Clay tile is one of the reasons a Florida home looks like a Florida home. If you already have it, you might be dealing with a few cracked barrels on the ridge, a leak nobody can track down, or worry about finding tiles that match. If you’re thinking about adding it, you want to know whether clay tile roofing in Daytona Beach is worth it and what it takes to do it right.
Either way, you’re making a decision about a roof that’s meant to last a very long time, and you don’t want to get it wrong. You deserve a roofer who will explain clay tile in plain language and tell you honestly what your roof needs.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and we repair and install clay tile. Your inspection and estimate are free. Call 386-259-8425 to set one up.
What makes clay tile different
Clay tile is made from natural clay shaped into tiles and fired in a kiln at high heat. That firing is what gives it its strength and its color. Because the color goes all the way through the tile, clay holds its look far longer than painted or surface-colored materials. Florida sun fades plenty of roofing, but clay tile barely notices it.
Clay also handles salt air well. It doesn’t rust or corrode, which matters on a roof a few miles from the ocean.
It does have a weakness: clay is brittle. It can crack under a careless footstep, a falling limb or flying debris in a storm. And like every tile roof, clay depends on the underlayment beneath it to keep water out.
Clay tile or concrete tile?
This is the most common question we hear from homeowners weighing tile.
Clay keeps its color, resists salt and has the traditional look that suits Spanish, Mediterranean and many older Florida homes. It usually costs more than concrete and can be harder to match years later.
Concrete offers a wide range of colors and profiles and generally costs less up front. Its surface color can fade over time, and it tends to pick up algae and mildew in humid weather.
Both are heavy compared with shingles or metal, so switching to either from a lighter roof needs a structural check first. For an overview of both materials and repair options, see our main Daytona Beach tile roofing page.
Barrel, S-tile and flat clay profiles
Barrel tile is the half-round shape most people think of. Tiles are laid in alternating rows, one facing up as a channel and one facing down as a cap. It creates deep shadows and a lot of character.
S-tile combines the pan and cap into one S-shaped piece. It gives a similar look with fewer pieces.
Flat clay tile has a cleaner, more modern look and suits a wider range of architecture.
The profile affects more than looks. Curved tile leaves open ends at the eaves, which need closures so birds and wind-driven rain can’t get in. Water and debris also move differently across curved and flat tile, so valleys and gutters need a little more attention on barrel roofs.
Common problems with clay tile roofing in Daytona Beach
Cracked or slipped tiles. Storms, debris and foot traffic are the usual causes. A single broken tile exposes the underlayment underneath to sun and rain.
Loose hip and ridge tiles. These sit at the most exposed spots on the roof and take the brunt of the wind. Older roofs often have ridge tiles set in mortar that has cracked over time.
Worn underlayment. This is the big one. The clay often outlasts what’s under it, and when the underlayment dries out and cracks, leaks follow, even with every tile in place.
Corroded flashing and fasteners. Salt air works on the metal parts of the roof, even when the clay itself is fine.
Repairing a clay tile roof
Clay tile repairs take care. Tiles around the damaged area are lifted out by hand, the underlayment and flashing beneath are checked and fixed, and the tiles are reset with new pieces where needed.
Matching is the tricky part. Clay tiles from different makers and different years vary in color, size and shape. We’ll look for the closest match available and show you before the work starts. On a roof where the underlayment has worn out across the board, the tiles can often be removed, stacked and reinstalled over new underlayment, which keeps your original clay on the house.
If the roof needs a full replacement or you’re adding clay tile for the first time, our page on tile roof installation in Daytona Beach explains how that job goes.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 386-259-8425 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of the tile, the ridge and the flashing, and hear whether a repair, re-lay or replacement fits your roof.
- Get your roof done and the site cleaned up. Clay tile work takes time to do right, so you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate, and the crew cleans up when the job is done.
If you’d like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance. Our financing page has more on the partners.
A cracked clay tile left alone lets sun and rain reach the underlayment in that spot, and that small opening can turn into a leak and soft decking over a rainy season.
Clay tile questions from Daytona Beach homeowners
Does clay tile hold up in hurricanes?
Clay tile that’s properly fastened or adhered handles high wind well. Individual tiles can still break from flying debris, so a check after a big storm is a good idea.
Can I walk on my clay tile roof?
It’s best not to. Clay cracks easily underfoot. Leave roof access to people who know how to step on tile.
What if my clay tiles aren’t made anymore?
We’ll look for the closest match. Sometimes salvaged tiles from a less visible slope can be moved to the front of the house, with new tiles placed where they’re harder to see.
Is clay tile too heavy for my house?
If your home already has tile, the framing was built for it. If you’re switching from shingles or metal, the structure needs to be checked first.
A clay tile roof that looks good and stays dry
Call 386-259-8425 or start your free estimate online. You’ll keep the look you love, the roof will be sound underneath, and you’ll know exactly what it needs before any work begins. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
