Maybe you love the look of a tile roof and want to know if concrete tile makes sense for your house. Or you already have one, it’s getting older, and you’re seeing chipped edges, faded slopes or a few broken pieces after a hailstorm. Either way, concrete tile roofing in Denver comes with a few questions most roofers don’t take the time to answer.
You should know what you’re getting into before you sign anything, whether that’s a new roof or a repair.
APC Roofing installs, replaces and repairs concrete tile roofs on Denver homes. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and our inspections and estimates are free. Call 720-902-6940 and you’ll get a plain account of what your roof needs.
What concrete tile is, and how it compares to clay
Concrete tile is made from sand, cement and water, pressed into shape and cured. Clay tile is fired in a kiln. From the curb they can look a lot alike, but they age differently.
On many concrete tile brands, the color sits on the surface. Over the years, sun-facing slopes fade, and a chipped edge shows gray underneath. A brand-new replacement tile will look brighter than its neighbors for a while. Clay tile holds its color all the way through.
Concrete tile also soaks up more water than well-fired clay. That matters a lot in Colorado, and it’s covered below.
People still choose concrete tile for good reasons. It’s tough, it doesn’t burn, it handles wind well when it’s properly fastened, and it gives a house the look of tile at a lower cost than most clay. It comes in barrel, S-shaped and flat profiles, including flat styles that look like slate or wood shake.
Concrete tile in Colorado’s climate
Freeze and thaw
Because concrete tile absorbs some water, the freeze-thaw cycles of a Denver winter can slowly wear the surface. Water soaks in, freezes overnight, expands and flakes the face a little at a time. Tile made for cold climates is tested and rated for this. If you’re putting on a new concrete tile roof here, the product should carry that rating. Moss and lichen make it worse by keeping the tile damp, so they’re worth keeping in check.
Hail
The Front Range sees hail most springs and summers. Concrete tile shrugs off small hail. Large stones can crack or break pieces, and the cracks are often on the underside where you can’t see them from the ground. After a big storm, have the roof checked before broken tiles let sun and water at the underlayment.
Sun at altitude
Strong sun fades surface color over time. It also breaks down the underlayment quickly anywhere a tile is missing, which is why a broken tile shouldn’t wait.
Snow at the eaves
Snow that melts and refreezes at the bottom edge can back water up under the lowest course. Clean gutters and a properly built eave help keep that water moving.
Weight: the question to ask before switching to tile
Standard concrete tile weighs several times more per square foot than asphalt shingles. A house that was built for tile has framing to carry it. A house built for shingles may not.
If you’re switching from shingles to concrete tile, the roof framing needs a structural review first, and sometimes extra bracing. Lightweight concrete tile is another option if your framing can’t carry full-weight tile. Skipping this step can lead to sagging over the years, so we’ll bring it up early.
What really keeps the water out
The tile sheds most of the rain, but the underlayment beneath it does the waterproofing. That underlayment usually wears out long before good concrete tile does.
So many older concrete tile roofs don’t need new tile at all. They need a relay: the crew lifts the tile, stacks it, replaces any soft decking, installs new underlayment and resets the tile. The house looks the same from the street, and the waterproofing starts fresh. Some tile breaks during removal, so expect a few replacement pieces, matched as closely as the product line allows.
Install, replace or repair?
The three options usually break down like this:
- Repair fits a few cracked or slipped tiles, loose ridge caps or a leak at a wall or chimney. Our tile roof repair in Denver page covers those jobs.
- Relay fits sound tile over worn-out underlayment.
- New installation or replacement fits a switch to tile, or tile that’s badly damaged or failing from freeze-thaw. See our tile roof installation page.
You’ll get photos and a written recommendation so you can see why we’re suggesting one over another. You choose.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of your tile, flashing and underlayment and get a written estimate with the reason for each step.
- Get your roof done and the site cleaned up. The crew protects your landscaping, finishes the work and hauls away broken tile and debris.
If you’d like to spread out the cost of a bigger job, we work with financing partners including Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Questions about concrete tile roofing in Denver
Is concrete tile a good choice for Denver?
It can be, as long as the tile is rated for freeze-thaw and your roof framing can carry the weight. It’s durable, fire resistant and handles small hail well.
Can a cement tile roof be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Most problems can be repaired. Broken tiles get swapped out and loose caps reset. If the underlayment is worn out, a relay with new underlayment usually saves the tile.
Will hail damage a concrete tile roof?
Small hail rarely does. Large hail can crack tiles, often on the underside, so it’s worth an inspection after a big storm. If you file a claim, we’ll document the damage and work with your adjuster. You file the claim and pay your own deductible.
Can I switch from shingles to concrete tile?
Often, yes, but the framing needs a structural check first. Lightweight concrete tile is an option when full-weight tile is too heavy.
A tile roof that just keeps working
A cracked tile or a worn underlayment rarely stays small. Sun and snowmelt find the opening, and a quick fix turns into soaked decking and a stained ceiling. You don’t have to do everything at once. It helps to know where you stand.
The snow melts, the summer storms pass, and your tile roof stays as solid as it looks. That’s a dry house, no surprise bill and the confidence you made the right call. For more on tile options, see our tile roofing in Denver page, or call 720-902-6940 to book your free inspection.
