Can’t argue with you on the underlayment and flashing—those are the real heroes nobody sees. I’ve seen tile roofs up here in Minnesota take a beating and come through fine, but the ones that fail always have something funky going on underneath. It’s wild how a roof can look perfect from the street but be a mess under the surface.
Attic ventilation is one of those things people skip because it’s not “visible,” but yeah, ice dams will wreck your day (and your sheathing). I’m a stickler for airflow and insulation—sometimes feels like I spend more time fussing in the attic than actually looking at the roof itself.
Warranties... don’t get me started. I tried to patch a single cracked tile once and the paperwork headache wasn’t worth it. Learned my lesson—if it’s still covered, let the pros handle it.
If anyone’s looking at new installs, I’d say don’t cheap out on the waterproof membrane, especially up north. Tiles are tough, but water finds a way if you give it half a chance.
You nailed it about the underlayment and flashing. I’ve seen a few neighbors get burned by skipping those details—roof looks pristine, but then you find out the sheathing’s rotted or there’s mold in the attic. It’s almost like the real work is what you *don’t* see from the curb.
I’m with you on attic ventilation too. I spent a couple weekends last fall crawling around up there, checking for cold spots and making sure the soffit vents weren’t blocked. It’s not glamorous, but after dealing with ice dams one winter, I’m not taking chances again. Insulation and airflow make a bigger difference than most folks realize.
The warranty headache is real... I tried to DIY a minor repair once, only to have the manufacturer push back on coverage later. Lesson learned: if it’s under warranty, let them handle it—even if it means waiting.
Couldn’t agree more about not skimping on membranes up north. Tiles are tough, but water always finds a weak spot if you give it enough time. That extra investment up front saves so much hassle down the line.
I hear you on the hidden stuff being what really matters. I’ve seen a few houses around here (northern MN) with tile roofs, and honestly, they look great from the street, but I always wonder about what’s going on underneath after a few winters. The freeze/thaw cycles are brutal—water gets in the tiniest crack and then expands. If the underlayment or flashing isn’t perfect, you’re asking for trouble.
I get why people like tile—it lasts forever in theory—but up here, it’s not just about the tiles themselves. It’s all about how well everything below is done. My neighbor had a clay tile roof put on five years ago, paid extra for ice & water shield everywhere, and so far, no issues. But another guy down the block skipped some of that “unseen” prep and ended up with leaks after two winters.
I’m still skeptical about tile being worth it unless you’re willing to go all-in on prep and maintenance. Asphalt or metal might not look as fancy, but they seem to handle our winters with less drama. Just my two cents...
Tile roofs look fancy, no doubt, but my wallet starts sweating just thinking about the install costs and all that prep. I’ve got a buddy who went all-in on a tile roof a few years back—he jokes it’s like parking a sports car in his driveway just to impress the neighbors. But every spring, he’s up there checking for cracks and making sure nothing shifted after the snow load. Meanwhile, my asphalt shingles aren’t winning any beauty contests, but they’re cheap to patch and I don’t lose sleep every time the temp swings 40 degrees in a week.
Honestly, I get the appeal of “forever” roofs, but up here in the land of ice dams and surprise blizzards, I’d rather put my money into insulation and a snow rake. Maybe I’m just too practical (or cheap), but I’d rather replace shingles every 15 years than gamble on a tile roof surviving our freeze-thaw circus. Metal’s tempting too, but the quotes I got made me want to crawl back under my old shingles and hide.
- Noticed this:
. That’s the big thing with tile where I am—freeze/thaw cycles can really mess with them.every spring, he’s up there checking for cracks and making sure nothing shifted after the snow load
- Seen a few jobs where tiles cracked from ice expansion, then water got in and made it worse.
- On the other hand, I’ve seen metal roofs take a beating from hail up north too, so nothing’s perfect.
- Curious if anyone’s tried those newer composite “tile-look” shingles? They claim to handle the cold better... but I haven’t seen enough winters on them yet.
- Wondering if your buddy’s had any luck with sealants or extra underlayment to help with shifting tiles?
