Which Is the Best Roofing Tile: Slate, Clay, or Concrete

The roof tiles you choose will affect the overall look of your home. Your choice can either decrease or increase its value.

Your home's architectural design is not the only factor you have to consider in choosing roofing tiles. Make sure to choose roofing materials that work best for what you need. Your roofing choice should be able to handle your local weather, the pitch of your roof, the framing structure, and, of course, your budget.

Here are the pros and cons of clay, slate, and concrete to help you figure out which is the best roofing tile to choose.

What is the most expensive roof tile?

Slate tiles are usually the priciest choice, recognized for their long-lasting quality and timeless look. Clay tiles provide a classic appearance and are durable, falling somewhere in the average price range. Concrete tiles are the most affordable choice among the three, offering a flexible and long-lasting solution.

However, the size of your house isn't the only thing that affects the price.

Many factors play a role in determining the final price:

• Roof squares (1 square = 100 square feet of roof)
• Roof pitch and complexity
• Waste factor
• Single vs. two-story home
• Tear-off details and disposal costs
• Landscaping and property protection

Clay Roofing

Many homeowners like clay roofing tiles because they look unique and can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. These tiles are available in different colors, and terracotta is the most popular one. Clay tiles are tougher against fading, peeling, and damage than regular shingles.

What are the disadvantages of clay roofing?

Clay roofs are heavy

Clay tiles can be pretty heavy, weighing between 788 and 1780 pounds for a square (that’s 100 square feet). If you used to have asphalt shingles and are thinking about switching to clay tiles. you'll need to get your roof checked out and maybe reinforced to handle the extra weight.

Clay roof tiles are fragile

In colder regions, clay tiles might get brittle. If you find yourself needing to walk on a clay tile roof, it's important to know the right spots to step to prevent breaking or cracking any tiles.

Clay roofing is tricky to install

Clay tiles are different from simpler roofing materials because they need to be arranged in a specific pattern and shape to fit the roof properly. This usually means cutting tiles to fit specific angles and shapes, making sure they fit perfectly and keep everything waterproof.

Clay roof installation can be more expensive

Roofing contractors need to carefully measure each tile to make sure they fit correctly and place them in an exact pattern. The amount of detail and skill needed adds to the total cost of the roofing project.

What are the benefits of a clay roof?

Clay roof tiles are very durable

Even though clay tiles cost more than asphalt roofing, they do last a lot longer, which helps make up for the installation costs. Clay tiles are resistant to severe weather. They can handle strong winds, torrential rain, and even hail.

Clay roof tiles are resistant to fire, rot, and bugs

Clay roof tiles have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest fire rating. Clay tiles can be fragile, but they won't rot and will keep your roof decking safe from insects.

Clay roofs can maintain their aesthetics for years

Because of how they resist rot and insect damage, they stay attractive for decades to come. They also come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and styles, so homeowners can choose a design that matches the style of their homes.

Clay roofs are energy-efficient

Clay tiles have a significant amount of thermal mass. Their layering helps with airflow and keeps the air moving continuously. This sets up a barrier for heat transfer, which helps cut down on the energy needed for both cooling and heating your home.

Things to Consider When Choosing Clay Roofing Tiles

• Choose tiles that are easy to maintain and repair. 
• Do not install clay tiles on roofs that have a pitch lower than 4/12. 
• You'll need full waterproofing for shallow pitches.
• Use Type II No. 30 or No. 43 felt as your minimum underlayment. Make sure the underlayment overlaps and extends properly.
• Use stainless steel screws, especially if you’re in coastal areas.
• For steep or vertical applications, use wind clips and sealant.

Slate Roofing

Slate is almost forever. If you take good care of a slate roof, it can actually last for a hundred years or even longer! Slate is a natural stone that makes it resistant to fire, and you can find it in an array of different colors. 

What are the disadvantages of slate roofs?

Slate roofing is very expensive

Slate roofing tends to be on the pricier side compared to other roofing materials. The main reason a slate roof costs so much is all the time, effort, and expertise that goes into the installation. The fact that there are only a few slate roofing installation pros drives the price even higher.

Slate roofing is heavy

Slate roof tiles add a lot of weight, so your house needs to be built or framed in a way that can handle it. Otherwise, you risk the walls or roof caving in.

Slate roof tiles are brittle

They can break easily. Just like clay roof tiles, you can walk on them, but you have to know where to step to avoid breaking them.

What are the benefits of slate roofing?

Slate roof tiles are incredibly durable

Slate roof tiles, sourced from hard, metamorphic rock, have natural durability against intense storms. The heavy tiles hold down the roof from heavy winds, and the slate is strong enough to resist most hail damage.

Slate roofing adds instant curb appeal

Slate roofing adds a touch of class, making homes more appealing to buyers who value quality roofing materials. 

What's more appealing to home buyers is the lifespan of slate roofing. Slate roofing tiles can last a century with very little maintenance. This translates to not replacing their roof in their lifetime.

Slate roofing is naturally fire-resistant

The same with clay, slate roof tiles also have a Class A fire rating. Slate also naturally resists water damage, which is the main reason behind rot and insect infestations.

Things to Consider When Choosing Slate Roofing Tiles

• If you're worried about how fragile natural slate roofing tiles can be, you might want to consider using composite slate roofing tiles instead. Composite slate roofing won’t crack or break, plus it costs less than natural slate.
  Just make sure you use stainless steel screws when fastening composite slate roof tiles for that added weather protection.
• You might also want to consider upgrading the framing to safely support the heavy weight of the slate tiles.
• It's important to choose a roofing team that knows how to work with slate roofing materials to make sure the roof is installed properly.

Concrete Roofing

On average, concrete roof tiles can last 35 to 50 years. Concrete tiles are made by mixing sand, cement, and water, then molding and heating them together. They can handle all kinds of weather, such as heavy rain, wind, and hail.

What are the disadvantages of concrete roof tiles?

Concrete tiles’ color fades

Concrete roof tiles, just like other parts of your home, can lose their color over time because of constant exposure to UV rays and the elements. You can keep your concrete tile roof’s color by repainting it every now and then.

If you’d rather skip the whole repainting thing, you might want to consider going with terracotta or clay tiles instead. Terracotta tiles' color is mixed right into the material during production.

Concrete tiles are also fragile

Although concrete roofing tiles have amazing durability, they are still made of a composite material. Just like the clay and slate, if you don't know how to walk on concrete roofing tiles, the tiles can crack.

Concrete absorbs water

Concrete is porous. It absorbs water fast. This water absorption can cause problems like mold and mildew, which can damage the structural integrity and the appearance of your roof. Make sure to buy cement roof tiles that are treated and weatherproofed properly. 

What are the advantages of concrete roof tiles?

Concrete roof tiles are resistant to fire

Just like the roofing tile options above, cement tiles are also Class A fire-rated. Cement tiles can also handle strong winds and hail.

Cement roofing tiles are super versatile

Concrete tiles stand out as the most versatile roofing tile alternative to slate and clay roofing tiles. These tiles can be created and layered in a way that they look like slate and clay roofing.

Things to Consider When Choosing Concrete Roofing Tiles

• Use the right moisture-resistant methods. Use underlayment and flashing to stop water from getting in and to keep the roof system durable.
• Concrete roofing needs extra support for the roof framing. It's important to consider this, especially if you're living in areas that get a lot of heavy snow.
• Even though the choice between screws and nails relies on your roofing contractor and the wind exposure, screws offer a stronger hold. Screws don’t loosen easily and can self-seal as they are driven down the underlayment and decking.
• Using stainless steel screws should be considered, especially if you live near the coast.

Add More Confidence to Your Roof, Use Stainless Steel Screws

Clay, slate, and concrete roof tiles have one thing in common: they are all extremely durable. All these roofing tile options can handle the most severe weather. They can keep your home safe from falling ash and embers to help stop it from catching fire. 

If your house is surrounded by trees, you may want to consider cutting down any branches that hang over your roof before installing the tiles. This can help prevent cracked tiles when a big storm hits. 

If you want to let the next generation handle the roof replacement, use stainless steel screws. Stainless steel screws improve the weather-resistant properties of these roofing tiles and can prepare your roof for strong winds.