Your clay tile roof is a big part of why you love the house. But the last hailstorm cracked a few tiles, there’s a stain on the ceiling under one of the valleys, and the roofers who’ve looked at it so far either wanted to replace everything or didn’t seem comfortable on tile at all. Clay tile roofing in Denver takes someone who knows how to walk on it, how to fix it and when it’s worth saving.
It’s a fair worry. Tile is expensive to replace, older clay tiles can be hard to match, and one careless crew can break more tiles than the storm did. You deserve a straight answer about what your roof actually needs.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We repair and install clay and concrete tile roofs across the Denver metro, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 720-902-6940 to have your tile roof looked at.
Clay tile roofing in Denver’s climate
Clay tile is fired earth, and the sun doesn’t break it down the way it does asphalt. Strong UV at altitude, which ages shingles quickly, is not much of a problem for the tile itself.
Cold is the bigger concern here. Clay is somewhat porous, and tile that soaks up water and then freezes overnight can flake or crack over time. Denver goes through that freeze-and-thaw cycle again and again each winter, so clay tile on a Colorado roof should be rated for severe weathering. If you’re replacing or adding tile, that rating is the first thing to check.
Hail is the other one. A big enough hailstone can crack or chip clay tile, and a cracked tile lets more water reach the layer underneath. Heavy, wet spring snow adds weight, and snow sliding off a tile roof can take tiles and gutters with it.
Looking for stone roof tiles?
A lot of homeowners search for “stone roof tiles” when they want a roof with a heavy, natural look. Clay tile is one answer. Concrete tile is another, made from cement and sand in shapes much like clay. Stone-coated steel is a third: steel panels covered in stone granules and shaped like tile, which is much lighter and handles hail well. You’ll find it on our Denver metro metal roofing page. Each has trade-offs in weight, look and how it holds up to hail and freezing, and we’ll walk you through them for your house.
The layer that keeps the water out
On a tile roof, the tiles shed most of the water, but the underlayment beneath them is what makes the roof waterproof. The clay itself is very durable. The underlayment usually wears out first.
When a tile roof leaks, the cause is often aged underlayment, a failed valley or worn flashing at a wall or chimney, not the tile itself. On Denver roofs, an ice-and-water barrier at the eaves and in the valleys matters too, because snowmelt that refreezes at the roof edge can push water up under the tile.
Clay tile repairs
Many tile problems can be fixed without replacing the roof.
Cracked or broken tiles. Individual tiles can be removed and replaced. Getting to a broken tile without breaking the ones around it takes care and the right footing.
Slipped tiles. Tiles that have shifted out of line can be reset and refastened.
Ridges and hips. The caps along the peaks and hips take wind from both sides. Loose caps get reset and secured.
Flashing and valleys. Leaks at walls, chimneys and valleys usually mean the metal flashing or the valley lining needs work, which may mean lifting the tiles around it.
Matching old clay tile is one of the trickiest parts. Some colors and profiles aren’t made anymore. Options include tiles from a salvage source, the closest current match, or moving original tiles from a less visible part of the roof to where they’ll be seen.
Lift and relay
If the tiles are in good shape but the underlayment underneath has failed, the roof may not need new tile at all. In a lift and relay, the tiles are carefully removed and stacked, new underlayment and flashing go down, and the same tiles go back on, with replacements for any broken ones. You keep the look of your roof and get a new waterproofing layer.
New clay tile roofs
Clay tile comes in barrel (also called mission or Spanish), S-shaped and flat profiles, in a range of colors. It’s heavy, so if your home has shingles now, the roof framing needs to be checked to make sure it can carry tile before you commit. Tile also needs to be fastened for wind, especially at the edges and ridges where gusts off the mountains hit hardest. Our tile roof installation page covers the install in more detail.
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 what we found, hear whether it’s a repair, a lift and relay or a new roof, and get a written estimate.
- The work gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew finishes the job and cleans up before leaving.
If hail damaged your tile and you choose to file an insurance claim, you file it yourself and pay your own deductible. APC Roofing documents the damage, provides a written estimate and works with your adjuster. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Clay tile roofing questions from Denver homeowners
Can broken clay tiles be replaced one at a time?
Yes. Individual cracked or broken tiles can usually be swapped out without disturbing the rest of the roof.
Can you match my old clay tiles?
Often, but not always exactly. We’ll look for a matching color and profile and, if needed, talk through using salvaged tiles or moving originals from a less visible area.
Will hail break a clay tile roof?
Large hail can crack or chip clay tile. Smaller hail often doesn’t. After a hailstorm, it’s worth having the roof checked, since cracked tiles aren’t always easy to see from the ground.
Can my house take a clay tile roof if it has shingles now?
Maybe. Clay tile is much heavier than shingles, so the roof framing needs to be checked first. If it can’t carry tile, concrete tile or stone-coated steel may give you a similar look with less weight.
A tile roof you can keep enjoying
A cracked tile or a worn valley left alone lets water work into the underlayment and the deck, and a simple repair turns into a bigger one. Catching it early is usually what keeps a tile roof worth saving.
Call 720-902-6940 to book your free inspection. The goal is the roof you love, sound and dry, with no surprise bill. See all our tile options on the Denver metro tile roofing page.
