clay tile to be free from manufacturing defects and to maintain color-fastness during the 75-year period following sale of the tile to the original purchaser.

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No. Ludowici manufactures clay products exclusively, with raw materials harvested less than 6 miles from the plant.

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LudoSlate and LudoShake offer Ludowici’s signature durability and sustainability, but both profiles weigh less than 600 pounds per square. As a result, they are the ideal choices for projects where weight is a concern.

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Yes. Many of the patterns and molds for Ludowici’s historic pieces still exist. If necessary, though, Ludowici’s Technical Department can generate drawings for new sets of patterns and molds to be made.

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Yes. Ludowici’s Technical Department can generate drawings based on any sample they receive. In some cases, molds and patterns already exist because of the frequency with which Ludowici is asked to match defunct manufacturers’ profiles.

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Yes. Because Ludowici tile outperforms all ASTM C 1167 test requirements, it can be used in all climate zones. In the past year alone, Ludowici has shipped material to projects in Canada, Russia, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

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Lead-times are affected by a number of unpredictable factors, so they are subject to change on a weekly basis. Lead-times will vary by profile type, field tile, and accessory or custom pieces. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for current lead-times.

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Yes. Although the vast majority of Ludowici’s production is on a made-to-order basis, certain profiles and colors are in stock for immediate shipment. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for a list of available material.

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Ludowici’s Technical Department and Ceramic Engineer can provide profile and color information only if they can examine a piece of the existing tile. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a sample to Ludowici for identification.

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Yes. Raw materials, production equipment, and manufacturing techniques change from time to time, so Ludowici encourages the customer to approve a new sample set before placing an order.

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Yes – but only in some instances. Ludowici encourages, and in many cases requires, a customer to view samples prior to order placement. At the discretion of Ludowici’s Project Managers, however, the color-approval process can be waived for certain standard offerings. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager to discuss the specific details of your project.

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Yes. Ludowici’s Technical Department will provide a full material take-off free of charge if roof plans and elevations are provided. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a request to the Technical Department.

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Yes. Customers are welcome to arrange freight on their own, regardless of how large or small the order might be. Please contact our Shipping Department directly to discuss logistics.

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Yes. Raw materials, production equipment, and manufacturing techniques change from time to time, so Ludowici encourages the customer to approve a new sample set before placing an order.

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The return of goods will be considered on a case-by case basis. Any material returned will require a “returned goods authorization number” issued by Ludowici’s Finance Department. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager to discuss the potential return and any applicable fees and charges.

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No – samples to approve profile/shape and color are free. Limiting sample quantities allows Ludowici to continue to offer this service at no cost to the customer.
Large sample orders for mock-up construction will incur a small fee.

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Ludowici sells through distribution or direct to contractors and building owners.

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For pricing and availability, please contact your local Sales Representative or Territory Manager.

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Yes. Ludowici encourages, and in most cases requires, sample approval prior to order placement. Please contact your local Sales Representative or Territory Manager to submit a sample request at no charge.

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Yes. The Renovation QuickShip program offers a combination of profiles and colors with no minimum quantity requirements. Please contact Ludowici directly for assistance with order placement.

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Ludowici requires a 50% deposit at the time of order placement for all custom material. Orders sold direct to contractors and/or building owner might require a deposit if no account has been established with Ludowici.

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Yes. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager to request a credit application.

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Yes. Ludowici accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover payments for orders totaling less than $2500.

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Yes. Prosoco specializes in the manufacturing of cleaning solutions for natural products, such as clay roof tile. Please visit their website at www.prosoco.com or contact their Customer Service representatives at (800) 255-4255 for more details.

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Ludowici’s product-specific Installation Manuals are available for download here.

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A detailed information sheet is available for each standard Field Tile profile Ludowici produces. In addition, our Technical Data brochure provides information for all profiles in one convenient place.

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Yes. Ludowici’s Technical Department will provide a full material take-off free of charge if roof plans and elevations are provided. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a request to the Technical Department.

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Yes. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for the names and phone numbers of qualified and experienced contractors.

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Yes – but only in some instances. Ludowici encourages, and in many cases requires, a customer to view samples prior to order placement. At the discretion of Ludowici’s Project Managers, however, the color-approval process can be waived for certain standard offerings. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager to discuss the specific details of your project.

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The return of goods will be considered on a case-by case basis. Any material returned will require a “returned goods authorization number” issued by Ludowici’s Finance Department. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager to discuss the potential return and any applicable fees and charges.

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Ludowici’s Technical Department and Ceramic Engineer can provide profile and color information only if they can examine a piece of the existing tile. Please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance with submitting a sample to Ludowici for identification.

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The Estimated Completion Date for your order appears on all Order Acknowledgements and Invoices. If you need assistance locating it, or if you do not have copies of those documents available, please contact your Sales Representative or Territory Manager for assistance.

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Ludowici’s Sales Representatives and Territory Managers are always available to help with any aspect of your project. Please contact Ludowici directly for the name and phone number of the person in your area.

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Ludowici’s warranties are non-prorated, unlike many other material warranties offered in the roofing industry, including certain “lifetime” warranties. Ludowici’s material warranty also includes color while most others exclude color because competing roofing products often fade and their appearance is diminished over time. Finally, Ludowici’s warranties are backed by a company that has been in continous operation since 1888 with millions of terra cotta tiles installed in all weather climates that are still performing after 100 years of use.

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Ludowici Roof Tile Inc. offers two different types of warranties for the terra cotta tiles it produces in its New Lexington, Ohio facility. The first warranty is a 75-year limited warranty that covers the terra cotta tile itself. This warranty is offered on new tile for completed projects produced and sold from its factory in New Lexington, Ohio; provided that such tile is not being installed and blended with existing terra cotta tiles. The 75-year limited warranty is provided with the purchase of each piece of new terra cotta tile and is not purchased separately. The terms and conditions of the 75-year limited warranty are outlined within this document.

The second warranty offered is Ludowici’s Premium Service Program Limited Warranty (the “Shield Warranty”). The Shield Warranty covers the watertightness of the roof installation using new terra cotta tiles from Ludowici Roof Tile. The Shield Warranty is offered in a 10-year and 20-year time period. The Shield Warranty, unlike the 75-year limited warranty, is a premium warranty that can be purchased for a fee in addition to the purchase price of the terra cotta tiles. The Shield Warranty has a very strict set of requirements that must be adhered to precisely in order for the warranty to be issued once the project is complete. The Shield Warranty is only offered for commercial and institutional projects.

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Subject to certain conditions, Ludowici warrants its standard grade clay tile to be free from manufacturing defects during the 75-year period following sale of the tile to the original purchaser.

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Yes; provided, however, that the clay tile will not be considered defective with respect to color, shade or hue so long as the color, shade or hue provided it does not vary by more than two Hunter E units from the original tile sample.

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Yes. This is offered as part of the Shield Warranty program. In order to qualify for this warranty, the project must meet all requirements of the Shield Warranty and be installed by a certified Ludowici Crown Roofer. The Shield Warranty is only offered for commercial and institutional projects. The project must also meet stringent review requirements by Ludowici Roof Tile prior to acceptance for the Shield Warranty program.

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In order for Ludowici to issue the final warranty for a completed project a completed warranty request form must be provided to Ludowici for review. The final warranty document/certificate will be issued once all necessary information is supplied, reviewed, approved and all final invoices are paid in full.

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No cost. The warranty is included in the price of the terra cotta tiles.

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Ludowici’s Shield Warranty has a cost that is assigned on a project by project basis based on a review of the project requirements by the Ludowici technical department. The applicable fee for the Shield Warranty will be listed as a line item on the project material proposal supplied by Ludowici.

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No, for the 75-year Limited Material Warranty. Yes, for the Shield Warranty.

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Ludowici’s terra cotta materials are warranted for 75 years when purchased new from Ludowici Roof Tile; provided that such tiles are not installed and blended with existing terra cotta tiles.

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Prior to 1982, Ludowici Roof Tile did not offer a warranty. In 1982, a 50-year material warranty was put in place for the first time. In December of 1992, the 50-year material warranty was changed to 75-years.

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In June of 2012, Ludowici Roof Tile implemented the Premium Service Program Limited Warranty, also referred to as the Shield Warranty, in order to offer commercial and institutional building owners the opportunity to purchase either a 10-year or 20-year weathertightness warranty that includes labor and material on their new Ludowici roof. The Shield Warranty is only available for purchase on commercial and institutional projects and must be installed by a certified Ludowici Crown Roofer. To qualify for the Shield Warranty, underlayments and fasteners required for the project must be purchased from Ludowici Roof Tile.

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The 75-year Limited Material Warranty covers the terra cotta tile material only and is offered on all new tile purchased from Ludowici provided it is not being installed and blended with existing terra cotta tiles . The Premium Service Program Limited Warranty or Shield Warranty is a 10-year or 20-year weathertightness warranty available for purchase only on commercial and institutional projects. The Ludowici terra cotta tiles must be installed by a certified Ludowici Crown Roofer and all underlayments and fasteners must be purchased from Ludowici Roof Tile in order for the final Shield Warranty to be issued.

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First, the project must be either a commerical or institutional project. Second, the project must be reviewed by Ludowici’s technical department to ensure it meets the criteria for the Shield Warranty. Third, the owner must agree to costs associated to purchase the Shield Warranty as determined by Ludowici’s technical department. Fourth, installation contractor or roofer must submit details to be used for the project to Ludowici Roof Tile’s technical department for review and approval prior to installation. Fifth, the project must be successfully installed by a certified Ludowici Crown Roofer. Sixth, underlayments and fasteners required on the project must be purchased from Ludowici Roof Tile. Seventh, the roofer or installation contractor must submit to Ludowici Roof Tile’s technical department progress photographs of the installation showing that all details submitted and approved prior were followed throughout the installation. After successful completion of the project, a final review will be completed by Ludowici’s technical and accounting department. Once this review has determined that all necessary steps have been completed, the final warranty paperwork will be issued.

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A specific underlayment or waterproofing membrane is not required in order to receive Ludowici’s 75-Year Limited Material Warranty. However, Ludowici recommends that typical installation details including roof deck preparation and underlayments be followed per Ludowici’s published installation instructions.

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A specific underlayment or waterproofing membrane is required in order to receive Ludowici’s Premium Service Program Limited Warranty/Shield Warranty. Please contact Ludowici’s technical department for assistance on the membrane/underlayment needed for a specific project. In order to qualify for the Premium Service Program Limited Warranty/Shield Warranty, the membrane/underlayment and fasteners must be purchased from Ludowici Roof Tile and all materials installed by a certified Ludowici Crown Roofer.

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Yes, Ludowici Roof Tile is a New Lexington, Ohio based company in continuous operation since 1888. Ludowici has terra cotta products (natural terra cotta, matte glazed terra cotta, and gloss glazed terra cotta) installed all over North America dating back to 1888.

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Ludowici’s warranties are backed by Ludowici Roof Tile, a New Lexington, Ohio based company in continuous operation since 1888.

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In this very rare situation, to obtain performance under this warranty, the customer shall notify Ludowici in writing of any claimed manufacturing defect within 30 days following its discovery and shall submit with such notification proof of date of purchase and tile installation, in order to provide Ludowici an opportunity to investigate the claim and examine the material claimed to be defective. All warranty claims must be made during the warranty period and shall be provided to: Ludowici Roof Tile, Inc., 4757 Tile Plant Road, P.O. Box 69, New Lexington, Ohio 43764, Attn: Warranty Claims. Ludowici shall then promptly investigate the claim. Within a reasonable time after approval of the warranty claim, Ludowici will perform its obligations under this warranty. Any warranty claim not made within 30 days after the defect is or should have been discovered will be barred.

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No. Only the terra cotta products manufactured by Ludowici Roof Tile are covered by the 75-year Limited Material Warranty.

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Yes, a Ludowici warranty will not be issued or applicable if the new terra cotta tiles are blended with existing terra cotta tiles on the same roof plane. If new Ludowici terra cotta tiles are to be used in conjunction with old Ludowici roof tiles on the same roof, they must be separated and used on different roof planes in order for the warranty to be effective. A roof plan documenting where new versus old tiles were used must be supplied at the time of the warranty request. Photos illustrating new vs old areas will also be required. Blending old Ludowici tiles with new Ludowici tiles will result in Ludowici not being able to provide the 75-year Limited Material Warranty on the project.

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Yes. The warranties offered by Ludowici are transferrable provided the terra cotta materials remain in their original installed position, on the same original installed structure at the same original project location. The warranties become void if the terra cotta tiles are removed from the original structure on which they were installed.

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It is limited to the supply of new replacment material only or to the original purchase amount value of the tile.

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It is limited to the original project contract installed costs of the terra cotta tile materials.

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Yes. Ludowici warranties will not apply to projects located in alpine conditions (climatic areas that experience frequent heavy winter snowfall intermittent with strong solar radiation, common to high altitude geography) unless otherwise expressly pre-approved in writing by Ludowici Roof Tile.

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Yes. The same 75-year Limited Material Warranty that Ludowici Roof Tile offers on its terra cotta roof tiles also applies to the NeXclad tiles installed vertically on a wall.

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Yes. Ludowici’s Premium Service Program Limited Warranty (10-year or 20-year) requires that all terra cott tiles be installed by a Ludowici certified Crown Roofer. The Crown Roofer is liable for the weathertightness performance of the installation for the first (5) years of the warranty. For potential claims within the first 5-years customers must contact the installation contractor for all watertightness performance issues. If the customer contacts Ludowici, Ludowici will direct the customer to contact the installation contractor during this initial 5-year period.

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No, Ludowici’s material warranties only apply to new Ludowici products purchased directly from Ludowici Roof Tile.