Would tile roofs survive a harsh winter up north?

- Tile can be tricky, yeah, but I’ve seen some Spanish-style homes in Minnesota hold up with the right prep.
- Key’s really in the underlayment and making sure snow guards are in place.
- Tiles themselves are fragile, but if you have a steep enough pitch and routine inspections, they can last.
- Metal’s definitely lower maintenance, though - no arguing with that when it comes to ice dams.
- Still, I wouldn’t fully count tile out for northern winters… just takes more TLC.

I’ve actually helped on a couple tile installs up here (northern WI), and yeah, prep is everything. We used a double layer of ice & water shield under the tiles, plus beefy snow guards. One thing I’m still not sure about - how do folks handle repairs when a tile cracks mid-winter? Seems like getting up there with all that ice would be sketchy. Anyone ever tried temporary fixes until spring, or is it just wait it out?

Yeah, cracked tiles in winter are a pain. I’ve seen folks try to tape over the crack with waterproof tape as a stopgap, but honestly, it’s usually just damage control until spring. Getting up there with ice is risky - sometimes it’s safer to just monitor for leaks and wait it out. If you can safely reach it from a window or with a long pole, maybe you can cover it temporarily, but I wouldn’t push it.

If you’re dealing with cracked tiles in the dead of winter, I’d say you’re right to be cautious about climbing up there. I’ve seen more than a few folks try the waterproof tape trick - sometimes it helps, sometimes it just peels off after a freeze-thaw cycle. If you can reach the spot safely, a piece of heavy-duty plastic tucked under the tile and weighed down can buy you some time. Just don’t wedge anything so tight it lifts the surrounding tiles. Honestly, most repairs are just holding patterns until the weather warms up... tile roofs can handle a lot, but winter up north is a real test.

- Seen a lot of tile roofs up here in the Midwest, and honestly, they’re a mixed bag in winter.
- Freeze-thaw cycles are brutal - water gets in those little cracks, then expands, and suddenly you’ve got more than just a hairline to worry about.
- I’ve watched folks try everything from tarps to that “miracle” tape. Sometimes it holds for a month, sometimes it’s flapping in the wind by morning.
- Heavy-duty plastic is decent as a stopgap, but if you don’t weigh it down right, snow just slides it off. Had that happen last January - woke up to plastic halfway down the yard.
- Main thing I tell people: don’t wedge anything under the tiles too tight. You’ll end up with more broken ones when things shift or ice builds up.
- Most repairs this time of year are just buying time until spring. No point risking life and limb on an icy roof unless water’s pouring in.

Curious - has anyone actually had insurance cover cracked tiles from winter damage? I’ve seen claims get denied because they call it “wear and tear,” not storm damage. Seems like a gray area.

Also, does anyone use those heated cables along the eaves? I’ve heard mixed reviews - some say they help with ice dams, others say they just move the problem further up the roof. Wondering if that’s worth trying or just another gimmick.

For what it’s worth, I’d rather deal with asphalt shingles in winter than tile, but maybe that’s just me being cautious after seeing too many cracked Spanish tiles after a rough freeze. Anyone actually prefer tile up north?

Insurance is a headache with tile roofs up here. Most of the time, unless a tree falls or hail smashes them, they’ll call it “maintenance.” I’ve seen a few folks get lucky after a big storm, but it’s rare. Heated cables can help with ice dams, but yeah, sometimes you just end up moving the ice line higher. Honestly, I’d take shingles over tile in these winters too - less drama when the freeze-thaw hits.

- Insurance calling most tile roof issues “maintenance” is a pain. I’ve had similar pushback - unless it’s a tree or major hail, they won’t budge.
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“Heated cables can help with ice dams, but yeah, sometimes you just end up moving the ice line higher.”

I tried heated cables last year. Helped a bit, but honestly, just made the ice dam form further up. Not sure it’s worth the electric bill.
- Tile looks great, but up here (northern MN), the freeze-thaw cycle is brutal. I’ve seen a neighbor’s tile crack after just a couple winters. Repairs aren’t cheap, either.
- Shingles aren’t perfect, but at least patching is easier and insurance seems less picky. I replaced a few after a windstorm and it was way less hassle.
- Curious if anyone’s had luck with synthetic tiles or metal that looks like tile? I want the look, but not the headaches or cost.
- For me, budget wins out. Shingles might not last as long, but the upfront and repair costs are way easier to swallow. Just my two cents.

I get the appeal of shingles from a cost and repair standpoint, but I’m not totally convinced they’re always the better choice for harsh winters. Up here (central WI), I’ve seen plenty of shingle roofs get trashed after a couple of bad windstorms or just from ice damming year after year. The patching is easier, sure, but it feels like I’m always up there fixing something or worrying about leaks around vents and chimneys.

Tile does seem like a headache with insurance, and yeah, the freeze-thaw cycle is rough. But I’ve also noticed that not all tile is created equal. My cousin in Duluth had concrete tiles put on about 10 years ago - he swears by them. No cracks yet, but he did mention the install was super important (extra underlayment, good flashing, etc.). Maybe it’s luck, or maybe just better prep? I do wonder if some of the issues are from rushed installs or using tiles not rated for our climate.

On the synthetic side, I looked at DaVinci and Brava when I was re-roofing last year. The price was a shock, but the samples felt tough, and supposedly they handle freeze-thaw better than real clay or concrete. No personal experience, though. Metal’s another option - my neighbor has a metal roof stamped to look like tile. From the street, you can’t really tell it’s not actual tile, and he says snow slides right off. Only thing is, it was way pricier than asphalt, and the noise during rain takes getting used to.

I guess for me, I’m still on the fence. Shingles are cheaper up front, but I’m tired of patching after every storm. If I could swing the budget, I’d probably go with one of the better synthetics or metal, just to avoid the constant repairs. Not sure there’s a perfect answer for northern winters... everything’s got some trade-off.

I hear you on the shingle headaches - mine barely made it through last winter without a patch job. Ice dams are brutal, and I’m always nervous about leaks around the chimney too. I’ve looked into metal and synthetic as well, but the cost is a real hurdle. One thing I noticed with tile (at least around here) is that if the install isn’t spot-on, you’re asking for trouble. My neighbor’s clay tiles cracked after just a couple of winters, but another guy down the street with concrete tiles hasn’t had issues - he swears it’s all about the underlayment and flashing. Kind of makes me think the installer matters as much as the material. Still, every option seems to have its own set of trade-offs up north...