You love the look of your tile roof, or you’re thinking about one for your next roof. Then someone tells you the tiles are fine but the roof underneath is shot, or that tile is too heavy for your house, or that it’ll crack in the next hurricane. Now you’re not sure what to believe about tile roofing in Altamonte Springs.
Tile is a great roof in Central Florida when it’s built right and cared for. It’s also a roof that hides its problems well. You deserve a contractor who’ll explain what’s going on up there in plain terms before you make a big decision.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 407-270-1129 to have a roofer look at your tile roof or talk through a new one.
Why tile roofing in Altamonte Springs makes sense
Tile has been a Florida favorite for a long time, and the climate is a big reason.
It handles the sun. Clay and concrete don’t dry out and curl the way asphalt shingles do under years of UV. Tile also sits up off the roof deck with a small air gap underneath, which slows down the heat moving into your attic on a July afternoon.
It doesn’t rot or burn. Tile is fire-resistant and isn’t bothered by humidity the way wood products are.
It suits the look of many homes around Seminole County, from Spanish-style barrel tile to flat tile on newer builds.
The tradeoffs are real too. Tile costs more up front than shingles, it’s heavy, and it can break if someone walks on it the wrong way.
Clay tile or concrete tile?
Both are tile roofs. They’re made differently and age differently.
Clay tile is fired in a kiln. The color goes all the way through and holds up for a very long time. It’s often lighter than concrete but more brittle, and it usually costs more. Our clay tile roofing page covers it in detail.
Concrete tile is molded from sand, cement and pigment. It’s the more common choice on Central Florida homes, comes in many shapes and colors and costs less than clay. It’s heavier, and surface color can fade over the years. See our concrete tile roofing page for more.
The part of a tile roof you never see
This is the thing most homeowners don’t know. On a tile roof, the tile mostly protects what’s underneath from the sun and sheds most of the water. The underlayment beneath the tile is what actually keeps the house dry.
The tiles can outlast the underlayment by many years. So an older tile roof that leaks often has perfectly good tile sitting on worn-out underlayment. That’s why a good tile inspection checks more than broken tiles. It looks at the underlayment where it can be seen, at the flashing in the valleys and along walls, at the pipe penetrations, and in the attic for stains.
Tile roofs and hurricane wind
Florida’s building code sets strict rules for how roof tiles are attached in high-wind areas. Depending on the system, tiles are set with roof tile adhesive (a foam), screws or nails, following the tile maker’s tested method for the wind zone. Ridge and hip tiles get special attention because wind hits them hardest.
After a hurricane, look for tiles that have slid out of line, broken corners, missing ridge pieces and pieces of tile in the yard or the gutters. Any of those is worth a closer look, even if nothing is leaking yet.
Going from shingles to tile
Tile is much heavier than asphalt shingles. If your home has a shingle roof now, switching to tile may require an engineer to confirm that the roof framing can carry the load. It’s an important question to settle before you fall in love with a tile style, and we’ll raise it at the start.
Repair or replace a tile roof?
Broken or slipped tiles can usually be replaced one by one, as long as matching tiles can be found. When the underlayment has worn out across the roof, the fix is bigger, and that’s when the conversation turns to replacement. Our tile roof repair in Altamonte Springs page walks through the repair side.
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. You’ll see photos of the tile, flashing and attic, hear whether the roof needs a repair or a replacement and get a written estimate. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. You’ll get a realistic timeline up front, since tile work takes longer than shingles.
A small tile roof leak can go on a long time without a ceiling stain, because the water travels along the underlayment and deck first. Catching it early often keeps it a repair.
Tile roofing questions from Altamonte Springs homeowners
Can I walk on my tile roof?
It’s best not to. Tile breaks easily under a misplaced step. Roofers know where to step and how to spread their weight.
My tiles look fine, so why is my roof leaking?
The underlayment under the tile is usually the cause. It wears out before the tile does.
How do I find a good tile roofing contractor in Altamonte Springs?
Ask for a Florida roofing license number, proof of insurance, photos of the problem on your roof and a written estimate. A good tile roofer explains the underlayment and attachment, not just the tile.
Is tile a good choice for a new roof here?
For many homes, yes, especially if you plan to stay. Confirm the framing can carry the weight and pick a style that fits the house.
Talk to a tile roofing contractor in Altamonte Springs
Call 407-270-1129 or start your estimate online. For everything else we do in town, visit our Altamonte Springs roofing page.
Picture a tile roof that looks as good as the day it went on, a dry attic and a decision you feel sure about. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
