Guide to Tile Roofing

Looking for a roofing material with a real history? Tile has been around since as early as Neolithic China in 10,000 B.C.. This distinctive roofing style offers durability, easy maintenance, and insulation benefits.

Popular Tile Roof Materials

Tired of the same old asphalt? Tile provides a striking alternative and can last for generations. Tile roofing comes in a range of materials, each with their own pros and cons:

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• Cement: An update on an old style, cement tile production began in Bavaria around the middle of the 19th century. The heavy tiles often require additional roof reinforcement.
• Slate: Fireproof yet fragile, these heavy tiles offer a beautiful, distinctive look, and must be carefully installed.
• Concrete fiber: These reinforced tiles have the look of clay or slate without the weight.
• Metal: This popular tile material comes in metals including tin, copper, steel and aluminum. The tiles are lighter than clay or stone, but they still require a professional installation.
• Clay: The original choice for tile roofing, clay is heavier than other materials but is built to last. In Asia and Europe, you can find centuries-old clay tiled roofs that have retained their beauty.

Your location and budget have the biggest impact on the material you choose. Contact a tile contractor near you and learn more about how different roofing materials perform in your area.

Tile Roof Prices and Costs

Basic prices for tile vary based on the material you choose, from inexpensive concrete to high-end stone or clay. Each of the following prices is per square foot:

• Concrete tiles: $4.50 to $9
• Deluxe concrete: $7 to $10
• Clay tiles: $7 to $10
• Deluxe clay: $10 to $30

If you're removing asphalt on your roof in order to prepare for tile, keep in mind that the labor charge of removing and disposing of shingles ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot. Consider the extra cost of freight shipping if you live far from the tile manufacturer: shipping can add $600 to $1,000 to the cost. Lastly, reinforcing your roof supports to hold up a heavy tile roof can cost $1,000 to $10,000 or more.

These prices are ballpark estimates gathered from recent quotes. To get a better sense of tile roofing prices, seek out price quotes from local roofing contractors and installers.