Concrete Tile Roofing Cost Comparison & Calculator

When homeowners look into the prospect of installing a new roof, various factors affect the final cost. The most basic include the total area of roofing, type of roofing, style of tiles, and price per square. 

The average cost of tile roofs is $700 to $800 per square. However, this can go as low as $400 per square and as high as $1,000 per square as well. Roofing tiles are available in concrete and clay, but homeowners can choose from a range of different shapes and styles. In fact, it can even be designed to look like wood shake. 

Here’s what you’ll find on this page 

• What affects the cost? 
• Types of tile roofing
• Tile Roof Costs
• Comparisons
• Installation costs for tile roofing 
• Brands of tile roofing materials
• How to choose the best roofing company for the installation
• Frequently asked questions

Why Square And Not Square Feet? 

When calculating the price of your home’s roofing project, remember that professionals measure the size of a roof in “squares” rather than square feet. There are 100 square feet in one square, homes in the U.S. have, on average, 22 to 26 squares. 

Compared to square feet, it’s a more convenient method to articulate the area of a roof. In some cases, builders describe floor plans in squares, but the roof will be larger than the floor area it covers. 

What’s The Typical Cost? 

For a larger home with a garage, you’ll need around 3,600 square feet of roofing – this includes the slope of the roof as well.  Towards the lower range, it would cost around $34,200, while the average would be about $43,200. Of course, it could also cost somewhere near the higher range of $55,800. 

What Affects The Cost? 

So will my cost be in the low, average or higher range? That will depend on the following factors. 

Roofing Tile Style

Roofing tiles come in a variety of different designs in styles, all of which differ in terms of cost. The general rule is that simpler designs cost less. 

For instance, concrete styles that are designed to look like wood shakes are easy to manufacture and take up less material for each square foot. Hence, they cost less than traditional styles like Spanish or Roman tiles. 

Roofing Material Quality 

Some of the common warranties you can get on concrete tiles are 40-year, 50-year, and lifetime. If you choose tiles of better quality and a longer warranty, the final cost will be much higher too. Concrete tiles from most brands come with a lifetime warranty, so you have a bigger selection of premium materials. 

Removing Old Roofing 

In many cases, the final cost of your roofing project will also include the cost of removing old roofing. Unless the roof is for a new structure, previous roofing needs to be removed, especially in the case of terracotta, clay, or concrete, because these materials are generally heavy. 

You can install a new roof over previous asphalt roofing, but this method can reduce the longevity of the tiles by 15 to 25 percent. Not to mention, it would make for a much heavier roof. 

Additional Accessories 

In a roofing project, you don’t just pay for the tiles and installation, because certain enhancements, regardless of whether or not you want them, are necessary to maintain the integrity of your roof. This includes boosted tiles spaced throughout the roof field and ridge caps with a detailed design and higher profile. Such enhancements tend to add to the final cost. 

Installation 

Although there isn’t a wide variety of installation methods to choose from, whether or not you choose to get battens installed can significantly affect the cost. If your roofing contractor installs the tiles on to the roof directly, it will cost less than installing battens first and then fastening tiles onto them. 

Need for Additional Roofing Support 

Asphalt shingles weigh 150 to 400 pounds per square (100 square feet). On the other hand, tile weighs 575 to 1,100 pounds per square, based on the material used. 

In most states, building codes require that homeowners upgrade the roof frame to increase its strength before installing new roofing that weighs over 600 pounds per square. 

Your roofing contractor can check if your roof’s trusses need to be reinforced to safely hold the weight of a concrete or clay tile roof.  

Roof Complexity 

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but a single-story, four-corner roof with gables and no additional accessories such as skylights will have the lowest labor costs. So then what does increase installation costs? 

Hips and dormers, a roof with a steeper slope, additional corners, and other features that increase labor time will add to your installation cost. 

If you’re installing a roof on the second story or more, the cost will increase drastically because it’s a challenge for the contractor to get materials to the roof. 

Climate Conditions 

If you live in a region prone to cold and wet climate, contractors will have to install additional materials to protect your roof and home from ice dams, moisture, and cycles that involve freezing and thawing. 

Location 

Just like the prices for most consumer prices, the cost for concrete tile roofing is higher on the east and west coast. Prices are lowest in rural areas of the Midwest and South, as well as smaller towns. As for the rest of the country, you’ll pay somewhere around the average price range. 

Types Of Tile Roofing 

Originally, tiles come in styles such as flat shake, double roman, and Spanish, while others are similar to these, but with slight variations.  

RivieraTile

Riviera tiles are similar to double roman tiles, but they have flattened arches rather than rounded ones. It has similar water courses running through it, but the bumps have edges and are flatter compared to double roman tiles’ rounded bumps. When homeowners want a dramatic shading pattern for their roof, Riviera tiles are recommended. 

On average, this will cost you $3 to $5 per square foot. 

French Tile

Also called ‘profile’ by some roofers, look like an upside-down roman double tile – instead of rounded humps, it has deep indents. This prevents water retention on the roof i.e. your roof will shed more water when it rains. 

On average, French tiles cost $3.20 to $3.90 per square foot.  

Barrel Tile

Roofers often use the term ‘barrel’ to describe semi-cylindrical tiles like Roman and Spanish types. However, barrel tiles were originally tapered, with one end being narrower than the other. Traditionally, clay tiles would get their shape from being curved over a clay worker’s leg but are now mass-produced in their original shape. These are mostly used on curved roofs because of their tapered design. 

You’ll pay an average of between $3 and $6.50 per square foot for barrel tiles. 

ScandiaTile

This is similar to a reverse Spanish tile. It gives the visual effect of sharp ridges and wide courses for smooth water flow. 

You’ll pay an average of between $2 and $4 per square foot for Scandia tiles. 

SpanishTile

A classic roofing style, Spanish tiles have an appearance similar to rows on oscillating waves with wide water flow courses between tiles. You’ll see this style of roofing in areas prone to infrequent, yet heavy rainfall that can saturate dried and porous materials. On the other hand, concrete can handle these attacks from the elements effectively. 

Spanish tiles will cost you between $2 and $4 per square foot, on average. 

Flat Shake

Flat shake tiles usually come in concrete and can resemble different shingle styles, such as wood shake and granulated asphalt. Unlike Spanish and double Roman tiles, flat shake tiles don’t have water courses, but they do have smooth, flat surfaces that keep water from trapping between the tiles. Completed roofing projects have a distinct finished look that caters to a variety of tastes. 

The average cost of flat shake tiles is between $2.29 and $2.49 per square foot. 

Pantiles

Originally, pantiles were made from clay. That is until concrete pantiles seemed like a cost-effective solution in the 20^th century. The shape looks like a flattened letter ‘S’, which allows it to give a visual effect similar to that of ripples on the water surface. Homeowners prefer this tile because it gives the property a traditional ‘Old World’ appearance. 

On average, pantiles will cost you $2.50 per square footing. 

Double Roman Style 

At first glance, double Roman tiles look similar to Spanish tiles but if you look closely, the double Roman style has distinct ribs that stand out, while Spanish tiles have a wave-like appearance. A desirable option to achieve a Mediterranean look, double Roman tiles have smaller courses to allow water flow, but they are more in number. Double Roman tiles are commonly made from concrete but there are terracotta and clay versions as well. 

The average cost of double Roman tiles is between $2.25 and $4.80 per square foot. 

Costs for Tile Roofing Material 

The abovementioned tile styles are made using materials such as terracotta, clay, and concrete, all of which are resistant to rot, insects, and fire. But since all of them are rigid materials, you can’t avoid the issue of breakage. 

• Concrete costs between $4 and $9 per square foot
• Clay is a little pricier, costing between $5 and $10 per square foot 
• Terracotta costs the most, ranging between $6 and $15 per square foot 

Not to mention, your roofing project will also require specific ‘ridge’ tiles for the points where two sides meet. At points where three or more sides come together, like on a hipped roof, you need apexes, a special shape of tile. 

If ridged tiles aren’t hipped, they need ‘end caps’. If they’re hipped, the ends of hipped ridges require ‘hip ends’. If a roof isn’t hipped, it’ll need verge tiles to keep the roof beams underneath protected, just like fascia. Moreover, vents will require pipe coverings to make sure they stay protected. 

Lastly, you can get roof tiles shaped, colored, or glazed to your liking. However, you should expect to pay at least $10 to $30 more per square foot for customization. 

Comparisons 

While each of the materials shares some features, they do compare differently in terms of durability, maintenance, and other factors.  

Concrete Tile Roof

Advantages 

• Lower cost per square foot 
• Affordable maintenance
• Available in any shape and color 
• Lightweight in comparison to other materials 
• Long-lasting  

Disadvantages 

• Color fades with time 
• Takes more effort to install 
• Takes more time to install than asphalt shingles 

Clay Tile Roof 

Advantages 

• Looks better than concrete, mostly with Italian or Spanish style architecture
• Long-lasting durability 
• Easy to maintain 

Disadvantages 

• Heavier than concrete (you’re looking at 8 to 10 pounds per tile) 
• Takes more time to install properly 
• Darkens with time (this will eventually impact internal temperature) 

Terracotta Tile Roof 

Advantages 

• Most long-lasting material (ancient structures that used terracotta are still just as strong today) 
• Color doesn’t change with time (ancient buildings and artifacts haven’t lost color) 
• Reflects heat so the internal temperature stays cool 

Disadvantages 

• Most expensive option 
• Heaviest 
• Can’t install tiles correctly without specific tools 

Installation Costs for Tile Roofing 

Although, in theory, you can DIY it and install your own roof, it would be a laborious process that requires numerous specialty tools and professional equipment. Most importantly, it’ll take you a lot of time (say goodbye to enjoying the weekend). 

So unless you’ve worked as a roofer and have your own team of certified professionals, we suggest that you hire a contractor to get the job done efficiently. As we mentioned before, most homes in the U.S. have a roof size of 22 to 26 squares, while larger homes have 36 squares. 

Removing the Previous Roof 

For starters, before you even get the new roof installed, you need to get the current one removed. This will cost anywhere between $100 and $150 per square. But in many cases, the current roof is already installed over a previous roof, which would make your roof about two to three layers thick. 

If it’s two layers thick, you’ll be paying from $115 to $165 per square for removal. In contrast, it will cost you between $125 and $175 for a three-layered roof. 

Replacing or Installing Underlayment 

If you’re constructing a new home, installing underlayment is crucial for sound-proofing the home and protecting the boards that support the concrete tiles. If you’re installing a new roof, then the underlayment will need to be replaced. 

Usually, this is made from rubberized felt and it costs about $2.15 to $2.86 per square foot. Of course, this value depends on what your roof needs. Nonetheless, the average cost of underlayment for a 2,400 square foot roof would be around $6,000. 

Adding Roof Support

If your current roof is asphalt shingles and you’re looking to replace them with concrete or clay tile, this will triple or even quadruple how much weight the trusses and beams have to carry. The average weight of a square of asphalt shingles is 225 pounds. In comparison, one square of tile roofing weighing 600 pounds is in the lighter range, and 960 pounds is fairly common as well. 

Therefore, if your roof requires additional support, you’ll have to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000. We know it’s a fairly big range, but it entirely depends on what tile material you select and how much extra support it will need. 

Delivery Expenses 

Even though a lot of material and equipment suppliers offer services like free delivery, this might not be possible if you live farther from their location. As a result, you’ll need to pay for the extra distance they have to cover. Again, this depends on how far you live from the supplier’s point of origin, so your costs can fall between $600 and $1,000. 

Tiles 

Compared to asphalt shingles, concrete or clay tiles are a little pricier. Here are a few examples of prices you should expect to spend on a 22 square roof. 

• Flat shake concrete tile would cost $10,000 
• Double Roman clay tiles would cost $11,000 
• Spanish terracotta tiles would cost $13,200 

Tile Sealer 

Tile sealer will cost you between $20 and $40 per gallon. Each gallon will cover around 1,000 square feet with a thickness of 1 mil. However, use tile sealer for your roof is optional, so if you end up using it, you’ll need to reseal the roof once every year. 

If you have cracked tiles, using tile sealer can prolong its life for about a year, but you can also choose to replace the roof in this time. In the end, it entirely depends on your budget and your priorities. 

Once your contractor provides the estimate, make sure that it includes 

• Removal and disposal of the previous roof 
• Installing the new roof 
• Buying and transporting equipment 
• Permits
• Labor 

Brands of Tile Roofing Materials

If you’ve decided on getting a tile roof for your upcoming roofing project, you’ll need to choose a manufacturer that produces high-quality concrete or clay tiles. We’ve done the heavy-lifting and listed down some of the top roofing tile brands so you don’t have to. While some manufacturers only rely on one material, others use a variety of different materials to create unique styles of roofing tiles. 

Boral Roof

For starters, there’s Boral Roof, a company that specializes in different types of roofing materials. That includes concrete, clay, composite, and steel. Their concrete roofing tiles are popular for their aesthetics and color variety. 

Some of their popular tile designs include Barcelona and the Saxony 900 Shake, which mimics the appearance of traditional wooden shake. The Saxony 900 Shake has a similar appeal to hand-hewn shakes, making them great for cottage style, Victorian craftsman, or French country architecture. 

On the other hand, the Barcelona tiles look like a modern version of old-world Spanish tiles. 

Vande Hey Raleigh 

Based in Wisconsin, Vande Hey Raleigh manufactures and distributes concrete roof tiles across the U.S. and Canada. Some of their more famous concrete tile options include their Riviera, a Mediterranean/Spanish roof tile with exposed ribs. It has a semi-flat shape that creates diagonal shadow lines. As a result, you get an exclusive-looking roofline and a far more symmetrical look. 

Vande Hey Raleigh has been in business for over four decades and has developed over 4,000 different blends, colors, and shades of roofing tiles for their clients. They have colors like Dark Putty and Brookville Green, but you can work with them to create a custom blend as well.They even suggest sequencing the colors for a more exclusive appearance. 

Auburn Tile Inc. 

Auburn Tile Inc. features two models of concrete tile, the regular weight tile, and the lightweight tile. Each of these models is available in a variety of colors and two different finishes, smooth slate and traditional shake. 

Their color range includes four different series, a standard series, neo-classic series, Southwest series, and specialty colors. These tiles give your home the old world look and are fire-resistant. 

BraasMonier Building Group 

BraasMonier Building Group’s concrete tiles are cured at high temperatures for just enough time that they’re strong enough to be transported and installed within a few days of being manufactured. Eventually, they become sturdier over time.

Considering that the production process is rather energy-efficient and the tiles have a long life cycle, concrete roofing tiles have a small environmental footprint. Their latest product is a concrete tile featuring their innovative Aerlox technology – it features the same durability of concrete tile with less weight. This can benefit homeowners with weaker roof construction since they won’t need additional support. 

Crown Roof Tiles 

Crown Roof Tiles has a Signature and Clay series. Their signature series includes a variety of different profiles, like the Sanibel, Tuscany, Windsor Slate, and Windsor Shake. While Sanibel has ahigh barrel, the Tuscany tile has soft curves, and the Windsor slate has a smooth profile. Lastly, the Windsor Shake tile mimics the appearance of traditional wooden shake. 

Eagle Roofing

Eagle Roofing was founded in 1989 and manufacture high-quality concrete roofing tiles. They’re one of the largest concrete roof tile manufacturers in the U.S. and have one of the best warranties in the industry. Their tiles go through a rigorous testing process to ensure durability and energy-efficient performance.

You can choose from a large collection of textures, colors, and profiles to find the perfect concrete tile for your roofing project. Their extensive array of tiles complement different architectural designs. 

How to Choose the Best Tile Installer

We’ve listed down some of the best brands you can choose roofing tiles from, now it’s up to you to find out which manufacturer suits your needs. But what about an installer? That’s right, you need to select a reliable roofing company to install your roof, especially since tiles are heavier than metal roofing and shingles. Making the additional effort to find a trusted roofing contractor will pay off in the long run. 

Get Referrals from Fellow Homeowners 

For starters, you should get referrals from other homeowners in your area. Since they live in the same locality, they experience the same climate conditions and weather. As a result, they’d know which contractor would be the best professional for the job. In addition, they’ll also provide feedback on the roofing services they have contracted. 

To get a first-hand look ata company’s roofing job, you can visit nearby homes to see the quality and learn whether homeowners had any problems. It’s always advisable that you contract services from a contractor based in your local community because they’ll be most knowledgeable about building codes and regulations. Community roofing contractors will also have access to a vast networkof businesses, like suppliers and building crews. 

Look Up the Contractor’s Ratings on BBB

If you want an objective way to determine whether or not to contract a roofer, check the Better Business Bureau ratings. Check the BBB website to see if the contractor you’re considering has a good enough score. Also, be careful not to hire roofing companies that aren’t listed on BBB.org. 

Invest in a Good Warranty 

It’s crucial that in addition to choosing durable roofing equipment and tiles, you invest in a proper warranty that provides coverage for the contractor’s work. This is important because if a hired contractor doesn’t install a roof properly, it can take months or years after the roofing project is completed for the damage to surface. 

In fact, your home insurance won’t cover it either. Hence, sourcing a trusted roofing contractor that offers extended workmanship warranties will give you peace of mind. 

Check if the Employees Have Adequate Safety Training 

Installing concrete tiles for a roof is a tiring and demanding process, which makes safety training significant criteria. If you’re considering hiring a roofing company that doesn’textensively train their employees and staff with safety measures and precautions, you’re making a big mistake. 

There’s a possibility that the company’s roofers don’t have official safety training for responding to emergency situations. Not only does it put you and your family in a potentially dangerous situation, but increases the probability of you facing a lawsuit if a roofer is injured on your property. 

Are They Licensed and Insured? 

When deciding upon which roofing company will be the best one for the job, you should always make sure that they provide insurance to their workers and subcontractors. Also, you shouldn’t just take their word for it, because they should be able to provide adequate documentation so you can validate them and make a decision. One example of relevant documentation is a copy of their insurance certificate. 

If they don’t have valid insurance, there’s a big chance of you facing litigation from the contractor if one of their employees is injured while on your property. Although roofing contractors and other trade skill specialists need a proper license before they can start practicing, many unlicensed try to pass off as licensed ones. 

Pay the Insurance Deductible 

When the contractor you’re considering claims that they can manage the roofing project without requiring you to pay the insurance deductible, consider it a red flag. Not paying the deductible is equivalent to insurance fraud, which puts you at enormous risk.

Since you’re the insured party, it’s your job to pay the deductible, while your contractor needs to show that in the quote as a separate cost. Be careful to check that the contractor doesn’t increase the roofing project estimate so that it covers the cost of your insurance deductible, instead of actually getting you to pay it. 

Handle Your Insurance Claim Yourself 

If a contractor claims that they’re a specialist in handling your claim, you shouldn’t let them handle your insurance claim. Contractors who pose as specialists are breaking the law. In numerous states, it’s illegal for a contractor to act on their client’s behalf and handling their insurance claim. If you’re considering hiring a contractor who says that they’ll handle your claim for you, it may potentially lead to legal action. To sum it up, they’re not acting in your best interest. 

Learn About the Different Options Available 

When you’re making an investment as big as a roofing project, you need to rely on a roofing company that wants the best for you. Roofing companies that try to help you navigate through the different types of concrete tiles want to make sure that their client is satisfied. After all, the roofing tiles you choose for the building or remodeling project can drastically impact your home’s resale value. 

If the insurance company will be paying for the roofing project, it’s best to change its color, style,and material type to something that’s more fitting for your needs. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t only be taking information from your contractor – do your homework and find out about roofing materials on your own.

This way, you’ll have peace of mind about making the right choice. Let’s not forget that a roof lasts for years so selecting a material that offers a better return on investment is essential. 

Get a Complete Estimate before Signing a Contract with Them 

Be wary of roofing companies that try to pressure you into signing a contract before giving a cost estimate from the insurance company. You should be especially careful of contractors who claim that they can complete the project with ‘just about any amount provided by the insurance company’. 

It’s your responsibility as the homeowner to get an accurate amount as an estimate rather than just a projection. Furthermore, have the roofing company thoroughly evaluate your home to check if the insurance company properly estimated the costs and didn’t miss out on any expenses. 

FAQs

Many homeowners have questions about getting a tile roof for their upcoming roofing project. Here, we’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions.