Good call on paying attention to flashing—it's always the weak link. Copper flashing tends to hold up really well over time, pricier upfront but worth it long-term. Proper installation matters too; I've seen quality materials fail fast from sloppy installs...
You're spot-on about copper flashing. I went with copper on my place about five years ago, and it's held up beautifully so far—no regrets at all. But like you said, even premium materials won't help much if they're installed poorly. My neighbor had a tile roof put in around the same time as mine, and he went with cheaper flashing. It started leaking after just two winters, but honestly, I think the bigger issue was how rushed the install seemed. Good materials can mask a lot of issues, but they won't fix sloppy work.
Tile roofs are pretty low-maintenance overall, but "maintenance-free" might be stretching it. You still gotta keep an eye out for cracked tiles or debris buildup, especially in valleys or around chimneys. Still, I'd say tile roofs are among the easiest to take care of, provided the install is done right and you invest in quality flashing from the get-go.
- Totally agree with your points, especially about the flashing. Copper's definitely worth the extra upfront cost—seen plenty of cheaper materials fail way too soon.
- You're right about installation quality too. I've inspected roofs that were barely five years old but already leaking because of rushed installs. Good materials help, but they're not magic.
- Tile roofs are pretty forgiving overall, but yeah, "maintenance-free" is a bit optimistic. I've seen cracked tiles from falling branches or even just foot traffic during chimney cleanings. Stuff happens.
- One thing I'd add is to watch out for moss or algae buildup, especially if you're in a damp climate or have shaded areas. It doesn't usually cause immediate leaks, but it can shorten tile lifespan over time.
- Still, compared to asphalt shingles or wood shakes, tile roofs are definitely on the easier side maintenance-wise. Sounds like you made a solid choice going with copper flashing and taking your time with the install.
"Tile roofs are pretty forgiving overall, but yeah, 'maintenance-free' is a bit optimistic."
Haha, yeah, learned that one the hard way myself. When we moved into our current place, the previous owner proudly told us the tile roof was "basically maintenance-free." Fast forward a couple years—after one particularly windy storm, I found myself up there replacing cracked tiles and cleaning out debris. Not exactly my idea of a relaxing weekend!
But honestly, even with those hiccups, tile still beats our old asphalt shingle roof hands-down. That thing was like a moss magnet. Speaking of moss, good point about shaded areas—I have one side of the roof that's always damp and shady, and it's definitely more prone to algae buildup. Any budget-friendly tips for keeping that stuff under control without constantly climbing up there?
Copper flashing sounds great, but I admit I went cheaper on mine... hoping it doesn't come back to bite me later. Guess I'll find out soon enough!
"Speaking of moss, good point about shaded areas—I have one side of the roof that's always damp and shady, and it's definitely more prone to algae buildup."
Yeah, same issue here. I've tried a diluted vinegar solution sprayed on from ground level with a hose attachment—it helps a bit, but it's not magic or anything. Honestly, I think tile roofs are great overall, but "maintenance-free" is just wishful thinking. Still beats shingles though... had those before and never again. Moss city!
