I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen brand make a difference, especially with color fade and tile consistency.
Prep is huge, no doubt, but some of the cheaper brands I tried on a few properties chipped way faster than Eagle or Boral. Maybe it’s less of an issue in milder climates, but up here, the freeze/thaw cycles can really mess with lower-end tiles. Just my two cents from juggling a bunch of roofs over the years.“I’d say don’t get too hung up on which tile brand is ‘best’—focus on the prep...”
- Seen a lot of tile roofs in rough shape, and honestly, brand isn’t always the main culprit.
- Prep and install matter, but I get what you’re saying about cheap tiles not holding up—especially with freeze/thaw.
- That said, I’ve inspected plenty of Eagle and Boral jobs with cracked or spalling tiles. Sometimes it’s the batch, sometimes it’s installer shortcuts, sometimes it’s just a brutal winter.
- Noticed that even pricier brands can get inconsistent, especially if the crew’s rushing or the underlayment’s not right.
- Had a place last year—Boral tiles, good rep, but half the ridge cracked after three seasons. Turns out they skipped expansion gaps and used the wrong fasteners.
- Color fade’s a toss-up. Some high-end tiles still bleach out in a few years if they’re in direct sun all day.
- If you’re in a tough climate, I’d look at warranty details and ask around about local supply quality. Sometimes the “big” brands cut corners when they’re cranking out product for a big order.
- Not saying brand doesn’t matter at all, but I wouldn’t hang my hat on it. Seen too many “top” brands fail from install or just bad luck with a batch.
- If you can, check a few roofs in your area that are 5-10 years old and see how they’re holding up. That’s usually more telling than the label on the crate.
Not saying brand doesn’t matter at all, but I wouldn’t hang my hat on it. Seen too many “top” brands fail from install or just bad luck with a batch.
That’s been my experience too. I went with a “name brand” (Eagle) thinking I was playing it safe, but after one rough winter, a bunch of tiles started chipping. Turns out the crew rushed the install and didn’t bother with proper flashing in a few spots. The warranty didn’t help much since they blamed “installation error.” If I had to do it again, I’d spend more time vetting the crew than picking the tile.
I’ve seen this play out a lot—people focus on the brand, but the install makes or breaks the roof. I get why folks lean toward “big names” like Eagle or Boral, but honestly, even the best tile will fail if the crew cuts corners. I’ve inspected roofs where the tiles themselves were fine, but poor underlayment or shoddy flashing led to leaks and early wear.
If you’re set on tile, I’d say look for a manufacturer with a proven track record in your region—climate makes a huge difference. But I’d spend more time checking references for the installer and making sure they’ve done similar roofs nearby. Some contractors rush jobs or use subs who don’t know tile, and that’s where things go sideways.
One thing I always suggest: ask to see a few jobs they did five or ten years ago. If those roofs are holding up, that’s a good sign. Brands matter to a point, but workmanship matters a whole lot more.
I get where you’re coming from about install being key, but I’m not sure the brand is just a minor thing—at least not everywhere. I had a neighbor swap out some old tiles for a cheaper brand, and they started fading and getting brittle after just a couple years (we’re in the Southwest, so brutal sun). The crew did a decent job, but the tiles themselves just couldn’t hack it. I still think picking a tile that’s proven for your climate matters almost as much as who’s putting it on.
