You’ve always liked the look of a clay tile roof, the warm color and the old Spanish curve. Or you already have one, and a few cracked pieces or a ceiling stain have you wondering what it’ll take to keep it sound. Clay tile roofing in Orlando can last a very long time, but only if the parts under the tile are done right, and that’s hard to judge from the ground.
You shouldn’t need a roofing degree to make a good decision here. You need someone who’ll walk the roof, show you what they find and explain your options plainly.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured. We install, repair and re-lay clay tile roofs across the Orlando area, and the inspection and estimate are free. Call 407-270-1129 to set up a visit.
What makes clay tile different
Clay tile starts as natural clay, pressed into shape and fired in a kiln. Firing does two things that matter in Central Florida. The color runs all the way through the tile, so years of strong sun leave it looking much as it did on day one. And a well-made clay tile soaks up very little water.
That’s the main difference from concrete tile, which is cured instead of fired and often has its color as a surface coat. Concrete fades slowly on the sunny slopes and shows gray where it chips. If you’re weighing the two, our concrete tile roofing page covers the other side. Clay usually costs more up front, and many homeowners choose it for the color and for how long the tile itself lasts.
Clay tile profiles
Barrel, or mission, tile is the classic look: separate rounded pans and caps laid in alternating rows. S-tile combines the pan and cap into one piece and is common on newer homes. Flat clay tile sits low and looks more like slate. Rounded profiles leave more air space under the tile, which helps carry heat away before it reaches the attic on a long Orlando summer.
Clay tile and Orlando weather
Clay handles heat and sun about as well as any roofing material. What tests a clay roof here is wind and water.
During hurricane season, wind pulls hardest at the eaves, rakes, hips and ridges. The Florida Building Code and the tile maker’s instructions set how each tile is held down, whether with foam adhesive, screws, clips or a mix, and the edges get extra hold. Summer afternoon storms push rain sideways between the tiles. That water lands on the underlayment, the waterproof layer under the tile, and that layer is what keeps your house dry.
Clay tile can outlast its underlayment by a long way. So when a clay roof leaks, the tile is often fine and the layer beneath has worn out.
Before you switch to clay tile
Clay tile is heavy. If your house was built for shingles, a structural engineer should check the rafters and spans before anyone orders tile. Sometimes the framing needs reinforcement, and sometimes a different material is the better answer. If you have an HOA, check its rules on roof material and color early.
For a new installation, your written estimate should name the tile and profile, the underlayment, the fastening method and how valleys, walls and pipes will be flashed. Our tile roof installation page walks through the process step by step.
Repairing and re-laying a clay tile roof
Single broken tiles can usually be swapped out. The harder part is matching. Clay tile is made in many profiles and colors, some no longer produced, and older tile can break more easily when it’s handled. Reclaimed tile or a close match is sometimes the answer, and new pieces may look a little brighter at first.
When the underlayment is worn out across a slope, the clay tiles come off and get stacked, damaged decking is replaced, new underlayment goes down and the good tiles go back on. From the street your roof looks the same afterward, but the part that keeps the water out is new. For leaks and cracked pieces, see tile roof repair.
Caring for clay tile
- Keep valleys and gutters clear so water drains freely.
- Stay off the roof. Clay cracks under a foot in the wrong spot, and the break often can’t be seen from below.
- Ask satellite and solar installers to coordinate with a roofer so tiles under each mount are lifted and reset, not drilled.
- Skip the pressure washer. A cleaner made for roofs, rinsed gently, handles moss and algae more safely.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We walk every slope, lift tiles where the underlayment needs checking and look in the attic. You get photos and a plain verdict for each problem.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew protects your landscaping and clears the debris before leaving.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Clay tile roofing in Orlando: common questions
How long does a clay tile roof last?
Good clay tile can last for generations. The underlayment beneath it wears out much sooner, so plan on that layer, not the tile, setting the timeline for major work.
Is clay or concrete tile better for Orlando?
Both work well here. Clay keeps its color longer and absorbs less water. Concrete costs less and comes in more profiles.
Can you match my old clay tiles?
Often, if the profile is still made. When it isn’t, reclaimed tile or a close match is the usual answer, and we’ll show you samples first.
Do you install new clay tile roofs?
Yes, along with repairs and re-lays, across the Orlando area.
A clay tile roof you can be proud of
A cracked tile left alone lets the sun reach the underlayment, and once that layer fails, water soaks into the decking long before a stain shows inside.
Fix it right, and the roof keeps its color, the house stays dry and you know exactly what’s protecting it. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection, or start with our free online estimate.
