Your concrete tile roof has looked the same for years, and then one spring you notice faded patches, a few cracked tiles near the gutter, or a ceiling stain that doesn’t make sense on a roof that looks this solid. Or you’re pricing a new roof and wondering whether concrete tile roofing in Republic, MO is worth it compared to shingles or clay.
Concrete tile is tough, but it isn’t maintenance-free, and the things that wear it down here are different from what you’ll read about on sites written for Arizona or Florida. You deserve answers that fit a southwest Missouri house.
APC Roofing works on concrete and clay tile and is GAF Certified, licensed and insured. We serve Republic from our Springfield office, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to have someone check your roof.
What concrete roof tiles are
Concrete tiles are made from sand, cement and water, pressed into molds and cured. Color comes either from pigment mixed all the way through or from a colored surface layer on top. That difference matters later: through-colored tile fades gracefully, while a surface coat can wear thin and leave the gray concrete showing.
Concrete tile comes in flat, low-profile and high-profile shapes, including styles that imitate clay barrel tile, slate or wood shake. It’s sturdy, it doesn’t burn, and it handles summer heat well.
Concrete vs. clay tile
From the curb, they can look alike. Up close, a few differences stand out:
- Concrete is usually heavier than clay for a similar profile, though lightweight concrete products exist.
- Concrete absorbs more water than well-fired clay.
- Concrete surface color can fade or wear; clay color is fired in.
- Concrete is generally the more budget-friendly of the two.
If you’re torn between them, our clay tile roofing in Republic page covers the other side.
Freeze-thaw and concrete tile
Because concrete absorbs some water, Missouri winters test it. Water that soaks into the surface and freezes can slowly flake or roughen the face of the tile over many winters. Tiles on shaded slopes, where moss and lichen hold moisture against the surface, tend to show it first.
A little surface wear is normal and often cosmetic. Cracks that go through the tile, or edges that crumble, are a different matter and let water and sunlight reach the underlayment. Those tiles should be replaced.
Hail, foot traffic and cracked tiles
Concrete tile stands up to hail better than many people expect, but large hailstones can still crack it, especially on older tiles that have already weathered. More cracked tiles come from people than from storms, though. Someone stepping in the middle of a tile while hanging lights, cleaning gutters or mounting a satellite dish can snap it. If anyone needs to get on your roof, ask them to talk with you first.
After a hailstorm, look for tile fragments around the house. If the storm did damage, our hail damage roof repair in Republic page explains the inspection and claim process.
The white haze and the green growth
Many concrete tile roofs develop a chalky white film called efflorescence. It’s salt from the concrete working its way to the surface, and it usually fades with rain. It doesn’t harm the tile.
Moss and lichen are more of a concern. They hold moisture in the tile and in the joints between tiles, which speeds up freeze damage and can slow drainage. Resist the urge to pressure-wash. High pressure can strip the surface color and drive water up under the tile laps. A gentler cleaning, or trimming back trees that shade the roof, is usually the better route.
Weight and the house underneath
Concrete tile is several times heavier than asphalt shingles. If your house was built with tile, it was framed for that load. If you’re switching from shingles, the roof structure needs to be checked first, and some houses need reinforcement. Lightweight concrete tiles reduce the load and are worth asking about if your house is borderline.
Repairing a concrete tile roof
Small problems, like a handful of cracked tiles, a loose ridge piece or a leaking flashing at a wall, can usually be repaired without disturbing the rest of the roof. Matching can take some searching, since profiles and colors get discontinued.
When the tiles are sound but the underlayment beneath them has dried out and cracked, the roof can often be relaid: tiles come off and are stacked, damaged decking is replaced, new underlayment goes down and the tiles go back on. Our tile roof repair in Republic page covers repairs in more detail, and the tile roofing in Republic page compares all your options.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of the tile surface, any cracks and the flashing, with a straight recommendation on repair, relay or new tile.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Tile work is scheduled around the weather, and the crew leaves your yard clean.
Concrete tile questions from Republic homeowners
Is concrete tile a good roof for southwest Missouri?
It can be. It handles heat and wind well and holds up to moderate hail. Freeze-thaw wear and moss are the main things to watch, especially on shaded slopes.
Can faded concrete tiles be restored?
Fading is usually cosmetic and doesn’t mean the tile is failing. Where the surface layer has worn through, an inspection will show whether those tiles are still shedding water or need replacing.
Should I replace cracked concrete tiles right away?
Yes, as soon as you reasonably can. A cracked tile leaves the underlayment open to sun and water.
A tile roof that stays sound
Concrete tile rewards a little attention. A few cracked tiles replaced this year keeps water away from the underlayment, and the roof keeps doing its job for a long time.
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online. You’ll know what condition your concrete tile roof is in and what, if anything, it needs, and you’ll have a dry house and a roof you don’t have to wonder about.
