You’ve decided you want a tile roof, or you’re close to it. Maybe you’re replacing an old tile roof that’s finally worn out, or you’ve wanted the look of clay or concrete tile for years. Now comes the hard part: finding someone who handles tile roof installation in Kansas City and actually knows how tile behaves in a place with real winters.
That worry is fair. A tile roof is a big decision and a big investment, and it has to be installed right the first time.
APC Roofing installs clay and concrete tile roofs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, and your inspection and estimate are free.
What makes tile roof installation in Kansas City different
Most of the country’s tile roofs are in warm places like Florida and the Southwest. In Kansas City the same roof has to handle hail, hard freezes, ice at the eaves and summer heat. A good install here plans for all of it.
That shows up in a few choices: tile that’s made to resist freeze-thaw damage, an underlayment that can do its job for the long haul, ice protection along the eaves and valleys, and fastening that keeps tiles in place in spring storm winds. Here’s how the process goes.
Step 1: Check the structure
Tile is heavy, much heavier than asphalt shingles. If you’re switching from shingles to tile, the roof framing has to be able to carry the extra weight. We check the rafters or trusses and the decking, and if the structure needs reinforcing, you’ll know before any tile is ordered. If you already have a tile roof, we check the decking for rot or soft spots while the old roof is off.
Step 2: Choose the tile
Clay tile is kiln-fired and keeps its color for a very long time. Concrete tile comes in more profiles and colors and is usually the lower-cost tile option. For Kansas City, the most important detail isn’t color or shape. It’s whether the tile is rated for severe freeze-thaw weather. Tile that absorbs less water holds up better through winter.
We’ll go over samples with you and explain which clay tile and concrete tile products suit your home and budget.
Step 3: Put down the underlayment and ice barrier
Most homeowners assume the tile keeps the water out. It sheds most of it, but the underlayment beneath the tile is the real waterproof layer. Water and wind-driven snow can get past tile, so that layer has to be good.
Along the eaves, where ice dams form in winter, a self-adhering ice barrier goes down first. Valleys and the areas around chimneys and walls get the same extra protection. Then the main underlayment covers the rest of the deck.
Step 4: Install battens, flashing and tile
Depending on the tile and the roof, tile hangs on wooden battens or fastens straight to the deck. Each tile is fastened according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local code, with extra attention at the edges and ridges where wind pulls hardest.
Flashing is where tile roofs most often leak, so we take our time at walls, chimneys and vent pipes. Valleys are kept open enough to carry heavy spring rain and leaves without backing up. The ridge and hip caps are set and sealed so wind can’t lift them.
Step 5: Walk-through and cleanup
When the roof is finished, we walk the job with you, show you photos of the work and clean up the site. If you’re still deciding whether tile is right for you, our Kansas City tile roofing page compares the options. A tile install takes longer than a shingle roof, and we’ll give you a realistic timeline with your estimate rather than a promise we can’t keep.
Costs and financing
We can’t give a price without seeing your roof, because tile type, roof size and any structural work all change the number. Your estimate will spell it out. If you’d like to spread the cost out, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance. See our roof financing in Kansas City page.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We check the structure, talk through tile options and give you a written estimate.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew protects your yard during the work and leaves it clean.
A tile roof done wrong is expensive to fix later, because every repair means lifting tile. Getting the underlayment and flashing right on day one saves you that trouble down the road.
Tile roof installation questions
How long does a tile roof installation take?
Longer than a shingle roof. The size of the house, the tile chosen and any structural work all affect the schedule, and your estimate will include a realistic timeline.
Do I need to reinforce my roof for tile?
Not always. If your home was built for shingles, we check the framing before anything else and tell you if reinforcement is needed.
Is tile a good choice for Kansas City?
It can be, with freeze-rated tile, solid underlayment and ice protection at the eaves. If tile isn’t a good fit for your house, we’ll tell you.
Can you install tile on a new addition to match my existing roof?
Often, if the tile is still available or a close match exists. We’ll check during your inspection.
Your new tile roof, done right
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online. Picture pulling into the driveway and seeing a tile roof that looks the way you imagined, built to stand up to a Kansas City winter, with no surprises on the bill.
