Tile Roofing in Central Florida

The tile is not what keeps the water out

This surprises a lot of homeowners. Roof tile sheds most of the rain, but water still gets between and under tiles in wind-driven storms. The waterproofing is the underlayment beneath them.

Tile itself can last for decades. The underlayment usually does not last as long. So a tile roof can look perfect from the street while the layer underneath has dried out, cracked and started to leak. When that happens, the answer is often a re-lay rather than all-new tile.

Re-laying a tile roof

In a re-lay, we lift the tile, stack it on the roof, replace the underlayment and flashing, and set the tile back. Tile that is cracked or no longer made gets replaced. Sound tile goes back on.

Whether a re-lay makes sense depends on the tile. Older concrete tile can become brittle and break when lifted, and some profiles are hard to match. We check a sample before recommending it.

Concrete or clay

Concrete tile is what you see on most tile-roofed homes in Central Florida. It comes in flat, low-profile and barrel shapes and a wide range of colors.

Clay tile keeps its color longer than concrete and costs more. It suits Spanish and Mediterranean-style homes where the design calls for it.

Both are heavy compared with shingle. A house designed for shingle may need its framing checked before tile goes on.

Setting tile for wind

In Florida, tiles are either fastened mechanically or bonded to the underlayment with foam adhesive. Both methods are approved when installed to the manufacturer’s tested pattern. Ridge and hip tiles and the edges of the roof take the most wind load and get the most attention.

Keeping people off your tile

Tile breaks under a careless step. Satellite installers, pest control crews and AC technicians walking a tile roof are a common cause of cracked tile and slow leaks. If someone needs to go up, it helps to ask how they plan to walk it.

Common questions