Clay tiles look great, but honestly, I don’t see them much outside of the Southwest or places with milder winters. Up here in the Midwest, they’re kind of rare—mostly because of the freeze-thaw cycles. Clay can crack if water gets in and then freezes, and that’s a headache nobody wants to deal with. Plus, they’re heavy, so you’ve gotta make sure your framing can handle the extra weight. I’ve seen a couple folks try it for the look, but usually they end up with repairs after a few rough winters.
About solar tiles, I’ve worked on a couple installs and yeah, snow does slide off them easier than asphalt shingles. That’s a plus for sure. But like your uncle found out, ice dams are still an issue if your attic isn’t vented right or you’ve got insulation gaps. Heating cables help, but they’re not exactly cheap to run all winter. And the upfront cost for solar tiles is still pretty steep compared to metal or composite.
Metal roofs are getting more popular around here, especially standing seam. They shed snow like crazy and last forever if they’re installed right. Only downside is the noise during heavy rain or hail—some folks love it, others not so much. Composite shingles are a solid middle ground too. They’re lighter than clay or concrete, hold up well in most weather, and you can get them in just about any style.
If you’re after low maintenance and durability, metal’s hard to beat. If you want that classic look and don’t mind the extra cost (and maybe some extra structure work), clay can be beautiful—just not always practical in cold climates. I’d say figure out what matters most: looks, longevity, price, or energy savings. There’s always a trade-off somewhere...
Had a neighbor who put in clay tiles because she loved the look—her house really did stand out, but man, after two winters she was already patching up cracked tiles. Midwest weather just isn’t kind to them. I’m helping my uncle with his metal roof this summer and honestly, the stuff is loud in a storm but he swears by how easy it is to clear snow. I get the appeal of clay, but for our climate, I’d stick with metal or composite. Less stress in the long run.
Clay tiles look amazing, no doubt, but I actually went for them on my last house—Midwest too—and didn’t have as many issues as folks warned me about. Trick was making sure the underlayment and flashing were top-notch, and I did have to replace a couple after a nasty hailstorm, but overall they held up. Sure, they’re pricier and heavier, but if you really want that look, it’s doable with the right prep. Metal’s great for snow, but I couldn’t get past the “drum solo” every time it rained...
Clay tiles look nice, but honestly, I’m still not convinced they’re worth the environmental cost or the hassle in places with wild weather swings. Tried them once—beautiful, sure, but heavy on the structure and not exactly energy efficient. Ever looked into living roofs or even recycled shingles? Less drama if you ask me.
I get where you’re coming from—clay tiles are gorgeous, but they’re not exactly low-maintenance, especially if you live somewhere with wild temperature swings or heavy storms. I’ve seen more than a few roofs where the tiles cracked after a couple of freeze-thaw cycles, and repairs aren’t cheap. Plus, yeah, you need a beefier structure to hold all that weight.
Living roofs are interesting, though. They’re definitely better for insulation and can help with stormwater runoff, but they come with their own headaches—leaks can be a pain to track down, and not every house is built to handle the extra load. Recycled shingles (like those made from rubber or plastic) are getting better every year. They’re lighter than clay, hold up well in storms, and some even look surprisingly close to slate or wood shake.
If energy efficiency’s your main concern, metal roofs with good insulation underneath might be worth a look too. They shed snow like nothing else and don’t mind hail much either. Just depends on what trade-offs you’re willing to make... there’s no perfect roof, just what works best for your spot and budget.
