You’re spot on about the insurance side being a big question mark. I’ve seen adjusters treat synthetics differently depending on the brand and how obvious the damage is—sometimes they lump them in with asphalt, sometimes not. It’s definitely not as straightforward as with clay or concrete. Good call mentioning the fading and brittleness too... that’s bitten a few folks I know who went with cheaper options. Still, less mess after hail is a real plus.
Good call mentioning the fading and brittleness too... that’s bitten a few folks I know who went with cheaper options.
That’s a huge point. I’ve seen neighbors go for the “budget” synthetics and regret it after just a couple of summers—sun just eats them up here. I get the appeal of less mess after hail, but the insurance confusion is real. Clay isn’t perfect, but at least you know where you stand on coverage and longevity. Sometimes the old-school stuff just works better, even if it’s not flashy.
That’s the thing—clay’s not flashy, but it’s predictable. I do wonder though, has anyone here actually compared the energy efficiency between clay and those newer synthetics? I’ve read that clay can help with cooling, but never seen real numbers from someone local.
I’ve actually wondered about this too, especially after our last summer. We’re in central Texas, and the heat just keeps getting worse every year. My neighbor across the street has clay tiles, and he swears his attic stays a few degrees cooler than ours with asphalt shingles. He’s got one of those little temperature sensors up there, but I never thought to ask him for the actual numbers. I’m not sure if it’s just the color or the material itself that makes the difference.
When we re-roofed a few years back, my contractor tried to sell us on some synthetic tiles that looked like slate. They were supposed to be super durable and “reflective,” but honestly, the price tag was wild. I stuck with what I knew. Now I’m kind of regretting not getting more info on how they actually perform in our climate. Has anyone here had issues with clay tiles cracking in hail? That’s my other worry—our storms can get pretty rough.
I do like that clay doesn’t seem to fade much over time, and you don’t see as much moss or algae on them compared to some of the darker synthetics. But maintenance is a pain if one breaks. Anyone ever tried those new “cool roof” coatings on clay? Curious if that’s worth it or just marketing hype.
Also, for folks who’ve switched from shingles or metal to clay or synthetics—did you notice a difference in your cooling bills? I’m all for predictable, but if there’s real savings, maybe it’s worth the hassle of switching next time.
I’ve seen clay tiles hold up pretty well in the heat, but yeah, hail is another story. My uncle had a few crack after a bad storm last spring—insurance covered it, but tracking down matching replacements was a pain. I’ve heard mixed things about those cool roof coatings too. Some folks say they help a bit, others think it’s just marketing. As for cooling bills, my neighbor with clay tiles says his dropped maybe 10%, but he also beefed up his attic insulation at the same time, so hard to say what did what.
