I've had similar thoughts myself. When we replaced our roof a couple years back, I went with Boral tiles after researching Ludowici and MCA. Here's my take: Ludowici does look amazing, but unless you're going for historical accuracy or prestige, the premium price doesn't seem worth it. Boral's been rock solid so far—no leaks, no cracks—and honestly looks pretty good too. Sometimes mid-range is just the smarter choice...
"Sometimes mid-range is just the smarter choice..."
Agreed, though I'd caution against generalizing too much. Had a client install MCA tiles about five years ago—initially skeptical myself—but they've held up surprisingly well. Mid-range often makes sense, but occasionally premium does justify itself long-term.
Mid-range is usually solid, but I've seen cases where budget tiles surprised everyone. Worked on a roof with Eagle tiles—pretty affordable stuff—and 8 years later, they're still holding strong. Sometimes price doesn't tell the whole story...
I inspected a place a few years back that had Ludowici tiles—premium brand, pricey stuff—and sure enough, they were great quality. But the neighbor had gone with some cheaper Boral tiles around the same time, and honestly, when I checked both roofs last year, you couldn't tell much difference in wear. Proper installation matters just as much as brand. Sometimes those budget-friendly options hold their own better than you'd expect...
Interesting point about installation being key, but I've gotta say... my experience with budget tiles was a bit different. A few years back, we went with a cheaper brand (can't remember the exact name, something like Eagle or West-something?), and at first they looked great. But after just five years, some tiles started fading unevenly and a couple even cracked during a hailstorm—not even a big storm, mind you, just your average spring hail.
Meanwhile, my neighbor's pricier Ludowici roof still looks pristine after almost ten years—no fading, no cracks. Maybe we just had bad luck or a subpar installer (though the guy seemed legit). I agree that installation matters a lot, but sometimes paying extra for quality materials can save headaches down the road. Not saying budget tiles can't hold up, just that it's definitely hit-or-miss... at least in my experience.
