What You Need to Know Before a Tile Roof Replacement

Tile roof replacements create some of the strongest roofing systems in Tampa Bay. But whether you’re upgrading your roof for the first time or replacing your old tile roofing system, installation is everything. An improperly installed tile roof can create serious issues for years or decades to come. That’s why it’s incredibly important to be choosy when selecting a tile roof replacement company.

At Classic Roofing and Construction, we’re no strangers to tile roof replacements. We know how beautiful these roofing systems are, as well as how careful a roofer has to be during installation to make sure the roof is protected from Florida’s tropical weather patterns.

To give you peace of mind throughout the tile roof replacement process, we’re going to walk you through the major decisions you’ll need to make. And that starts with choosing what type of tile you want for your roof replacement.

Tile Roof Replacement Step 1: Choosing a Type of Tile

When it comes to tile roofing, there are two popular types in Tampa Bay: concrete and clay. Each has its own pros and cons, so let’s look at your options when it comes to a tile roof replacement in Florida.

Clay Tiles

When you think of tile roofing, you probably think of clay tiles. These generally come in natural colors, particularly reds and browns. And clay tiles are particularly resistant to Florida’s inclement weather. Since clay tiles are so heavy, they’re extremely resistant to wind uplift, even in major hurricanes. They also absorb very little water, which means that they will stay strong and rot-free for years to come.

As a result of all these features, clay tiles are unmatched for longevity, with lifespans of up to a century or longer. But that doesn’t mean that clay tiles are completely without downsides.

For one thing, clay tiles’ heavy weight makes them unsuitable for some types of homes. If your roof can’t support this weight, you may need additional support installed, which can drive up installation costs. And those costs can already be quite high—in terms of tile roof replacement costs, clay tiles cost about $10 per square foot before adding in labor costs. This makes them one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market.

Concrete Tiles

If you want a more affordable tile roof replacement, concrete tiles are an excellent option. While they’re far from a cheap roofing material, they’re much more affordable at around $7 per square foot. And visually, many people struggle to tell clay from concrete tiles, so you shouldn’t lose any of the aesthetic value of your new tile roof.

In terms of lifespan, concrete tiles don’t last as long as clay, but you can still expect to get about 30-50 years of service from your tile roof. And for Florida, with its tropical storms and hurricanes, that’s still great longevity for your investment.

For clay tiles’ downsides, it’s more vulnerable to water absorption and mold than tile. As a result of this and their heavier weight, concrete tiles often require more maintenance than clay tiles. This is important to keep in mind during the tile roof replacement process, as your choice could affect how much you spend on roofing maintenance in the decades to come.

Tile Roof Replacement Step 2: Selecting a Style of Tile

There are good reasons to choose either clay or concrete for your tile roof replacement. But choosing one type of tile or the other isn’t the end. You’ll also need to select which style of roofing tile you want for your tile roof replacement. And it’s important to think this over carefully, because the style of tile will affect both the aesthetics of your home and the function of your roofing system.

In Tampa Bay, the most common styles for roofing tiles are:

• Mission Tiles: Also called barrel tiles, these iconic tiles are known for their convex shape, similar to that of a barrel. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of mission tiles is how their curved style creates distinctive shadow lines at different points of the day.
• Spanish Tiles: Spanish tiles have grown a lot in popularity across Tampa Bay, but especially in Pinellas County. Similar to mission tiles, Spanish tiles also have a barrel shape. But where they differ is their distinctive S-shape, which creates a wave-like aesthetic.
• French Tiles: French tiles create a more low-profile look for your home. This interlocking tile features two deep grooves, or flutes, that create a distinctive aesthetic and allow for improved water drainage on your roof.
• Flat Tiles: If you’re after a sleek aesthetic for your tile roof replacement, then flat tiles could be for you. Like French tiles, these also interlock, and their simple design makes them a more affordable type of tile roofing. When installed, these can be applied in a multidimensional pattern, similar to how a roofer may apply wood shakes.

Tile Roof Replacement Step 3: Picking the Best Local Roofers

A tile roof replacement isn’t just about what you put on your roof. As we mentioned at the start, an improper tile roof installation could cost you a lot of time and money in the long run. That’s why you need to make sure you’re picking the best local roofers who know how to get your roof ready to withstand hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, and long-term UV exposure.

One of the best ways to make sure you’re picking good roofers for your tile roof replacement is to read the reviews. Roofing companies might exaggerate their experience and quality of service, but their reviews are often more honest. So when you need a tile roof replacement, only choose roofers who have your community backing them.

Estimates are another key way to tell if you can trust roofers. At Classic, we understand that collecting multiple estimates is just part of the tile roof replacement process. That’s why we make it simple to get your free roofing estimate and why we don’t pressure people into committing to us before they’ve seen other options. We’re confident in the quality of our work and the fairness of our pricing, which is why we’re not worried about you seeing other offers.

If you feel ready to get started with your tile roof replacement, give Classic a chance. We’ve been installing and repairing tile roofs across the Greater Tampa Bay area for 20 years, and we know you’ll love our experienced roofers and excellent customer service.

Tile Roof Replacement – The Video