@kamundu Clay tiles beat all in that 1.They are cheaper than decra, more or less same cost as mabati 2.lighter than concrete tiles hence saving on timber truss 3. Very durable and become more beautiful as they age-they get a beautiful dark brown with black spots colour as they age 4.Made form natural clay so you can drink the water as opposed to decra, concrete tiles and mabati which contain paint which contains lead which is poisonous. Stone-coated steel tiles are an expensive imitation of clay tiles so if you can get the real tiles, the better. Read more here http://www.a4architect.c...for-your-house-in-kenya/ http://www.a4architect.c...-by-www-a4architect-com/

clay tiles are lighter than concrete tiles hence the mbao can be spaced more further apart hence savings. Clay tiles compared to mabati uses more timber since tile spacing trusses are closer than mabati supporting trusses. Clay tiles have various designs, mainly the flat type or the curved half round or the spanish s type. As long as the roof is kept at a steep slope e.g 30degrees, no leakage can occur hence no need for mabati underlay. A common mistake people do is to lay tiles at a less steep degree[22.5 and below] hence leakages hence requiring mabati underlay.

A bit out of topic, but I think this architectural designs are crazy. Bizarre CCTV headquarters seems to defy gravity - http://www.gizmag.com/cc...ters-defy-gravity/22615/ CCTV headquarters, Bejing (Photo: OMA/ Philippe Ruault) MIT's affordable housing project builds first prototype in China - http://www.gizmag.com/mi...t-first-prototype/19887/ - This should help low cost housing become more affordable. Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Tower to claim world’s tallest building title - http://www.gizmag.com/ki...-tallest-building/19424/ - And I hope it doesn't become the infamous "tower of babel'... Tall, red and green: Social housing scheme sells energy back to the grid - http://www.gizmag.com/24...ble-housing-units/22613/

@architect - I hope you are marketing the diamond house plan. Looks like a sure bet if it picks up in future. Apart from Family bank, which other financial institution is warming up to this idea? Are you also thinking of REITs?

If land prices continue skyrocketing, this will be the future of Kenyan housing http://www.cnn.com/2010/...tra.tiny.home/index.html