- Tile roofs definitely aren't maintenance-free, but they're still a solid choice overall.
- Compared to asphalt shingles or wood shakes, tiles hold up better against weather and UV rays.
- Main issues I've seen are cracked tiles (usually from foot traffic or hail), debris buildup in valleys, and occasional moss/algae growth.
- Good news is, most of these problems are pretty easy to spot and fix if you're proactive.
- Quick tip: every couple years, just do a visual check—especially after storms—and clear out any leaves or branches that pile up.
- Honestly, no roofing material is completely bulletproof...but tile comes pretty close if you give it a little TLC now and then.
Totally agree—tile roofs aren't exactly "set it and forget it," but they're pretty close. One thing I'd add is to watch out for the underlayment beneath the tiles. Tiles themselves can last forever, but that waterproof barrier underneath eventually wears out, especially after 20-30 years. Had a customer recently who thought his roof was bulletproof until he found leaks from worn-out underlayment...not fun. Still, with regular checks and minor upkeep, tile beats most other options hands down.
"Tiles themselves can last forever, but that waterproof barrier underneath eventually wears out, especially after 20-30 years."
That's a good point, and honestly, as someone who just bought their first house (yay mortgage payments...), I was initially sold on tile roofs being practically maintenance-free. But after doing some digging around, I'm not entirely convinced they're as hands-off as advertised.
Sure, tiles themselves are impressively durable—no argument there—but the underlayment issue is kind of a big deal. When I first heard about it, I thought, "Wait, so the tiles last forever, but the stuff underneath doesn't? Isn't that like having bulletproof armor with a cotton undershirt?" 😅 It sort of defeats the purpose of having a super durable roof if you still have to rip everything apart every few decades to replace what's underneath.
Also, another thing I've noticed (and maybe it's just my neighborhood) is that tile roofs seem to attract moss and algae growth more than other types, especially in damp climates. My neighbor across the street has a beautiful Spanish tile roof that's now sporting a lovely shade of greenish-gray. He jokes it's his "eco-friendly rooftop garden," but I doubt he's thrilled about it. So, even if you're not replacing underlayment anytime soon, you might still find yourself up there scrubbing tiles or hiring someone to power wash every once in a while.
Don't get me wrong—tile roofs look fantastic, and they're definitely better than some alternatives (looking at you, asphalt shingles...). But I think labeling them as "basically maintenance-free" might be a bit optimistic. Maybe "low-maintenance-ish" is more accurate? Either way, I'm still glad I went with tile, but I'm definitely budgeting for some upkeep down the road.
"Maybe 'low-maintenance-ish' is more accurate?"
Haha, totally agree with this! As a fellow first-time homeowner (congrats, btw!), I had the same realization. Tile roofs look amazing, but yeah, that underlayment thing caught me off guard too. Still, compared to constantly patching shingles after storms, I'll take the occasional moss scrubbing or underlayment replacement every couple decades. Just think of it as part of the homeowner adventure...right? 😅
Tile roofs look amazing, but yeah, that underlayment thing caught me off guard too. Still, compared to constantly patching shingles after storms, I'll take the occasional moss scrubbing or underlay...
Tile roofs definitely have their perks, but I'd say "low-maintenance-ish" is pretty generous. I've seen plenty of roofs that needed more than just moss removal—think cracked tiles from hail or branches, or even birds nesting underneath (yeah, seriously...). And the underlayment thing isn't always a once-in-decades deal. Depending on your climate and installation quality, you might be looking at repairs sooner rather than later. Still beats shingles flying off every storm though! Just don't underestimate the sneaky surprises tile roofs can throw your way.
