I’ve actually got clay tiles on my place—went with them about 18 years ago, mostly because I liked the look and figured the “lifetime” pitch was worth a shot. They’ve held up better than any shingle roof I’ve had before, but I will say, the maintenance isn’t zero. Had to replace a couple tiles after a bad hailstorm, and getting someone who knows what they’re doing isn’t cheap. Still, no leaks or major issues yet. I guess it depends how long you plan to stay put... if you’re moving in 10 years, probably not worth it, but if you’re in for the long haul, it might pencil out.
I keep going back and forth on this. I’ve got a pretty standard asphalt shingle roof right now—house is only 6 years old, but I’m already seeing some curling on the south-facing side. Not what I expected this soon. The clay tile look is definitely appealing, but the cost is kind of intimidating, and I’m not sure I’d want to deal with the hassle if something cracks.
Had to replace a couple tiles after a bad hailstorm, and getting someone who knows what they’re doing isn’t cheap.
That’s the part that worries me. We get hail here every couple years, and finding a roofer who actually knows clay tiles seems like a pain. Did insurance cover your repairs, or was it all out of pocket? Also, how heavy are those tiles? My neighbor said he’d have to reinforce his framing if he switched from shingles.
I’m planning to stay put for a while, but I’m not sure if the “lifetime” pitch is worth the upfront cost and possible headaches. Anyone regret going with something more basic?
I get the appeal of clay tiles, but honestly, I’m not convinced they’re the best fit for places that see regular hail. Even if insurance covers some damage, you’re still dealing with finding the right contractor and possible delays. The weight is a real concern too—my cousin went through that whole framing reinforcement process and it added a ton to the cost. Have you looked into metal roofing at all? It’s not as “classic” looking as tile, but it holds up really well to hail and can last just as long, if not longer, with way less maintenance. Just something to think about before sinking a ton of money into clay.
I hear you on the hail issue. Clay tiles look awesome, but I just can’t justify the cost and hassle where I live (Midwest—hail central). My neighbor went with clay a few years back, and after one bad storm, he was picking up broken pieces from his yard for days. Insurance helped, but it was still a pain, and he had to wait forever for repairs.
Metal roofing isn’t the prettiest, but honestly, I’d rather have something that holds up to our weather than worry about curb appeal. Plus, the idea of reinforcing my roof just to handle the weight of tile? That’s a hard pass for my wallet. I’ve heard metal can be noisy in heavy rain, but I’ll take that over shelling out for repairs every time we get a hailstorm. Maybe not everyone’s style, but for me, it’s all about what saves money (and headaches) in the long run.
Can’t blame you for leaning toward metal. I’ve watched a few neighbors deal with cracked clay tiles after hail, and the repair process is always slow and expensive. The weight issue is real too—my house isn’t even built to handle tile without major upgrades, which just adds to the cost. Metal’s not perfect, but at least it stands up to our Midwest storms. The noise during rain is noticeable, but honestly, I’d rather put up with that than keep calling the insurance company every spring. Sometimes practicality just wins out over looks.
