I hear you on the installer issue. Around here (central Colorado), it’s the same story—lots of folks pushing composite or “lifetime” roofs, but when you ask who’s actually put one on, it’s crickets. I looked into Boral and Eagle for concrete tile, mostly because they’re pretty common in the Mountain West, and at least you can find crews who’ve done a few. The weight is a pain, though. My neighbor had to beef up his rafters just to swap out old shake for tile, which added a chunk to his bill.
If you’re budget-minded like me, here’s what I’d suggest:
1. Figure out what your house can handle weight-wise. If you’re already framed for tile, that’s a big plus. If not, the structural work can get pricey fast.
2. Ask around for local roofers who’ve done more than one or two installs with your preferred material. I found that some crews will say “sure, we do tile,” but really they’re shingle guys who watched a YouTube video.
3. Get references and actually drive by those jobs if you can. I caught a couple of issues on a neighbor’s roof (crooked rows, chipped tiles) that made me rethink who I was going to hire.
4. Don’t skip the underlayment. I know it’s tempting to save a few bucks, but in our climate, ice and water shield is non-negotiable. I went with synthetic underlayment and haven’t had any leaks, even with snow sitting up there for weeks.
5. Maintenance is still a thing. I thought tile would be “set it and forget it,” but I’ve had to replace a few cracked pieces after hail. Not a huge deal, but worth keeping a couple of spares in the garage.
I’m still skeptical about composites, too. They look great, but I want to see how they hold up after 20+ years of sun, snow, and wind. For now, concrete tile’s been solid for me, but I wouldn’t call it low-maintenance or cheap. Just less hassle than some of the alternatives, at least in my experience.
I found that some crews will say “sure, we do tile,” but really they’re shingle guys who watched a YouTube video.
That’s the truth. I’ve seen too many “tile jobs” done by folks who clearly had no clue—wavy lines, broken corners, you name it. Boral and Eagle are solid picks, but honestly, even the best tile won’t save you from a bad install. I’d add: don’t get talked into skipping battens if your pitch allows. Direct-deck installs can be a headache down the line, especially with freeze/thaw cycles. And yeah, tile isn’t maintenance-free... hail will find a way.
I’ve noticed the same thing—tile can look amazing or just... off, depending on who puts it in. I went with Eagle for my place in Texas, and the tiles themselves have held up, but I had to chase down a couple cracked ones after a hailstorm last year. Agree on battens—my installer was old-school and swore by them, and I’m glad I listened. Maintenance is definitely a thing, though. I check for slipped or broken tiles every spring, just in case.
Eagle’s decent, but I’ve seen their tiles crack more than I’d like after big hail—especially in Texas and Oklahoma. Honestly, I’m not convinced any brand is totally “hail-proof,” no matter what the marketing says. I’ve inspected a bunch of roofs after storms, and it’s almost always the install that makes or breaks things. Battens help, but if the underlayment isn’t solid or the tiles aren’t spaced right, you’ll get problems sooner or later.
I’ve had clients with Boral and Ludowici too. Boral seems to chip at the edges, but Ludowici holds up better—though you pay for it. Maintenance is just part of the deal with tile. I tell folks to walk the roof (carefully) every spring and after any big storm. Even a small slip can let water in over time.
If you’re in a hail zone, honestly, I’d consider impact-resistant shingles or even metal before tile. But if you love the look, just budget for repairs now and then. That’s been my experience, anyway.
I’m not convinced any brand is totally “hail-proof,” no matter what the marketing says.
That lines up with what I’ve seen so far. We bought our place in Colorado last year and inherited a concrete tile roof—Eagle, I think, though I’m still learning to spot the differences. First big hailstorm this spring, and sure enough, a few tiles cracked near the ridge. Installer blamed the storm, but honestly, I suspect some of it was how the tiles were set. The underlayment was decent, but there were a couple spots where the overlap looked off.
I did a lot of research before buying, and Ludowici kept coming up as the “gold standard,” but the price was just out of reach for us. I agree, Boral seems to chip at the edges—noticed that on a neighbor’s house after a windstorm, too. Maintenance is definitely ongoing. I’m not wild about climbing up there, but after seeing how a tiny crack can let water in, I get why people say to check after every storm.
If I could do it over, I might have pushed for metal, but the look of tile is hard to beat. Just wish it was a little more forgiving in hail country.