Been thinking about tile roofs lately since we're planning to redo ours next spring. Problem is, we get some pretty harsh winters here, and I've heard horror stories about tiles cracking or popping off when temps drop below freezing. Anyway, talked to a buddy who does roofing, and he gave me a neat tip: apparently, the trick is all in the underlayment and proper ventilation. He said if you use a high-quality waterproof membrane underneath and make sure there's enough airflow beneath the tiles, it helps prevent moisture buildup that freezes and cracks the tiles.
He also mentioned something about choosing tiles specifically rated for cold climates—didn't even know that was a thing, honestly. Thought tile was tile, you know? But I guess not.
Curious if anyone else has dealt with this issue or has other tips to share. Maybe there's some other tricks or products out there I haven't heard of yet...
Interesting, I hadn't thought about the ventilation aspect much until you mentioned it. A few years back, we had a similar issue at one of the properties I manage. The tiles kept cracking every winter, and we initially blamed it on poor quality tiles. Turns out, after some digging around (literally), the real culprit was moisture getting trapped underneath because the attic wasn't venting properly. We ended up installing ridge vents and improving the soffit ventilation, and that pretty much solved our problem.
Now I'm wondering about those cold-climate rated tiles you mentioned—are they significantly pricier than regular ones? And do they look any different aesthetically? I'd be curious to know if anyone's actually noticed a difference in durability or lifespan with them compared to standard tiles...
Glad you brought up ventilation—it's honestly one of those things people overlook way too often. I've inspected a bunch of roofs where folks spent a fortune on premium tiles, only to have them crack because the attic was basically a moisture trap. Ridge vents and soffit improvements usually do the trick, so good call there.
As for cold-climate tiles, yeah, they're typically pricier, but not outrageously so. Aesthetically, they're pretty similar—maybe slightly thicker or heavier-looking, but nothing drastic. Durability-wise though, I've seen them hold up noticeably better in harsh winters. Worth considering if your winters are brutal...
