What Are Clay Roof Tiles?
Clay tiles are made of all natural materials and will maintain their rich, warm, earth tones for 100 years or more.
Clay tiles are also class-A fire rated and will not burn. This type of roofing is easy to maintain and you will be able to find a state or federal tax credit for a clay roof installation since they are considered an energy efficient roof type.
They are a popular choice for homes in hot climates. While it is most common to find clay roof shingles on homes in Florida or California, they work well in multiple climates and combine nicely with both more traditional and more modern home exteriors.
Let’s take a look at the cost, advantages and disadvantages, and other important things to know about clay roofing.
Types of Clay Tile Roofs
You might expect clay roofing to only be made out, well, clay. In actuality, clay shingles can be made from several different materials. They can also be shaped in many ways, even to look like wood shakes. Each material comes with pros and cons.
Terracotta Clay
Pros:
- Beautiful aesthetics that can enhance curb appeal.
- Very durable. Terracotta is fire-resistant, does not rot, and is not susceptible to damage from insects.
- Lifespan of 50-100 years.
- All-natural materials make it environmentally friendly in addition to being energy-efficient.
Cons:
- Quite costly. Terracotta is one of the most expensive roof materials.
- The weight of terracotta means you may need to reinforce your roof’s structural supports before installation, which adds to your overall project costs.
Concrete
Pros:
- Concrete tiles made to look like clay are much more affordable than terracotta.
- You can choose different colors or shingle styles when you work with concrete.
- Concrete is both durable and fire-resistant.
- Like terracotta, it is an energy-efficient material.
Cons:
- Terracotta is heavy, but concrete is even heavier. You may need to reinforce your roof’s structure.
- Since the concrete has color added to it instead of a natural color, it is prone to fading.
- Concrete can crack, chip, or break during extreme weather.
Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Pros:
- Unlike terracotta or regular concrete, it is lightweight.
- It is less prone to breaks, chips, and cracks than traditional concrete.
- Like concrete clay shingles, this material is energy-efficient, durable, and fire-rated.
- Comes in many colors and several different styles.
Cons:
- Though fiber reinforced concrete shingles are cheaper than terracotta shingles, they cost more than traditional concrete.
- Again, since this material has color added into it, that color can and will fade as it is exposed to the elements.
Ceramic
Pros:
- Like terracotta, ceramic clay roofing is beautiful.
- Comes in a range of colors and can be shaped in multiple ways.
- Ceramic clay roofing is quite durable. It often lasts over 100 years.
- Ceramic is also fire-rated, and like terracotta, resists both rot as well as damage from insects.
Cons:
- More expensive than either concrete or fiber reinforced concrete.
- Like many other materials on this list, clay is quite heavy. You may need to have your roof reinforced.
- Clay is particularly fragile, and the shingles can be damaged during transport and installation.
The material you choose will likely come down to your budget, how much weight your roof can support, and if your area sees any extreme weather like hurricanes. A roofing contractor can help you choose.
4 Clay Tile Roof Styles
When deciding on which style of clay roofing tiles you want installed, there are four main styles to choose from: mission style, interlocking shingle style, French style, and Spanish tile clay roofs.
Here’s what to know about each.
Mission Style
Mission style clay shingles are inspired by Spanish architecture. The tiles have an “S” shape and feature curved profiles, which also leads to their nickname — S-tile.
- Appearance: Mission style roofs have a distinctive and classic look. It has a rustic touch, and so pairs best with more traditional home styles.
- Benefits: They offer excellent water shedding capabilities, durability, and are compatible with a wide range of architectural styles.
- Considerations: Mission tiles are heavier than some other clay tile styles, necessitating a sturdy roof structure.
Interlocking Style
Interlocking clay tiles have raised ribs on the edges and channels on the underside, allowing them to interlock with neighboring tiles.
- Appearance: Interlocking tiles can range from a more traditional appearance to a more modern look thanks to the variety of shapes the tiles come in. You can choose an S-shaped mission style tile, a barrel-shaped tile, and more. Different surface textures and colors are also available.
- Benefits: Interlocking tiles provide enhanced water resistance and stability, making them great options for homes in regions with high winds or heavy rainfall.
- Considerations: The interlocking mechanism requires specific installation techniques and specialized accessories. Find a roofing contractor that has performed this type of installation before.
French Style
Also known as flat or Marseille tile, the French clay tile roof style features a low-profile design with a flat or slightly curved shape.
- Appearance: These tiles are typically rectangular or trapezoidal and have a smooth surface. It is well-suited to both rustic-style homes as well as modern homes.
- Benefits: French tiles are lighter weight than the other styles on this page, making them a good choice for homes whose roof structures can’t support heavier tiles.
- Considerations: They require careful installation to ensure water tightness due to their flat design.
Spanish Style
Spanish clay tiles have a barrel or semi-cylindrical shape. It gives the roofline a characteristic curve and overlap when installed.
- Appearance: These tiles exude a traditional Mediterranean or Spanish aesthetic, adding a sense of warmth and charm to a building’s exterior.
- Benefits: Spanish tiles offer good water resistance, durability, and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Considerations: The curved shape of Spanish tiles means an expert needs to install them. It is important for the tiles to be laid correctly so that water drains off the roof efficiently.
Clay Tile Roofing Costs
Clay Tile Roofs
Average Installation Cost $25,075 - $45,750
Cost Breakdown
- Materials 73.3%
- Labor 26.7%
The average cost to install a clay tile roof in 2024 is anywhere between $25,075 and $45,750 depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof.
The national average cost per square foot for clay tile roofing is $11.80, but can range between $8.35 to $15.25 or $835 to $1,525 per square (100 square feet) installed. These average price ranges include both materials and labor costs, and are based on a standard sized 3,000 square foot roof.
Keep in mind that costs will vary depending on local roof contractor’s pricing. This is a starting cost, and your contractor may charge more for demolition and removal of your old roof. Underlayment, drip edge, fascia, and gutters may be required during your roof replacement, which will also make the cost go up. View your potential roof installation cost savings with local contractors below.
Other Factors to Consider
Here are some other factors to consider before installing a clay tile roof on your home.
- Degree of Roof Slope. If your roof’s slope is less than 18 degrees, clay roofing tiles may not be the ideal material for your home in regards to water runoff and weight.
- Clay Tile Weight. Clay tiles are very heavy, and this is something to think about as you approach this project. Tiles are more than twice as heavy as asphalt shingles. So unless your home has previously had a tile roof, you will need to have your home evaluated by a structural engineer to make sure it can support the weight. If your home needs additional structural support, this could increase the cost of the clay roofing project by thousands of dollars.
- Clay Roofing Underlayment. One of the great things about clay tile roofs is that they last for a long time. However, the roof underlayment beneath them is not quite as staunch, and it will need to be replaced every 20 years. Tiles are also somewhat fragile in spite of their durability, so make sure you only allow experienced clay roof repairmen on your house, even for the most basic projects. The good news is that when it comes to maintenance, the most you will need to do (unless the tiles incur damage) is lightly rinse them once per year.
- Fastening. The main problem with clay tile roofing is usually improper fastening. There are two types of fastening systems for clay tile roofing – interlocking and overlapping. Interlocking clay tiles essentially hook onto each other. Overlapping must be nailed into place as they do not have a “lip” for attachment. Make sure that you collaborate closely with your clay tile roofing contractor to ensure your fastening system is problem free from the start.
Roof Maintenance
Though clay tiles are very durable, be sure to inspect your roof regularly and replace roofing materials of any cracked or chipped tiles immediately. Never pressure wash your tile roof. Instead, it should be washed and buffed by hand.
Consider hiring a professional clay tile roofing cleaner who is well-versed in how to move around on a clay tile roof and will be able to quickly and easily apply primers and paints to keep your roof cool and looking great without causing any damage in the process.
Energy Efficiency
Clay tiles are made from natural materials. Nearly all of the production waste – clay, water, and glaze – can be recycled and rejected or broken tiles can be crushed and reused.
Clay tiles can increase the energy efficiency of your home. They have natural thermal resistance from the raw materials from which they are created.
Since they are installed individually, rather than in sheets or in overlapping style, the natural airspace around the tiles creates a natural ventilation that provides a thermal barrier for heat transfer to the roof deck. This Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV) can result in greatly reduced heat flux transfer when compared to a baseline asphalt shingle.
This can assist in the movement of the peak load demands by several hours, which directly benefits those living in warm climates as well as those in cold conditions.
Finding Clay Tile Roof Installers
As you interview contractors, you want to make sure that the pro you choose has installed clay roof shingles before. If you know what shape or style tile you’re most interested in, ask about their experience with it. Modernize can pair you with up to four clay tile roof pros in your area by clicking below.
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