Interesting to hear about MCA tiles holding up better. I've been researching Eagle and Boral mostly, but hadn't really considered MCA yet. Do you think the better aging you've seen with MCA is mostly due to their clay material, or could it be related to the tile profile itself? Curious if anyone's noticed a clear difference between clay and concrete tiles in terms of long-term durability...
I've seen a fair share of roofs after storms, and honestly, clay tiles generally do seem to hold up better long-term compared to concrete. MCA's clay material probably plays a big role—clay tiles just handle weathering and UV exposure differently. Concrete can be solid too, but I've noticed it tends to fade and become brittle faster, especially in harsh climates. Tile profile matters somewhat, but if durability is your main concern, I'd lean toward clay...just my two cents from experience.
Yeah, clay tiles definitely have an edge durability-wise, especially in extreme weather. I remember inspecting two roofs after a nasty hailstorm—same neighborhood, same storm. The concrete roof looked like someone took a hammer to it, while the clay tiles barely had a scratch...pretty telling.
That's pretty interesting about the hailstorm comparison. I've worked with both clay and concrete tiles quite a bit, and while I agree clay usually holds up better to severe weather, I've seen some concrete roofs do surprisingly well too—especially if they're from a high-quality manufacturer. Makes me curious about the brands involved in your inspection.
Speaking of brands, has anyone had experience with Ludowici or MCA tiles? I've heard good things about their clay products, but haven't personally dealt with them much. Wondering how they stack up in real-world conditions compared to other popular brands like Eagle or Boral. Sometimes the marketing hype doesn't match the actual performance...
"Sometimes the marketing hype doesn't match the actual performance..."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've looked into Ludowici tiles myself, and while they seem impressive, the price tag made my wallet cry a little. MCA seems slightly more budget-friendly, but still pretty steep compared to Eagle or Boral. From what I've gathered, Ludowici has a solid reputation for durability and aesthetics, but honestly, I'm skeptical if the extra cost is justified for most homeowners.
A neighbor of mine installed Eagle concrete tiles about five years ago, and they've held up surprisingly well through some nasty storms. Sure, they're not as fancy as Ludowici, but for the price difference, I'd say they're a solid bet. Sometimes it feels like you're paying more for the brand name than actual performance. If money wasn't an issue, maybe I'd lean toward Ludowici, but realistically, Eagle or Boral seem to offer better bang for your buck. Just my two cents...
