A tile roof adds a classic, timeless feeling to any home. Clay, concrete and terracotta tile are all highly durable—often lasting for 50 years—and are environmentally friendly as well. While a tile roof is expensive, many homeowners find the cost worthwhile when amortized throughout the roof’s long lifespan. An average-size 1,600-square-foot house with 2,000 square feet of roof will cost between $16,000 and $50,000 with an average cost of $28,000.
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Average Tile Roof Installation Cost
| Average Tile Roof Installation Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $28,000 | |
| Highest Cost | $50,000 | |
| Lowest Cost | $16,000 | |
By Square Foot
Roof tile costs between $8 and $25 per square foot, with an average cost of $16 to $17 per square foot.
| Roof Size | Roofing Squares | Low Cost Estimate | High Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | 10 | $8,000 | $25,000 |
| 1,500 square feet | 15 | $12,000 | $37,500 |
| 2,000 square feet | 20 | $16,000 | $50,000 |
| 2,500 square feet | 25 | $20,000 | $62,500 |
| 2,750 square feet | 28 | $22,000 | $68,750 |
By Type of Tile
- Concrete roof tile: Concrete tile is the least expensive type of roofing tile and the lightest, but it’s also the least weather-resistant. Concrete tiles cost between $2 and $4 per square foot, materials only, or $9 to $18 installed.
- Clay roof tile: Clay tile is the hardest and heaviest roof tile, but it’s also a good, moderately priced roof tile at about $3 to $7 per square foot, materials only, or $8 to $25 installed.
- Terracotta roof tile: Terracotta tile is a premium roofing option, but it’s also premium-priced at around $5 to $10 per square foot, materials only, or $10 to $25 installed.
By Style
- Flat tile: At $9 or less per square foot, flat roof tiles are the easiest to manufacture and also the easiest type of roof tile to install.
- Barrel tile: Barrel-style roof tiles, costing around $10 to $13 per square foot, have a high profile and add a classic look to a home.
- Pantile tile: With a distinctive, low-rise S-shape, pantile tiles cost about $8 to $10 per square foot.
- French tile: French roof tile, known for its four-sided locking feature and prominent flutes, costs between $9 and $11 per square foot.
- Riviera tile: Riviera, or Mediterranean, roof tile has a semi-flat appearance and costs between $9 and $11 per square foot.
Benefits of Tile Roofing
- Roof tile lasts longer than almost any other type of roofing material.
- Made of clay or concrete rather than petroleum-based materials, roofing tiles are environmentally friendly—plus, they can be recycled.
- Roof tiles have a gap between the roof deck and the tiles, creating a barrier for sun and heat.
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Drawbacks of Tile Roofing
- Heavy roofing materials require adequate structural support.
- Brittle roof tiles will crack or shatter if impacted, which is a negative for homes in wooded areas.
- Roof tiles collect debris in the troughs, so regular cleaning is necessary.
Factors That Affect the Cost of a Tile Roof Installation
Size of the Roof
Roofs are measured in terms of squares: single units, each unit 100 square feet in size. The more squares that comprise your roof, the more tiles, peripheral materials, workers and time are required to roof your house.
Roof Configuration
Roof configuration is an important factor with tile roof installations since tiles are more difficult to cut and fit than conventional composite (or, asphalt) shingles. A simple two-sided gable roof or a four-sided hip roof are basic roof configurations. Adding more ridges, hips and valleys increase the time spent on the project, so labor costs increase.
Type of Tile
Whether you choose clay, concrete or terracotta tile will affect the roof tile installation cost. Concrete roof tiles are the least expensive. Terracotta tiles are the most expensive, about double the cost of concrete roof tiles.
Extra Costs Associated With Tile Roof Installation or Replacement
Roof Repair
If the roofing deck is found to be damaged once the shingles have been removed, carpenters may need to repair the roof.
Vents and Protrusions
More protrusions on a house require more materials and more time. These include flashing, plumbing boots, vent stacks, skylights, chimneys and more.
Area
Parts of the west and southwestern United States, including Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona, have large markets for tile roofs. So, supplies are more prevalent and there is a large workforce of experienced roofers.
DIY Tile Roof Installation or Repair vs. Calling a Roofer
Roof installation is a complex home project that typically requires a professional roofing company. Tile roofing is an even more specialized subset of roofing that few homeowners should attempt to install on their own.
Repairing cracked or missing tiles on a tile roof can be a do-it-yourself job. Small cracks can be cleaned, filled with roofing cement and troweled smooth. Individual tiles can be replaced by lifting tiles around the broken tile.
How Often Should Tile Roofs Be Replaced?
Tile roofs have no set replacement schedule. They can be replaced on an as-needed basis. A well-maintained tile roof should last 50 years or for the entire ownership of the house. Usually, the underlayment, flashing and battens will develop issues before any problems with the tiles.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many years does a tile roof last?
Traditional tile roofs have lasted for centuries, though occasionally some tiles may have had to be removed and replaced. Generally, the tiles on modern tile roofs can last about 50 years. The underlayment lasts for up to 40 years.
Can tile roofs be repaired?
Yes, tile roofs can be repaired. In fact, the easy repairability of tile roofs is one of their chief advantages. Individual tiles with minor cracks can be repaired with plastic roofing cement without removing the tile. Larger cracks can be addressed by removing and replacing the entire tile.
Are tile roofs expensive?
Relative to other types of roofing materials, tile roofs are considered to be expensive. With composite shingle roofs costing from $5 to $12 per square foot, tile roofs’ $8 to $25 per square foot average cost is considerably higher. The high cost can be balanced out over the long term by the tile’s durability and low maintenance costs.
Which is better tile roofs or shingles?
Solely on the basis of cost, a shingle roof is better than a tile roof. Shingles are good for roofing houses in a variety of climates and conditions. If the roof deck has weight issues, shingles clearly are better because they weigh far less than tiles. But tiles do last longer than shingles, require less maintenance and perform better in high-temperature climates.
Do tile roofs leak?
Like every other type of roofing material, tile roofs can leak. Leaks in tile roofs can often be traced to poor installation, the quality of the tile, cracks in the tile and age.
Can you walk on tile roofs?
Yes, you can walk on tile roofs, but it’s best to avoid doing so as much as possible. If you do need to walk on a tile roof, try to wear soft-soled shoes, walk only on the bottom 3 inches of each tile as this is the supported section, walk on the troughs not the peaks and avoid walking on any cracked tiles.
How well do tile roofs hold up by climate?
Roof tiles are created by firing them in kilns at high temperatures, so they’re practically made for hot, dry climates. Clay tiles reduce solar gain in a house by up to 33% for red tiles and 70% to 80% for white clay tiles. For freezing climates, avoid clay tiles but composite tiles are an acceptable substitute.
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