Tile is the right answer for a specific set of homes. Mediterranean, Spanish, and Southwestern architecture wear it well, and on the right house nothing else looks correct. It is also among the longest-lived roofing materials available.
Clay and concrete
Clay holds its color permanently because the color is the material rather than a coating. It is the traditional product and the more expensive one.
Concrete is less costly, available in more profiles and colors, and heavier. The surface color can fade over decades in a way clay does not.
The structural question comes first
Tile is heavy. Substantially heavier than asphalt, and heavier than most homes framed for asphalt were designed to carry. Before we quote a tile roof on a home that does not already have one, the structure has to be evaluated, and in some cases reinforced.
We will tell you honestly if your house is not a good candidate. Putting tile on a structure that cannot carry it is not a roofing decision, it is a structural one, and it is not worth the risk for the look.
What actually keeps the water out
On a tile roof, the tile is the wear surface and the ultimate water barrier is the underlayment beneath it. This has a practical consequence: tile commonly outlives the underlayment under it. A tile roof can need the underlayment replaced while the tile itself is still perfectly good, which means lifting, stacking, and relaying the tile.
Anyone quoting you a tile roof should be explaining the underlayment they are using, because that is the component that determines when you will be back up there.
Repairs
Individual cracked or slipped tiles are a common and straightforward repair. Walking a tile roof incorrectly breaks more tile than it fixes, which is a good reason not to send someone up there who does not work on them regularly.
Common questions
Can my house support a tile roof?+
It depends on the framing. Tile is significantly heavier than asphalt, and a home framed for shingles may need structural evaluation and possibly reinforcement. We will assess it and tell you honestly, including when the answer is no.
How long does a tile roof last?+
The tile itself can last fifty years or more. The underlayment beneath it will not, and that is usually what drives the next major service. Plan on the underlayment being the limiting component.
Is tile a good idea in hail country?+
Tile can crack under large hail, and individual tiles are replaceable. The bigger consideration for most Oklahoma homes is the structural weight, which we evaluate before quoting.
Can you repair just a few broken tiles?+
Yes, and it is a common repair. Matching older tile can take some sourcing, and we will tell you upfront what the match will look like.