I’m still a bit wary about tile, honestly. My neighbor had a bunch of cracked tiles after last winter and the repairs weren’t cheap. Maybe it depends on the installer, but up here (Vermont) it just seems risky. Metal’s expensive, yeah, but I’d rather deal with noise than constant repairs.
Had a buddy try tile here in Maine—looked great until the first ice dam. After that, he was up there with a hammer and some choice words every spring. I’ll take the metal roof symphony over cracked tiles any day, honestly.
I get the appeal of tile, but up here, it just doesn’t make sense to me. The freeze-thaw cycle is brutal—cracks are almost guaranteed. Have you looked into green roofs or living roofs at all? They handle insulation way better and you don’t get that ice dam headache. Curious if anyone’s tried those in a cold climate like Maine...
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Curious if anyone’s tried those in a cold climate like Maine...
- Tried a green roof on my garage in central Vermont (not Maine, but close enough weather-wise). Here’s what I found:
- Insulation is way better than asphalt or metal. Kept the space warmer in winter, cooler in summer.
- Weight is a big deal. Had to reinforce rafters—cost more than I expected.
- Maintenance isn’t zero. Weeds, drainage, and making sure the membrane doesn’t leak... it’s not “set it and forget it.”
- Snow load can get tricky. The plants go dormant, but you’re still dealing with a lot of weight up there.
- Tile just doesn’t make sense up here, honestly. Freeze-thaw will wreck it unless you’re using some super high-end stuff, and even then, repairs are a pain.
- Ice dams were less of an issue with the green roof, but you still need good ventilation and insulation underneath.
- If you’re thinking about it, get a structural engineer to check your framing first. That’s the step most folks skip and regret later.
- Not cheap, but if you want something different and have the budget, it’s doable. Just don’t expect zero headaches.
Tile just doesn’t make sense up here, honestly. Freeze-thaw will wreck it unless you’re using some super high-end stuff, and even then, repairs are a pain.
That’s been my experience too—tile looks great, but the constant freeze-thaw cycles up north are brutal. I’ve seen a few homes try it with concrete or clay tile, and even with the best underlayment, you get cracks and shifting over time. The weight is another thing people underestimate, especially when you add heavy snow on top. Reinforcing the structure isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a must.
I’m curious if anyone’s tried some of the newer composite or synthetic tiles that claim to handle cold climates better. They’re supposed to be lighter and more flexible, but I haven’t seen them in action through a full Maine or Vermont winter yet. Anyone have long-term results with those? I’d love to know if they actually hold up or if it’s just marketing hype.