Would tile roofs survive a harsh winter up north?

If the insulation and ventilation aren’t dialed in, you’ll still get ice buildup, no matter what the tiles are made of.

Couldn’t agree more - ice dams are like Minnesota’s winter tax, no matter what’s on your roof. I will say, though, composite tiles with recycled content have held up better for me than expected. Less cracking, and they’re lighter on the landfill guilt. Still gotta babysit those valleys after a blizzard... learned that the hard way last February when I found a surprise drip in my attic.

I get the appeal of composite tiles, especially with the recycled content - definitely a step up from old-school asphalt in terms of sustainability. But I’ve seen some of those lighter composites struggle in the really deep cold snaps up here. When temps swing from -20°F to above freezing in a day or two (which seems to happen more often lately), some of those tiles can flex or even shift just enough to let water sneak underneath. That’s where the underlayment and flashing details become absolutely critical.

Honestly, I’d argue that material choice does matter more than folks think, especially if you’re dealing with older framing or less-than-perfect insulation. Clay and concrete tiles might seem overkill for Minnesota, but their thermal mass actually helps buffer some of those wild temp swings - though you pay for it with weight and install headaches. I’m not saying composites are a bad call, just that they’re not a magic bullet for ice dam issues. Still gotta keep an eye on those valleys and eaves... nature always finds a weak spot if you give it one.

- Totally agree about underlayment and flashing - if those aren’t dialed in, even the fanciest tile won’t save you from leaks.
- Seen a few composite installs up here where the tiles warped after a couple brutal freeze-thaw cycles. Not pretty.
- Clay/concrete tiles are tanks, but man, you need beefy rafters. My uncle tried to DIY one on his old cabin... let’s just say he learned about “structural load” the hard way.
- Ice dams are sneaky. Doesn’t matter what’s on top if your attic’s leaking heat like a sieve.
- I’d still take composite over asphalt for looks and recycled content, but yeah, it’s not a cure-all. Gotta sweat the details.

I’m not gonna lie, the idea of hauling clay tiles up onto my roof in February makes my back hurt just thinking about it. When we bought our place last year, I was all excited about “classic tile charm” until my neighbor told me about the time his roof literally sagged after a snowstorm. I’m in Minnesota, so yeah, snow load is real. Is composite really that much lighter? I’ve seen a few houses around here with it, but now I’m paranoid about them warping. Is there a secret to keeping ice dams away, or am I doomed to buy a lifetime supply of roof rakes?

Is composite really that much lighter? I’ve seen a few houses around here with it, but now I’m paranoid about them warping.

I totally get the paranoia - Minnesota winters are no joke. I helped my uncle swap out his old concrete tiles for composite last fall, and the weight difference was wild. We’re talking like a third of the weight, maybe less. Hauling those up a ladder in the cold still sucked, but at least we weren’t worried about the roof caving in after a blizzard.

As for warping, I was skeptical too. Some of the older composites had issues, but most of the new stuff is engineered to handle freeze-thaw cycles way better. My uncle’s been through one winter so far and nothing’s shifted or curled. Still, you want to make sure you get a reputable brand and installer - cheap stuff can definitely warp or crack.

Ice dams are another beast. Good attic insulation and ventilation are honestly more important than what’s on top. If your roof’s warm enough to melt snow unevenly, you’ll be raking no matter what material you use... Been there, done that, still have the sore shoulders.