Would tile roofs survive a harsh winter up north?

I wrestled with this exact question a few years back. We’re in central Minnesota, and I always loved the look of tile—reminds me of old European houses. But when I started getting quotes, it was a real eye-opener. The tiles themselves weren’t even the biggest chunk; it was all the extra bracing and underlayment, like you said. Our old farmhouse just wasn’t built for that kind of weight, so retrofitting would’ve been a nightmare.

I did talk to one neighbor who managed to pull it off by going with concrete tiles instead of clay, which shaved off some cost and weight. Still, he had to reinforce his rafters and ended up spending more than double what a standing seam metal roof would’ve run him. He swears by the insulation value and how quiet it is during hailstorms, but honestly, I couldn’t justify it.

In my case, we went with metal and put the savings into spray foam insulation in the attic. No regrets so far—snow slides right off, and our heating bills dropped. Tile’s gorgeous, but unless you’re set on the look (and have deep pockets), it’s tough to make it pencil out up here.

You nailed it—weight is the big kicker with tile up here, and a lot of folks underestimate just how much extra work (and money) goes into beefing up an old roof to handle it. I’ve seen more than a few cases where people tried to shortcut the bracing, only to end up with sagging rafters after a couple heavy winters. That’s a nightmare you don’t want.

Even if you get all the structure right, freeze-thaw cycles are no joke. Tile can crack if moisture gets underneath, especially if you’re dealing with older clay or even some concrete tiles that aren’t rated for our kind of cold. And good luck finding someone local who actually knows how to repair or replace a single broken tile in February.

Metal’s not perfect either—hail can dent it, and it’s noisy in the rain unless you insulate well—but dollar for dollar, it’s hard to beat up north. The snow-shedding alone saves so many headaches. Tile looks incredible, but unless you’re building new or have really deep pockets, it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth around here.

I get where you’re coming from—tile up here does seem like a hassle, especially with the weight and freeze-thaw cycles. But I’ve actually seen a few projects where folks went with modern composite tiles instead of traditional clay or concrete. They’re way lighter (sometimes even lighter than metal), and some brands are specifically engineered for cold climates. My neighbor down the road swapped out his old asphalt shingles for these synthetic tiles last year. He said installation was a breeze compared to what he expected, and so far, after one brutal winter, no cracks or leaks.

I’m not saying it’s the answer for everyone, but there’s more out there than just the classic heavy tile. Plus, if you’re thinking long-term, some of these new materials are made from recycled plastics and rubber—better for insulation, and they don’t hold onto snow like you’d think. Still not cheap, but if you’re after the look without all the structural headaches, might be worth a peek.

Metal is definitely practical up here, but it’s not the only game in town anymore... Technology’s moving fast in roofing materials these days.

Had a client last winter who went with composite tiles—looked sharp, but I was skeptical at first.

“He said installation was a breeze compared to what he expected, and so far, after one brutal winter, no cracks or leaks.”

- Had composite tiles put on my place two years ago—northern Minnesota, so plenty of snow and ice.
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“the underlayment choice mattered just as much as the tile itself.”