If you’re up north and thinking about skipping the membrane to save money… I’d say don’t risk it unless you really like climbing up there to swap out tiles every spring.
Honestly, this is the part people always gloss over. Tile roofs look amazing, but up here, “forever” is only as good as your prep work. I’ve seen more than a few folks try to cut corners on the underlayment or membrane, and every time, they end up regretting it. The freeze-thaw cycles just chew through anything that isn’t sealed up tight.
I get why some folks balk at the extra cost—it’s not pocket change. But if you’re already spending big on tile, skimping on the stuff underneath is like buying a fancy car and refusing to change the oil. Sure, you might get away with it for a bit, but eventually it’ll bite you.
That said, I’ve heard of people in milder climates getting away without a membrane for decades. Here? Not a chance. My uncle tried it once in Duluth... let’s just say he’s now very familiar with his local roofing supply store.
Couldn’t agree more with what you’re saying about prep work making or breaking a tile roof up north. I’ve seen the same thing—folks get excited about the look and longevity of tile, but then try to save a few bucks on the membrane or underlayment. It’s almost always a false economy. Once that first winter hits and water finds its way in, you’re looking at repairs that cost way more than just doing it right the first time.
I get why people hesitate, though. The price tag on quality membrane can be a shock, especially after you’ve already shelled out for the tiles themselves. But honestly, in places where you’re dealing with freeze-thaw cycles, ice dams, and heavy snow loads, skipping it is just asking for trouble. I’ve torn off roofs where the tiles looked fine from the street, but underneath was a mess—rotted decking, mold, you name it.
That said, I have seen some older homes around here where they got away with minimal underlayment for decades, but those are usually steep pitches with great ventilation and no valleys. Most modern builds aren’t set up that way. And even then, it’s kind of rolling the dice.
If someone’s really set on tile up north, I’d say budget for the full system—membrane, flashing, proper fasteners—the whole deal. It’s not cheap upfront, but it’s way less hassle (and expense) than dealing with leaks or having to replace sections every few years. Plus, if you do it right, you probably won’t have to think about your roof again for decades.
Anyway, just wanted to back up what you’re saying—cutting corners on the stuff you can’t see is almost always what comes back to haunt you later.
I’ve seen folks try to “go green” with tile up here, thinking it’s a forever roof, but like you said, the underlayment is where things fall apart. I’m curious—has anyone tried recycled rubber membranes as an eco-friendly base? Wondering if they hold up better in freeze-thaw than traditional options.
I’m curious—has anyone tried recycled rubber membranes as an eco-friendly base? Wondering if they hold up better in freeze-thaw than traditional options.
Good question. I’ve actually seen a few jobs where they used recycled rubber under tile, mostly on steeper slopes. The feedback’s mixed—seems like the rubber handles freeze-thaw cycles better than old-school felt, but it still depends a lot on install quality and how much water gets trapped. If the membrane isn’t sealed right at the edges, you can still get leaks or ice damming. I’d say it’s a step up from felt, but not a miracle cure.
I’ve actually tried recycled rubber membrane on my own garage roof a few years back—was mostly curious if it’d be less hassle than the old felt, especially with all the freeze-thaw we get up here. Honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. The tiles haven’t shifted much, and I haven’t noticed any weird bulging or leaks so far. But I did spend a lot of time making sure the edges were sealed tight... probably more than most folks would want to bother with.
One thing I didn’t love: in spring, when everything melts fast, water sometimes pools in spots where the slope isn’t perfect. The rubber seems to handle it okay, but I wonder if that’ll cause issues long-term. Still, compared to felt—which always seemed to rot out after a few rough winters—I’d pick rubber again, at least for smaller roofs.
Curious if anyone’s seen how these membranes hold up after 10+ years? Mine’s only been through five winters, so maybe I’m just lucky so far.