That’s spot on about airflow. I’ve seen homeowners stuff insulation right up to the eaves, thinking it’ll help, but all it does is trap heat and moisture. Out of curiosity, did you end up adding baffles or just pull the insulation back? Also, what kind of underlayment are you using beneath those tiles? Some of the newer synthetic stuff seems to handle freeze/thaw cycles better than old felt, but I’m not totally sold on it yet.
- Ran into this exact issue after a bad ice storm last year.
- Pulled insulation back and added baffles—made a huge difference in attic temps and stopped the frost buildup.
- Tried synthetic underlayment (GAF Deck-Armor) under my clay tiles. It held up better than felt during freeze/thaw, but I did notice it can get slick if there’s any condensation.
- Honestly, I’m still not 100% sure it’ll outlast old-school felt, but so far, no leaks or weird smells.
- Wouldn’t skip the baffles though... moisture’s a nightmare up here if you don’t vent right.
Baffles really are a game changer for attic moisture—totally agree there. I’ve tried both felt and synthetic underlayment too, and honestly, I’m still on the fence. The synthetics seem tougher in theory, but like you said, they get slick and I’ve seen some weird curling after a couple seasons. Still, no leaks is a good sign. Up here, venting right is half the battle... skip that and you’re asking for trouble. Sounds like you’re on the right track.
I’m curious—has anyone actually seen tile roofs hold up through a full-on northern winter? I get that they’re super durable in theory, but with all the freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snow loads, I wonder if the tiles crack or shift over time. Also, does underlayment choice make a bigger difference with tile than with shingles? I’ve only worked with asphalt so far, so just trying to wrap my head around how tile would handle ice dams and all that mess.
- Totally get where you’re coming from. That freeze-thaw cycle is no joke up north.
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Yeah, some older tile roofs in my area (Minnesota) have had issues with cracked tiles, especially if they weren’t installed right. But I’ve seen a couple that are still holding up after 30+ winters—guess it really comes down to install and tile type.“I wonder if the tiles crack or shift over time.”
- Underlayment’s a huge deal with tile, maybe even more than shingles. The guys I’ve worked with swear by synthetic underlayment for extra ice dam protection.
- Tile’s heavy, so the framing’s gotta be up to code for snow loads. Saw one house where they skipped that and... let’s just say, not pretty.
- Don’t let it scare you off though. If you’re curious, maybe try a small project or talk to someone local who’s done it. It’s a learning curve but kinda cool to see something different than asphalt.
