Would tile roofs survive a harsh winter up north?

- Green roofs are underrated for winter, honestly.
- The insulation is a game changer - my attic actually stays warm now, which is wild.
- Yeah, reinforcing the structure isn’t cheap, but I barely shovel snow off anymore.
- Maintenance is way less than I expected... just some weeding and checking drains.
- Tile looks nice, but it cracked on me after a couple freeze-thaw cycles. Green’s not perfect, but it surprised me in a good way.

Tile looks great, but up here in Minnesota, it just doesn’t hold up for me. I tried clay tile on a shed a few years back - looked awesome until the first real cold snap. After a couple winters, I had more cracks than I could count. The freeze-thaw cycle is brutal. Switched to a green roof on the house and honestly, it’s been way less hassle. Not cheap to set up, but I barely touch it now except for the odd weed. If you’re up north, tile’s a gamble unless you’re ready for repairs.

Had a client in Duluth with a Spanish tile roof - looked gorgeous, but after two winters, we were patching up cracked tiles left and right. That freeze-thaw cycle just finds every little weakness. I’ve seen concrete tile hold up a bit better than clay, but even then, repairs add up fast. Metal’s not as pretty, but it shrugs off ice and snow way better in my experience. Green roofs are cool, though... not something you see every day around here.

I get the appeal of tile, but honestly, after seeing my neighbor’s roof crack apart last winter, I just couldn’t risk it. Ended up with architectural shingles - maybe not as flashy, but they’ve handled the snow and ice way better so far. Sometimes boring wins.

Sometimes boring wins.

That’s been my experience too. I looked at tile when I was redoing my roof a few years back - looked great, but the weight and the risk of cracking in freeze-thaw cycles just didn’t sit right with me. I’m in upstate NY, so we get those wild temperature swings and heavy snow loads. My neighbor went with concrete tile, and it looked sharp for about two winters. Then a big ice dam formed, and a bunch of tiles cracked right down the middle. He ended up patching with mismatched pieces, and now it just looks... off.

Architectural shingles aren’t flashy, but they’ve held up way better than I expected. I’ve had to replace a couple after a windstorm, but nothing major. Plus, they’re easier to walk on if you need to clear off branches or check the gutters. Tile always made me nervous for that - one wrong step and you’re out a few hundred bucks.

I get why people like tile, especially for the look and the longevity in milder climates. But up here, between the snow, ice, and the constant freeze/thaw, it just seems like asking for trouble unless you’re willing to do a lot of maintenance. Maybe there are newer types of tile that handle cold better, but I haven’t seen them around here yet.

Not the most exciting choice, but sometimes practical wins out over pretty.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen tile roofs hold up pretty well in cold climates - if they’re installed right. My cousin in Vermont went with clay tiles, but he made sure to get ones rated for freeze-thaw cycles and had a pro do the underlayment and ventilation. He also added snow guards to keep the big sheets of ice from sliding off and cracking tiles. It wasn’t cheap, and he had to reinforce the rafters for the extra weight, but five winters in and no major issues yet. I think a lot comes down to the prep work and picking the right materials for the job. Not saying it’s for everyone, but it can work if you’re willing to go the extra mile.

I’m with you on the prep work making all the difference. I looked into tile when we bought our place upstate, but honestly, the weight and cost gave me pause. The idea of reinforcing rafters just for the roof felt like a lot, especially since we had a few other big projects on the list.

That said, I did a deep dive into what would actually make tile work here, and your cousin’s approach lines up with what I found: freeze-thaw rated tiles, pro installation, and snow guards are non-negotiable. One thing I’d add - make sure you have a really solid plan for attic ventilation and insulation. If warm air leaks up, you’ll get ice dams no matter what kind of roof you have, and with tile, repairs aren’t cheap.

Also, double-check local building codes. Some towns around me have weird rules about roof materials because of snow load concerns. All in all, I think it’s doable if you’re set on tile and willing to invest upfront... but for my budget, I ended up going with metal instead. Less pretty, but less stress too.

I get the appeal of metal - easy to maintain, handles snow like a champ, and you don’t have to worry about the weight. But I’d push back a bit on tile being too much hassle for up north. I’ve seen some older farmhouses with tile roofs that have held up for decades, even through nasty ice storms. If you’re already redoing rafters or structure for other reasons, sometimes it’s not as big a leap as it seems. The real kicker is getting someone who actually knows how to install tile in cold climates... that’s where most folks run into trouble. And yeah, ice dams are brutal - no roof is immune if the attic’s not sealed up tight.

You nailed it about the installer making all the difference. I’ve seen tile roofs up here in Minnesota that are pushing 80 years - no joke. The trick is definitely in the prep and making sure the structure can handle the weight, but once it’s done right, they’re surprisingly resilient. Ice dams are a pain no matter what you use, though... good attic insulation and ventilation are just as important as the roofing material itself.

Ice dams are a pain no matter what you use, though... good attic insulation and ventilation are just as important as the roofing material itself.

That’s been my experience too. I bought my first house last year, and it has a concrete tile roof from the late ‘70s. I was a little nervous about how it’d hold up through a Minnesota winter, but honestly, the tiles themselves weren’t the issue - it was all about the prep work underneath. The previous owner had reinforced the rafters, so no sagging or weird settling, even with heavy snow.

What surprised me was how much difference the insulation made. I had a couple of spots with thinner insulation and sure enough, that’s where I got minor ice dams. The tiles handled freeze-thaw cycles fine, but the water backup was a headache. I ended up adding more cellulose insulation and some extra venting, and that helped a lot.

If anything, I’d say the weight of tile is only a problem if you skip the structural upgrades. Otherwise, they’re more durable than I expected - just gotta stay on top of the insulation and airflow.

Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the insulation making all the difference. When we moved into our place (also up north, not quite Minnesota but close), I was more worried about the tiles cracking or popping off from the freeze-thaw cycles. Turns out, the roof tiles themselves are pretty tough - what caught me off guard was how much trouble a little uneven insulation could cause.

We had this one corner over the garage where the insulation was thinner, probably from someone moving it around to run wiring years ago. That’s exactly where we started seeing icicles and water stains on the soffit after a couple of big snowstorms. I crawled up there with a flashlight and realized there was barely any venting in that section either. It’s wild how just a small gap can throw off the whole system.

After beefing up the insulation and adding a couple more vents, things improved a lot. No more weird drips or ice dams in that spot last winter. I do think people sometimes underestimate how much prep work goes into making tile roofs work in cold climates. The tiles themselves are heavy, yeah, but as long as your framing is solid and you’ve got good underlayment, they seem to shrug off the weather.

One thing I’d add - if anyone’s thinking about adding more insulation, watch out for blocking airflow at the eaves. I almost made that mistake stuffing batts in too tight and had to pull some out so air could actually move through. It’s a balancing act.

Honestly, I was expecting more issues with shifting or cracking tiles, but it’s mostly been about keeping moisture from sneaking in underneath. The structure and attic setup matter way more than I thought when we first bought the place. Kind of wish I’d paid attention to that before our first big melt... live and learn, I guess.

- Had a similar issue with insulation near the eaves - messed up airflow led to a bunch of icicles and some minor leaks. Easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
- Agree on tile toughness. Wasn’t sure at first, but after a couple winters, barely any shifting or cracks. The underlayment and framing seem to matter way more than the tiles themselves.
- Noticed you mentioned venting - did you go with ridge vents or just add more soffit ones? I’m still figuring out what works best for our setup. Ridge vent install seems like a pain, but maybe worth it?
- One thing I’ve seen: if snow sits too long in one spot (like shaded valleys), even perfect tiles can get water sneaking under. We ended up sealing some flashing joints just in case.
- Curious if anyone’s actually had a tile break from freeze-thaw up north, or is it pretty much always a moisture/venting problem? I keep hearing both but haven’t seen much real evidence of tiles popping off unless something else was wrong first.

Curious if anyone’s actually had a tile break from freeze-thaw up north, or is it pretty much always a moisture/venting problem?

I’ve never seen a tile just crack from cold alone - it’s always been water sneaking in, then expanding. Once had a corner chip off where ice dammed up, but that was after a gutter backup. Ridge vents seemed like overkill for me, but I did double up on soffits and it’s kept the attic way drier. Still, I’m half convinced snow sitting in valleys is just a fact of life up here…

I’ve never seen a tile just crack from cold alone - it’s always been water sneaking in, then expanding.

That matches what I’ve read - freeze-thaw cycles only cause damage if moisture’s trapped in or under the tile. I’m curious, did anyone try using a waterproof membrane under the tile? Wondering if that’s worth the extra cost for northern climates.

I live in Minnesota, and trust me, our winters are no joke. I went with a tile roof about 8 years back - mostly because I loved the look, but also because everyone kept saying it would last forever. Well, that “forever” comes with some fine print up here. The first winter, a couple tiles cracked right where ice had pooled after a thaw. Turns out, water got underneath and froze solid.

After that, I had a waterproof membrane put in when I replaced the broken tiles. Not cheap, but honestly, it’s saved me a ton of headaches since then. Haven’t had any more cracks or leaks, even after some brutal freeze-thaw cycles. 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. The extra upfront cost stings a bit but beats constant repairs.

Funny thing is, my neighbor skipped the membrane and he’s patching something every year. We joke that his roof keeps him in shape... but I’d rather stay warm inside.

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.