The Benefits of Tile Roofs and a Few Cautions

Tile roof below Mt. Wilson

Considering a tile roof? Tile is a popular and durable roofing material, but you need to understand the drawbacks, too.

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Tile roofs have a pleasing look with Mt. Wilson and the San Gabriel Mountains in the background, so they look nice whether you live in Alhambra, Pasadena, Arcadia or any of the surrounding cities. But let’s dig deeper so you’re fully aware of reasons to choose or not choose tile.

See what tile can do for your roof.

Benefits of Tile Roofs

Don’t sweat those warm days in winter followed by periods of pounding rain, wondering if the water’s going to pour through your roof. Tile let’s heavy downpours easily run off so it can handle weather extremes. The Tile Industry Alliance describes tile as “exceptionally resistant to water, frost, fire, wind and insect damage.”

So you can see why Garvey Roofing uses tile to install or repair a “roof for all seasons.”

If you’re in a high fire danger zone, then tile roofs are a smart investment. Just a note to say that multi-dimensional asphalt shingles are also rated high to repel fires.

Expect your tile roof to last for several decades or longer. The Tile Industry Alliance says the material will last for a century.

And guess what else is nice about tile?

Insects won’t chomp through it.

Let’s list out the benefits:

Long-lasting
Repels insects
Handles weather extremes
Highly fire resistant

Durability and versatility aren’t the only benefits.

Tile Roofs Come in Many Styles

You’ve got plenty of options for installing a tile roof. Traditional Spanish tile on white stucco homes gives that well-known southwestern look, but tile also comes in wood shake and slate styles. Want a slate appearance or chipped stone? Get it with a tile roof.

Roofing tiles can come in many shapes: curved, flat, fluted, or interlocking, and in many styles.

Tile is a roofing material that holds its color for years so it may darken, but as noted on the Roofing Materials page, it won’t fade.

One story home with variagated flat tile

Boral tile roof, photo by The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance

Tile with Caution

Tile’s not perfect because there are reasons to not install it.

Cost is one factor since tile is often more expensive than attractive asphalt shingles.

Garvey Roofing also takes the strength of a structure into account on every roofing project.

Some tile choices are heavy and will weigh a house down, but there are lightweight tile options. Thomas Garvey, owner of Garvey Roofing, says tile may sometimes be less weight on a home than certain types of asphalt shingles.

The San Gabriel Valley has lots of trees, but the surrounding trees may make tile less desirable than shingles, especially if you have to get up on the roof and clean it often.

Tile’s not suitable for lower slope roofs so all these factors will be taken into account.