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When you’re looking for a roof replacement, Spanish tile roofs are a compelling option. Every Floridian has seen at least a few Spanish-style homes with roofs made from Spanish tile, and the aesthetics are simply unbeatable. But how well do Spanish tile roofs hold up against Florida’s adverse weather conditions?
Classic Roofing and Construction is here to answer this and all of your questions about Spanish tiles. With more than two decades of local roofing experience, we know the ins and outs of nearly every type of tile. Keep reading to let us explain the benefits and drawbacks of choosing Spanish roofing tiles in Florida!
The History of Spanish Tile Roofs in Florida
Spanish tiles had already been in use in Spain for centuries before they were exported to the New World. Typically used for cathedrals, palaces, and other grand structures, colonists brought Spanish tiles with them to Florida to display their wealth and recreate their communities in the styles of their homeland.
Over time, Spanish roofing tile shifted from being used exclusively for larger structures and began to see use for homes. For homeowners, Spanish tile performed excellently since it resisted Florida’s high winds during storms by locking together via its S-shaped design.
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Spanish tile roofs are as popular in Florida now as they’ve ever been. Because although times have changed, the needs of Floridians for strong, durable roofs have not. However, it’s also true that many Floridians choose not to use Spanish tiles or any sort of tile roof. To make sense of these two facts, we have to look at both the pros and cons of Spanish tile roofs.
Pros and Cons of Spanish Tile Roofs
Spanish tile roofs have a centuries-long history of protection and beauty. To get a full grasp of what this luxury material can offer your Florida home, let’s look at some of the biggest advantages and drawbacks to choosing Spanish roofing tiles for your home.
1. Pro: Durability and Longevity
Life for a roof in Florida is tough. Without even mentioning hurricanes, roofs face constant threats from heavy rains, humidity, and extreme UV exposure. Thankfully, Spanish tile roofs stand up wonderfully against all of these challenges.
In addition to their ability to withstand high winds, Spanish tiles can also reflect UV rays away from your home, thus protecting themselves and lowering your energy bill. And since they lock together, they form an effective barrier to keep water away from your roof decking.
All of these factors create a roofing system that’s built to last. In fact, Spanish clay roof tiles can last for longer than a century with proper installation and maintenance. This makes them one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market!
2. Con: Spanish Tile Roof Costs
As a luxury roofing material, Spanish tiles are more expensive than some other roofing materials on the market. For example, architectural asphalt shingles cost between four and six dollars per square foot. Spanish clay roof tiles, however, cost between nine and 18 dollars per square foot.
For many homeowners, choosing Spanish tile roofs makes sense as an investment in the long-term protection of their homes. However, most homes in Florida have shingle roofs in part because most homeowners can’t afford the high price tag of Spanish tile, so there’s no reason to stretch your budget too much if you can’t easily handle the daunting price tag.
3. Pro: Low Maintenance Roofing
When you’re choosing a new roof, you want one that won’t require a lot of time and money from you in the years to come. If this sounds familiar, then Spanish tile roofs could be the perfect choice for you. Thanks to their great durability, it’s very rare for wind uplift to remove tiles.
That said, there is one occasional issue that tile roofs run into: cracked tiles. It doesn’t happen often, especially thanks to Florida’s warm climate, but sometimes storm debris or hail can crack a tile or two. However, replacing a cracked tile is a simple and affordable repair, so even in this circumstance, you won’t experience much of a headache from your Spanish tile roof.
4. Con: Heavy Weight
Clay Spanish tiles are anything but light. With considerable weight to each individual tile, the burden this roofing system places on your structure can quickly add up. In some cases, a structure may not be able to support a tile roof without installing additional supports.
When you choose experienced tile roofing contractors, they will conduct a quick inspection before starting to work. During this inspection, they should be able to identify whether or not your roof is a good candidate for Spanish tiles or if it will need additional support installed before your roof is replaced.
5. Pro: Varied Color Options
Historically, Spanish tiles tend to come in earthy tones. However, thanks to modern advancements, Spanish tiles are available in a wide array of colors. Shades of red are very popular right now, but in theory, you could choose many other colors to give your roof a personalized aesthetic that suits your vision.
Tile roofs also allow for customization of color and arrangement, so this color versatility will allow you to have a truly unique roof that perfectly suits your home!
Start the Roof Replacement Process Today
Getting a new roof is a major task, especially in Florida where you know that your roof will be tested by the elements. But at Classic Roofing and Construction, our job is to make it as easy for you as possible. Whether you decide to get a Spanish tile roof or you choose another roofing material, our experienced, in-house crew has your back.
We even make it easy to get started with the roof replacement process! All you have to do is schedule your free roofing estimate and one of our roofing experts will come out to inspect your roof and have a brief chat about your roofing options. Once that’s done, they’ll compile all of that information into a personalized roofing estimate that’s tailored to your needs and your roof’s specifications.
In our more than 20 years of local roofing, we’ve earned hundreds of reviews and great standing in our Florida community. Reach out to us today and see why, even after all this time, we still do things the Classic way!
