Would tile roofs survive a harsh winter up north?

I hear you on the icicles - my place in central Wisconsin has a tile roof too, and the first winter was a learning curve. Even with good insulation and an ice/water shield, I still get some ice dams along the gutters. What’s helped me is making sure attic ventilation is solid, so warm air doesn’t sneak up and melt the snow unevenly. I get the noise concern with metal... my neighbor has one and you can definitely hear the rain. Tile’s quieter, but yeah, you do have to keep an eye out for cracks after a rough freeze-thaw cycle. It’s a tradeoff either way.

- Totally agree about attic ventilation - makes a bigger difference than I expected.
-

“Tile’s quieter, but yeah, you do have to keep an eye out for cracks after a rough freeze-thaw cycle.”

Curious if anyone’s had luck sealing up those little gaps at the eaves? Wondering if that’d help with the ice dam issue or just trap more moisture.

Tried that once for a customer - thought it’d be a quick fix, but ended up with condensation dripping down the rafters by late January. Those gaps actually help things breathe, even if they look like trouble spots. Tile’s tough up here, but freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. I’ve replaced more cracked tiles after weird warm snaps than after actual blizzards. Heat cables can help, but only if everything else is dialed in first... otherwise it’s just melting one problem into another.

Those gaps actually help things breathe, even if they look like trouble spots.

I ran into the same issue last winter - sealed up a few eave gaps thinking it’d stop drafts, but ended up with frost on the underside of the sheathing. Ventilation’s more important than I realized. I’ve got concrete tiles, and honestly, the freeze-thaw is rougher than the snow load itself. Heat cables helped a bit, but only after I sorted out attic insulation and airflow. Otherwise, just made a mess.

Yeah, I learned the hard way too - tried to block off every little gap and just made things worse. Tiles themselves hold up okay, but if the attic can’t breathe, you’re fighting ice dams all winter. It’s wild how much difference a bit of airflow makes. Heat cables are kinda a band-aid if the insulation’s not dialed in, honestly.

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.
-

“I wonder if the tiles crack or shift over time.”

- Tile roofs up here? They can work, but I’m always a bit wary.
- Seen too many jobs where someone skipped the right underlayment or cheaped out on flashing... then you get leaks when the ice dams hit.
- Weight’s a biggie too - framing needs to be beefy. If the builder just swapped out asphalt for tile without checking, that’s asking for trouble.
- On the plus side, if it’s installed right and you use tiles rated for freeze-thaw, they’ll outlast most shingles. Just not a “set it and forget it” deal.
- I’d say it’s doable, just not as forgiving as asphalt in this climate.

Weight’s a biggie too - framing needs to be beefy. If the builder just swapped out asphalt for tile without checking, that’s asking for trouble.

That’s the part I keep coming back to. I’ve seen a couple places where someone just wanted the “look” and didn’t realize how much heavier tile is compared to asphalt. Ended up with sagging rafters and a lot of headaches. Did they even check the trusses or just hope for the best?

But yeah, if you get the right underlayment and flashing, and actually use tiles made for freeze-thaw, it’s not impossible. I’ve helped on a job where the owner went all-in on the prep - ice & water shield, double-checked the framing, even heated cables for ice dams. That roof’s still holding up after a few brutal winters.

It’s definitely not a shortcut project, but if you’re willing to do it right, it can last. Just gotta ask yourself if you’re ready for the extra work and cost up front. Wouldn’t call it “set it and forget it,” but nothing up here really is, right?

I’ve seen a few tile roofs up here that held up, but only after some serious reinforcement. One neighbor skipped the framing check - big mistake. Ended up with a wavy roofline and a lot of cursing come spring thaw. Tile can work, but you’ve gotta respect the weight and the freeze-thaw cycles or you’re just asking for trouble. I’d say it’s more about the prep than the material itself.

We took a hard look at tile a few years back, mostly because of the longevity and how good it looks, but the upfront costs and structural concerns stopped us. I agree, prep is everything. A lot of folks underestimate just how much heavier tile is than asphalt or even metal. Our contractor insisted on beefing up the rafters if we went that route, which would’ve added a few thousand to the bill - just couldn’t justify it with our budget.

Freeze-thaw cycles are another headache. I’ve seen some neighbors get away with it by choosing tiles rated for northern climates, but even then, you’ve gotta stay on top of sealing and maintenance. One guy down the street switched to synthetic underlayment after a nasty leak - said it helped, but didn’t solve every problem.

I’m still tempted by tile from time to time, but unless you’re ready for the extra framing and upkeep, it’s tough to recommend for our winters. If you want low fuss and peace of mind, metal or high-end shingles might be more forgiving up here.

- Looked into tile a couple winters ago - love the look, but the weight is a dealbreaker for my old place.
- My neighbor actually went for it, but had to reinforce his whole roof structure. He said it was a pain (and pricey) but no regrets so far.
- Freeze-thaw is real trouble here. Saw a few cracked tiles after last February’s cold snap. Repairs aren’t cheap, either.
- Maintenance seems constant - he’s always up there checking for chips and resealing stuff. Not sure I’d have the patience.
- Synthetic underlayment sounds smart, but like you said, doesn’t fix everything if water’s getting under the tiles in the first place.
- For me, metal’s been way less hassle - snow slides off easy, and I haven’t had to touch it since install.
- If you’re set on tile, maybe concrete or composite tiles rated for freeze-thaw would be better? Still, that upfront cost and all the prep… tough sell unless you’re really committed.
- Honestly, with our winters, I’d rather stick with something a bit more forgiving if stuff goes sideways.

- Looked at tile too, mostly because my wife saw some fancy Spanish villa on HGTV and got ideas. Then I saw the price tag and the weight numbers... yeah, that dream died quick.
- My buddy two streets over actually did it - he’s got a newer house, so his roof could handle it. But he’s always up there poking around after every big freeze. Says he likes the “character” of a few cracked tiles. I call it expensive character.
- Freeze-thaw is no joke here (I’m in northern MN). Last winter, I had to help him replace three tiles that basically exploded after a cold snap. Not exactly my idea of a fun Saturday.
- Maintenance is where I tap out. I barely want to clean my gutters, let alone babysit a roof all winter.
- Metal’s been good to me - snow slides right off, and the only thing I’ve had to fix was a loose screw after a windstorm. Plus, no worries about weight or constant patch jobs.
- Composite tiles sound interesting, but by the time you reinforce everything and pay for install, you could probably buy a small car instead.
- If you’re set on tile for the look, maybe just do an accent area or porch? Full roof seems like more trouble than it’s worth up here unless you really love climbing ladders in February.

Honestly, if my roof can survive another decade with metal, I’ll call it a win and spend my weekends somewhere warmer... like inside with coffee.

- Helped my uncle swap out some broken tiles last March after a nasty freeze. He loves the look, but honestly, it’s a pain. Heavy, cracks easy, and you’re always checking for damage. Metal’s way less hassle in our winters, at least from what I’ve seen.

Tile roofs up here are kind of a mixed bag, honestly. They look great - nobody’s arguing that - but with our freeze-thaw cycles, you’re always playing defense. I’ve seen a lot of cracked tiles after a rough winter, especially if water sneaks underneath and then freezes. The weight is another thing people don’t always think about. You really need to be sure your structure can handle it, and even then, it’s not the easiest thing to repair when something goes wrong.

I get why folks like them, though. There’s a certain charm, and if you’re coming from somewhere warmer, it’s what you know. But like you said, metal just holds up better around here. Less maintenance, sheds snow like a champ, and you’re not out there every spring looking for busted pieces. Only real downside I hear is some folks don’t love the noise during heavy rain or hail, but personally, I’ll take that over climbing up there to swap out tiles every year.

If someone’s set on tile, there are some newer composite options that look similar but are lighter and supposedly handle the cold better. Haven’t seen enough of those around here yet to say for sure how they hold up long-term. For traditional clay or concrete tile, though? I usually tell people to think twice unless they’re really prepared for the upkeep.

Had a client last year who went all in on Spanish tile because he loved the look - by February, he was already calling about leaks and loose tiles. Ended up costing him way more than he expected. Just something to keep in mind if you’re weighing your options.

If someone’s set on tile, there are some newer composite options that look similar but are lighter and supposedly handle the cold better. Haven’t seen enough of those around here yet to say for sure how they hold up long-term.

That’s the part I keep circling back to - composite tiles are tempting, but until we see a few winters (and thaws) on them, it’s a gamble. I’ve seen folks get excited about “maintenance-free” claims, but even the best materials need solid underlayment and ventilation up here. If you’re dead set on tile, step one should be making sure your roof pitch and structure are up to snuff. Step two: budget for repairs, because freeze-thaw is relentless. Personally, I lean green - metal or even a living roof if you’re adventurous. Less drama, more durability... and you won’t be picking up broken tiles come spring.

I get the hesitation around composites, but I’ve actually seen a couple of houses in my area (northern Minnesota) with them holding up surprisingly well after three winters. Granted, that’s a small sample size, and I’m not convinced they’re totally “maintenance-free” either - one neighbor had to replace a few cracked pieces after a bad ice storm. Still, I’d take that over the rust issues I’ve had with metal roofs. Every material’s got its trade-offs... sometimes it just comes down to what headaches you’re willing to deal with.