A clay tile roof turns heads. It also costs more than most roofs, weighs a lot and has to make it through Missouri winters, so you want to be sure before you commit. If you already own a house with clay tile, you may be wondering how to keep it in shape and who in the Kansas City area can match a broken piece. Clay tile roofing in Blue Springs is a smart choice on the right house when it’s made and installed for this climate.
The hard part is that most clay tile advice is written for hot, dry climates, not for a place with ice storms and hail. You need guidance that fits where you actually live.
APC Roofing installs and repairs clay tile roofs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to set up a visit.
What makes clay tile different
Clay tile is natural clay shaped and fired in a kiln at high heat. Because the color is in the clay itself, not painted on, a clay roof keeps its color for a very long time. Glazed clay tile adds a glossy, sealed finish. Unglazed tile weathers slowly and picks up character with age.
Clay tile comes in a few main shapes:
- Barrel, or Spanish, tile. The rounded, half-pipe look most people picture.
- S-tile. A single piece shaped like a wave, which gives a similar look with fewer pieces.
- Flat and interlocking tile. A cleaner, lower-profile look that suits many traditional and modern homes.
Each shape sheds water differently and sits on the roof differently, which affects how the valleys, ridges and wall junctions are built.
Clay tile and Missouri winters
This is the most important part of choosing clay tile here. Clay that soaks up water can crack or flake when that water freezes. Over many winters, freeze-thaw damage can ruin tile that would last a lifetime in a dry climate.
The answer is to use clay tile rated for severe weather. Manufacturers grade their tile by how well it resists freezing, and the denser, lower-absorption grades are the ones that belong on a roof in eastern Jackson County. Ask for that rating in writing before you choose a product.
Good drainage helps too. Tile that stays wet longer is more likely to have freeze-thaw trouble, so clean valleys and gutters matter on a clay roof.
Weight, framing and what’s underneath
Clay tile is heavy. On a house built for asphalt shingles, the framing has to be checked before clay goes up, and sometimes that means an engineer’s review or added support. On a house that was designed for tile, this is usually already handled.
Under the clay, the underlayment is what keeps water out. It wears out long before good clay tile does. In this climate, an ice barrier along the eaves and in the valleys helps stop ice dams from pushing water under the tile. When an older clay roof leaks, the fix is often to lift the tile, replace the underlayment and lay the same tile back down.
Caring for a clay tile roof
Clay tile needs little upkeep, but a few habits help it last:
- Keep valleys, gutters and the low edges free of leaves and debris so water drains.
- Don’t walk on it. Clay is brittle, especially when it’s cold.
- Skip the pressure washer, which can erode the surface and force water under the tile.
- Have it looked at after a big hailstorm, since cracked pieces aren’t always visible from the ground.
Matching clay tile on an older home
If your clay roof has been up for a long time, finding an exact match for a broken piece can be tricky. The style may be discontinued, and older tile has weathered to a different shade. Options include matching with a current product, using salvaged tile, or moving original tile from a less visible slope to the front and putting the new tile out back. You’ll see the choices before anything is replaced. For cracked or slipped pieces, see our page on tile roof repair in Blue Springs.
Clay or concrete?
Clay usually costs more and holds its color longer. Concrete costs less and offers more shapes and textures, but on many products the color is a surface coat that can fade, and it tends to absorb more water. If you’re weighing the two, our concrete tile roofing in Blue Springs page covers the other side, and our Blue Springs tile roofing page compares them.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll hear whether clay tile is a good fit for your house, which grade belongs on it, and what the work involves. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Clay tile takes longer to install than shingles, and you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
A clay roof that’s leaking or missing pieces is worth looking at sooner rather than later. One winter of ice and meltwater under a broken tile can damage the deck beneath it.
Clay tile questions from Blue Springs homeowners
Does clay tile hold up to Missouri winters?
It can, when it’s a grade made for freeze-thaw climates and installed over good underlayment with an ice barrier. Lower-grade clay tile meant for warm climates is the wrong choice here.
Does clay tile fade?
Very little. The color is fired into the clay, so it doesn’t wear off the way a surface coating can. Unglazed tile may develop a slight patina over time.
Can broken clay tiles be replaced one at a time?
Usually, yes. A roofer lifts the surrounding tiles, removes the broken one and slides a new piece in. Matching the color is the main challenge on older roofs.
Is a clay roof worth the extra cost?
For many homeowners who plan to stay put and love the look, yes. Because it costs more up front, it’s worth comparing with concrete tile and other roof types at your inspection.
Book an inspection for clay tile roofing in Blue Springs
Call 913-398-5020 or start your estimate online.
The goal is a clay roof that looks right on your house, comes through every Missouri winter dry, and gives you no reason to second-guess the choice.
