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Kōrero: Building materials

Marseilles tiles

Marseilles tiles

Marseilles tiles were introduced to New Zealand in about 1901. The vivid terracotta colour contrasted with the red oxide paint of corrugated iron roofs and the grey of slate roofs. Marseilles tiles were especially popular for English-style houses.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Carl Walrond

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Jeremy Salmond, Building materials – Roofing and glazing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/25125/marseilles-tiles (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Jeremy Salmond, i tāngia i te 4 March 2010.

Comments

Simon Cowham
04 April 2011
Marseilles tiles are derived from the French Gilardoni tile produced from the 1840s. The Gilardoni tile was unique in that it was the first interlocking tile to be given a rib in the centre of the tile. The central rib strengthened the tile allowing them to carry the weight of a person making installation and maintenance easier. Marseille clay tiles were patented in France in 1874, at the same time as the first industrial clay presses. The introduction of presses and moulds allowed tiles to be produced to a uniform standard and size. This allowed the interlocks of Marseille tiles to be constructed without a large overlap. This meant the tiles could cover a larger area, reducing construction costs. The uniform production also permitted the tiles to be laid “broken bond”. This permits water travelling down the interlocks to exit the tile at the bottom of each course and reduces the risk of leaks. Marseille roofing tiles were exported to Turkey, India, America, Australia and New Zealand. The Wunderlich Ceiling and roofing company were the first company to import the tiles into New Zealand. Marseille Roofing tiles were used to cover the house and gate lodge at “Mona Vale”, Christchurch in 1895. The cost of shipment meant that the tiles were only used on expensive builds. An advert from the Southland Times, dated 19th May 1903 stated that the tiles were of appearance “Infinitely better than that of any other roof covering” In 1924 Winstones Ltd began to manufacture Marseilles tiles in New Zealand. Due to an import substitution policy in the 1930s, Marseilles tiles became the predominant roof covering for new constructions. The tiles could be produced in New Zealand whereas Corrugated Galvanised Iron had to be imported. The tiles are now a common feature of the New Zealand landscape. References 1 Bures, House of Wunderlich, p71 2 Papers past, page 2 3 C F Cameron, “State housing and state sponsored housing in New Zealand” (March, University of Auckland, 1970) P 91 4 Wunderlich Ltd, Forty years of Wunderlich Industry. 1927