Tile Roofing

Tile Roofing That Outlasts the Home

Tile roofing is one of the oldest roofing materials in the world, and it remains one of the best. Clay tiles found on European buildings have lasted 500 years. Modern clay and concrete tile roofs routinely last 50 to 100 years with minimal maintenance. The material is fireproof, insect-proof, rot-proof, and resistant to wind, hail, and salt air. The trade-off is weight — tile is heavy, and the roof structure must be designed or reinforced to carry it.

We install clay and concrete tile roofing on homes, custom builds, and historic restorations. Our crews understand the structural requirements, the underlayment details, and the cutting and fitting techniques that make a tile roof both beautiful and watertight.

Clay Tile vs. Concrete Tile

The two main tile materials differ in weight, cost, and appearance.

Feature	Clay tile	Concrete tile
Material	Natural clay, kiln-fired	Cement, sand, and water molded
Weight	600 – 800 lbs per square	800 – 1,200 lbs per square
Lifespan	75 – 100+ years	40 – 60 years
Cost per square	$700 – $1,200	$400 – $700
Color retention	Excellent — color goes through the tile	Good — surface coating may fade
Fire rating	Class A (non-combustible)	Class A (non-combustible)
Best for	Spanish, Mediterranean, mission style	Budget tile look, any style

Clay tile is the premium choice — lighter, longer-lasting, and colorfast for life. Concrete tile costs less and offers a wider range of profiles but is heavier and may fade over decades. Both are excellent roofing materials when properly installed.

How We Install a Tile Roof

Tile roofing demands a specific installation sequence. The tile is not the waterproofing layer — the underlayment is. This is the single most important concept in tile roofing.

1. Structural assessment — we verify the roof structure can support tile loads (600 to 1,200 lbs per square); reinforcement is added if needed
2. Deck preparation — clean, dry substrate with no gaps or protrusions
3. Underlayment — double-layer underlayment system: base sheet plus high-temperature cap sheet; ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys
4. Battens or direct-deck — horizontal battens spaced to match the tile overlap, or direct-deck application for interlocking tiles
5. Tile installation — tiles laid from the eave up, each row overlapping the one below; field tiles cut at hips, ridges, and valleys with a wet saw
6. Ridge and hip caps — special curved or flat tiles set over mortar or mechanical clips at ridges and hips
7. Valley treatment — open valleys with metal valley flashing, or closed-cut valleys with interlocking tiles
8. Flashing — step flashing at walls, counter flashing at chimneys, pipe boot collars — all integrated with the underlayment system, not the tile surface

Tile Roofing Costs

Component	Typical range
Concrete tile system	$15,000 – $35,000
Clay tile system	$25,000 – $60,000
Structural reinforcement (if needed)	$3,000 – $10,000
Tear-off of old roofing	$2,000 – $5,000
Double underlayment system	$2,000 – $4,000
Flashing and trim	$1,500 – $4,000

Tile roofing costs more upfront than shingles or metal, but the 50 to 100 year lifespan means most homeowners never replace the roof again. The tile itself outlasts the underlayment, and re-roofing a tile roof means lifting the tiles, replacing the underlayment, and reinstalling the same tiles.

How Long Tile Roofs Last

• Clay tile: 75 – 100+ years; the oldest known clay tile roofs are centuries old
• Concrete tile: 40 – 60 years; surface coating may fade but the tile itself remains structurally sound
• Underlayment: 25 – 40 years; the weak link in any tile roof; re-roofing means underlayment replacement, not tile replacement

The tile itself does not rot, warp, crack from UV exposure, or burn. The underlayment underneath is what eventually needs replacement. A well-maintained tile roof with periodic underlayment checks can last the life of the building.

Maintaining a Tile Roof

• Inspect annually for cracked, chipped, or displaced tiles — replace damaged tiles immediately
• Clear debris from valleys and gutters so water flows freely
• Check flashing and sealant joints at penetrations every two years
• Do not power-wash the tiles — high pressure can damage the surface; use low-pressure soft washing
• Walk on the tiles carefully, stepping on the lower third where they are supported by the batten
• Trim overhanging branches to prevent impact damage and moss growth

Tile Roofing Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Longest lifespan of any common roofing material — 50 to 100+ years
• Class A fire rating — non-combustible in every form
• Excellent wind and hail resistance
• Energy efficient — natural air gap under tiles provides insulation
• Adds significant property value and curb appeal
• Available in dozens of colors, profiles, and styles

Cons:

• Heavy — requires structural support that adds cost to new construction and makes retrofitting expensive
• Higher upfront cost than shingles, metal, or flat membranes
• Fragile underfoot — tiles can crack under concentrated weight
• Specialized installation — not every roofer has tile experience
• Long lead times for replacement tiles if a custom color or profile is needed

Tile roofing is a generational investment. Call us or request a free estimate — we will assess your structure, show you tile options, and give you a detailed quote.

Concrete Tile vs. Clay Tile

Factor	Concrete tile	Clay tile
Material	Cement, sand, water	Natural clay, kiln-fired
Weight	9 – 12 lbs per sq ft	8 – 12 lbs per sq ft
Lifespan	40 – 60 years	75 – 100+ years
Cost per square	$400 – $800 installed	$600 – $1,200 installed
Color options	Many — integral pigment	Natural clay colors — terracotta, brown, gray
Freeze-thaw resistance	Good — sealed concrete	Excellent — fired clay
Maintenance	Seal every 5 years	Virtually maintenance-free

Concrete tile is the more affordable option and offers a wide range of colors and profiles. Clay tile costs more upfront but lasts significantly longer and is the traditional choice in Mediterranean, Spanish, and Mission-style architecture. Both materials are non-combustible, energy efficient, and resistant to rot and insects.

Tile Roof Installation Requirements

Tile roofing requires specific installation techniques:

• Structural support — the roof framing must support 9 to 15 pounds per square foot; many homes require reinforcement
• Underlayment — high-temperature underlayment rated for tile applications; standard underlayment degrades under tile
• Fastening — tiles are held by Clips and fasteners at the eaves, rakes, and ridges; field tiles are often laid loose or with minimal fastening
• Starter course — mortar-set or mechanically fastened starter tiles at the eaves
• Ridge and hip — mortar-set ridge tiles or mechanically fastened ridge systems
• Flashings — lead or copper flashings at all penetrations and transitions
• Valley treatment — either an open valley with metal valley flashing or a closed-cut valley with tiles

Tile roof installation is specialized work. Improper installation leads to cracked tiles, leaks, and structural failure. We install tile roofs with crews trained specifically in tile methods.