Tile Roofing That Looks Right and Lasts in Florida
Tile roofs define Florida architecture. When they're installed correctly and maintained properly, they outlast nearly every other roofing material on the market. We install, repair, and maintain tile roofs across the Gulf Coast.
If you drive through most Florida neighborhoods — especially anything built in the last 30 years — you'll see tile roofs everywhere. There's a reason for that. Concrete and clay tile handle Florida's UV, heat, and wind better than most materials, they look good doing it, and they can last 50 years or longer when the installation is done right.
But here's the thing most homeowners don't realize about their tile roof: the tiles themselves almost never fail. What fails is everything underneath them.
The underlayment deteriorates. The flashings corrode. The mortar on the ridge and hip tiles cracks and lets water in. And because the tiles on top still look fine from the ground, the homeowner has no idea there's a problem until water starts showing up inside the house. That's why tile roof maintenance and periodic underlayment replacement are so critical in Florida — and why you need a crew that actually understands tile systems, not just one that knows how to nail shingles.
We've been working on tile roofs across Florida's Gulf Coast for decades. New installations, full re-tiles, underlayment replacements, broken tile repairs, ridge resets — all of it. If it involves tile, we've done it thousands of times.
Tile Roofing Styles We Install and Repair
The main types of tile roofing used in Florida are concrete barrel tile, clay barrel tile (also called Spanish tile or terracotta tile), concrete flat tile, and clay flat tile. Concrete tile is the most common due to its lower cost and wide availability. Clay tile is more expensive but lighter, more color-stable, and typically lasts longer. Both provide excellent wind resistance and UV durability in Florida's climate.
Concrete Barrel Tile
Clay Barrel Tile (Spanish / Terracotta)
Flat Concrete Tile
Clay Flat Tile
The Part of Your Tile Roof You Can't See Is the Part That Fails
This is the most important section on this page, so read it carefully if you have a tile roof.
Your tiles are probably fine. Concrete and clay tile can sit on a roof for 50, 60, even 75 years and still be structurally sound. The tile itself is incredibly durable. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the underlayment — the waterproof membrane between the tiles and the plywood deck — does not last that long. Standard felt underlayment in Florida's heat breaks down in 15–20 years. Even higher-quality synthetic underlayment has a 20–25 year effective lifespan under tile in our climate.
When the underlayment fails, your tiles are still sitting there looking great from the street, but water is getting through to the deck. The deck starts to rot. Mold grows. And by the time you see a water stain on your ceiling, the damage underneath has been building for months or years.
This is the single biggest issue we see on tile roofs in Florida. Homeowners think their roof is fine because the tiles look fine. But under those tiles, the underlayment has turned to dust.
THE FIX: UNDERLAYMENT REPLACEMENT (RE-TILE)
This is one of the most common services we perform. We carefully remove the existing tiles, strip the old underlayment, inspect and repair the deck, install new high-quality synthetic underlayment, and reinstall the original tiles. If any tiles broke during removal (it happens — they're brittle), we replace them with matching tiles.
The result is essentially a brand-new roof using your existing tiles. It costs significantly less than a full new tile roof, and it resets the clock on your underlayment for another 20–25 years.
If your tile roof is 20+ years old and has never had the underlayment replaced, it's time to have it inspected.
Tile Roofing Services
New Tile Roof Installation
Full tile roof installation on new construction or re-roof projects. We work with the builder or homeowner to select the right tile profile, color, and material for the home's architecture and the owner's budget. Every tile is mechanically fastened — not just set in mortar — for maximum wind resistance in Florida's hurricane zones.
Underlayment Replacement (Re-Tile)
Our most-requested tile service. We remove the existing tiles, replace the underlayment (and any damaged decking), and reinstall the tiles. Resets your roof's waterproofing for another 20–25 years at a fraction of the cost of a complete new tile roof.
Tile Repair and Replacement
Cracked, broken, or missing tiles from storms, fallen branches, or foot traffic. We carry a wide inventory of common tile profiles and colors for quick repairs, and we can source discontinued or specialty tiles for older homes that need an exact match.
Ridge and Hip Reset
The mortar along your ridge line and hip lines cracks over time — it's one of the most common tile roof issues in Florida. We remove the old mortar, reset the ridge and hip tiles with fresh mortar or a foam adhesive system, and seal them. This stops a major source of water intrusion that most homeowners don't notice until it's caused interior damage.
Tile Roof Inspections
Full tile roof inspection with a written report. We check tile condition, underlayment age and condition (via test lifts), flashing integrity, ridge mortar, valleys, and drainage. Especially critical for tile roofs approaching or past the 20-year mark.
Storm Damage Assessment
After a hurricane or major storm, we assess your tile roof for cracked, shifted, or missing tiles, ridge damage, and underlying water intrusion. We provide documentation for your insurance claim including photos, scope of damage, and repair estimates.
What Every Florida Tile Roof Owner Should Know
Don't Walk on Your Tile Roof
Tile is strong under distributed load but brittle under point pressure. Walking on tile — especially barrel tile — cracks it. Every cracked tile is a water entry point. If your HVAC tech, solar installer, or satellite dish guy is walking on your tile roof, they're damaging it. We use foam pads and walk boards to distribute weight when we need to access a tile roof, and we replace any tiles we crack in the process.
20 Years = Inspection Time
If your tile roof is approaching or past 20 years old, the underlayment is nearing the end of its effective life — regardless of how the tiles look from the ground. Schedule an inspection. We can do test lifts to check underlayment condition and tell you how much life is left before a re-tile is needed.
Tile Roofs Don't Shed Water — Underlayment Does
This surprises most people. Tile isn't waterproof — it's water-shedding. Water still gets underneath individual tiles, especially in heavy rain and wind-driven conditions. The underlayment is what actually keeps water out of your home. That's why underlayment condition is more important than tile condition.
Weight Matters If You're Converting
Concrete tile weighs 9–12 lbs per square foot. Architectural shingles weigh 2.5–4 lbs per square foot. If you're converting from shingles to tile, a structural engineer needs to verify your trusses and framing can handle the additional load. Most Florida homes built for tile already have the structure. Homes built for shingles usually don't.
How Tile Compares to Other Roofing Materials
| Feature | Concrete Tile | Clay Tile | Standing Seam Metal | Architectural Shingles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan (Florida) | 40–50+ years | 50–100+ years | 40–60+ years | 25–30 years |
| Wind Rating | Up to 150+ mph | Up to 150+ mph | Up to 160+ mph | Up to 130 mph |
| Weight (per sq ft) | 9–12 lbs | 6–9 lbs | 1–1.5 lbs | 2.5–4 lbs |
| Energy Efficiency | Good (thermal mass) | Good (thermal mass) | Excellent (reflective) | Moderate |
| Maintenance | Underlayment at 20–25 yrs | Underlayment at 20–25 yrs | Minimal | Moderate |
| Approximate Cost | $$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$ |
| Fire Resistance | Class A | Class A | Non-combustible | Varies |
| Look / Style | Mediterranean, Spanish | Mediterranean, Spanish, Historic | Modern, Coastal, Clean | Traditional |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tile Roofing in Florida
Whether It's a New Tile Roof or Time to Replace the Underlayment
Tile roofs are built to last — but only if the system underneath them is maintained. If your tile roof is approaching 20 years, if you're seeing water where you shouldn't, or if you're building new and want a roof that'll outlast the mortgage, give us a call. We've been working on tile roofs across Florida's Gulf Coast for a long time, and we'll give you a straight answer on what your roof needs.