I’ve seen a few tile roofs up here in the north, and honestly, they’re kind of rare for a reason. Had a client with old clay tiles—looked gorgeous but every spring he’d call me out to check for cracks and shifting. The freeze-thaw cycles just beat them up unless you’ve got the right type, like you mentioned. Even then, you really need a structure that can handle the weight. Saw one job where they tried to retrofit clay on a ranch from the ‘60s… let’s just say sagging rafters are no joke.
Concrete tile’s better, but still heavy and not totally immune to shifting or ice dams. If you’re set on the look, there are some synthetic options now that mimic tile but weigh less and hold up better in cold weather. I get why folks want tile—it’s classic—but up here, I usually see asphalt or metal win out once people start looking at costs, snow load, and long-term headaches. Not impossible, just takes extra planning (and deep pockets).
Had a neighbor who tried to put real clay tile on his place a few years back—looked like something out of Tuscany until the first winter hit. By February, he was up there with a broom every other week trying to knock down icicles and check for cracks. I’ll admit, it was pretty, but after seeing the repair bills and the stress, I stuck with my boring old asphalt. If you’re dead set on that tile vibe, those synthetic ones are worth a look. Way less drama when the snow piles up... plus your rafters won’t be crying for mercy.
- Clay tile can work up north, but it’s all about the install and the structure underneath.
- Seen a few places with reinforced framing and proper underlayment—those roofs held up fine, even with heavy snow.
- Maintenance is higher, no doubt, but some folks are willing to trade that for the look.
- Synthetic tiles are easier, but they don’t always fool the eye up close.
- If you’re set on real tile, just budget for extra support and regular checks... it’s not impossible, just more work.
I’ve got a neighbor who put in clay tile up here in Minnesota, and honestly, it looks amazing—like a little slice of Spain in a snow globe. But he’s always up there after storms, checking for cracks or shifting tiles. He did have to beef up his rafters, which wasn’t cheap. I’m tempted by the look, but I’m not sure I want to be on a ladder every spring. Anyone else notice ice dams are worse with tile, or is that just his setup?
He did have to beef up his rafters, which wasn’t cheap.
That “little slice of Spain in a snow globe” line cracked me up. I’ve looked into tile for our place (central MN), but the cost to reinforce the rafters was a dealbreaker. Plus, I’ve heard tile can make ice dams worse if your attic insulation isn’t dialed in. Has your neighbor done anything special for ventilation or heat cables, or is he just dealing with it as-is? I wonder if that’s making the maintenance worse for him.
