What is Clay Tile?
Often chosen for
- Homes with existing clay tile roofs
- Mediterranean or Spanish-style houses
- Owners prioritizing longevity and appearance
Types and installation methods
| Barrel / Spanish (S-tile) | Curved tiles with the classic Mediterranean look. |
| Flat clay tile | Flat or interlocking profiles, including shingle-style tiles. |
| Glazed vs unglazed | Glazed tiles have a fired-on glossy finish; unglazed show natural clay color. |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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How long does Clay Tile last?
Estimated life expectancy: 100+ years (clay/concrete tile), from InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. InterNACHI says these figures assume regular maintenance and normal wear and are guidelines, not guarantees. Real service life depends on installation quality, drainage, exposure and upkeep.
Signs your Clay Tile roof needs repair
- Cracked, slipped or missing tiles
- Leaks under intact tiles (often underlayment)
- Failed flashing at walls, chimneys and valleys
- Mortar at ridges and hips cracking
Repair or replace?
Broken tiles can be replaced and sections relaid over new underlayment. If the underlayment has failed across the roof, the usual approach is to remove the tiles, install new underlayment and flashing, and reinstall the original tiles, replacing only broken ones. Full replacement with new tile is rarely needed for the tiles themselves.
What affects the cost
We price every job after inspecting and measuring the roof. These are the main factors:
- How many tiles can be salvaged vs replaced
- Availability of matching tile
- Underlayment and flashing renewal
- Roof pitch, height and access
- Ridge, hip and mortar work
[Owner: optional typical price range from your own jobs. Leave out if you prefer quoting per job]
Clay Tile in Brooklyn & NYC
Clay tile is less common in Brooklyn than flat roofs and shingles, but appears on some detached homes in neighborhoods like Midwood and Flatbush. [Owner to confirm 1–2 real clay tile jobs with photos]
Our process
- Inspection & photos
We inspect the roof, drains and flashing and document what we find. - Written estimate
Scope, materials and options in writing before work starts. - Installation or repair
Clay Tile work done to the manufacturer's instructions. [Owner: manufacturers/brands you install] - Clean-up & final photos
Debris removed, final walkthrough and photos.
Compare other tile roofing options
Concrete Tile · Slate Roofing · Composite Tiles · Metal Roofing · All tile roofing systems