You love the look of a clay tile roof, or you bought a home that already has one, and now you’re wondering how it’ll hold up through a Kansas winter and a spring full of hail. Clay tile roofing in Shawnee is less common than shingles, which makes it harder to find someone who’ll give you a straight answer about it.
That’s a fair concern. Clay tile is a big investment, it’s heavy and it behaves differently from anything else on your street. You deserve to understand the trade-offs before you commit, or before someone tells you your existing tile roof has to come off.
APC Roofing works on both clay and concrete tile from our office in Shawnee. We’ve been in business since 2017 and we’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured. Your inspection and estimate are free, so call 913-398-5020 to set up a time.
What clay tile is, and why people choose it
Clay roof tile is made from natural clay that’s shaped and fired in a kiln, much like brick. The color comes from the clay itself or from a glaze fired onto the surface, so it holds its color for a very long time instead of fading the way painted finishes can.
Most homeowners pick clay tile for the classic Spanish or Mediterranean look that only tile gives, and because the tile itself doesn’t burn or rot. If you own an older home that came with tile, keeping it is also part of what gives the house its character.
You’ll mostly see two shapes. Barrel tile (also called Spanish or mission tile) is the rounded S-curve most people picture. Flat clay tile is more subtle, with a look closer to slate or shake.
How clay tile roofing in Shawnee handles the weather
Clay tile was born in warm, dry places, so it’s fair to ask how it does in Johnson County. The honest answer: well, if it’s the right product and it’s installed for this climate.
Freeze-thaw. Clay absorbs a small amount of water. If that water freezes inside the tile, it can cause cracking or flaking over time. Clay tile sold for cold climates is made and tested to resist that. If you’re choosing new tile, ask whether it’s rated for severe weathering, and don’t settle for tile designed only for warm regions.
Hail. Clay tile is hard, but it’s brittle. Large hail can crack or chip it, especially at the exposed edges. Cracked tiles can usually be replaced one at a time, which is a real advantage over materials that have to be replaced by the slope.
Snow and ice. Tile roofs here need a self-sealing ice-and-water membrane at the eaves and in valleys, because ice dams can push water under any roof covering. Some tile roofs also need snow guards to keep heavy snow from sliding off in a sheet.
Wind. Each tile should be mechanically fastened, with extra fastening at the edges, ridges and hips where wind pull is strongest.
The weight question
Clay tile is much heavier than asphalt shingles. If your home was built with tile, the framing was planned for it. If you’re switching from shingles to clay tile, the roof structure needs to be checked first, and sometimes reinforced, before the tile goes on. We won’t recommend that switch without knowing your roof can carry it.
What actually wears out on a clay tile roof
Most people are surprised to learn that on a clay tile roof, the tile usually isn’t what fails first. The underlayment beneath it is the real waterproofing layer, and it wears out long before good tile does. Flashing at walls, chimneys and valleys, plus mortar or fasteners at the ridges, are the other common trouble spots.
That’s why a leaking clay tile roof often doesn’t need new tile. It may need the tile carefully lifted, the underlayment replaced and the same tile put back. Our page on tile roof repair in Shawnee explains how that works.
Clay or concrete tile?
Concrete tile looks similar and costs less, but it’s heavier, absorbs more water and its color can fade if it’s only on the surface. Clay keeps its color and usually lasts longer as a material. Our page on concrete tile roofing in Shawnee lays out that comparison from the other side, and our Shawnee tile roofing page covers all of our tile work.
If the weight or cost of tile is a deal-breaker, stone-coated steel is worth a look. It can mimic the shape of tile at a fraction of the weight. See our metal roofing options in Shawnee.
Caring for a clay tile roof
Don’t walk on it. Clay tile cracks under foot traffic, and a broken tile you can’t see is how many leaks start. Keep gutters and valleys clear of leaves, since trapped debris holds water against the tile. Skip the pressure washer too, because it can damage the surface and force water under the tile. If you spot a cracked or slipped tile from the ground, a small repair now is far easier than a soaked deck later.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos of the tile, the flashing and anything we can see of the underlayment, and a straight answer on whether you need a repair, a re-lay or new tile. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Tile work takes longer than a shingle job, and you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
Clay tile questions from Shawnee homeowners
Can clay tile handle Kansas winters?
Yes, when the tile is rated for freeze-thaw and installed with an ice-and-water membrane at the eaves and valleys.
Will hail destroy a clay tile roof?
Large hail can crack individual tiles. Those can usually be replaced one by one, and the inspection will show how many were hit.
Can my house hold a clay tile roof?
If it was built with tile, probably. If you’re switching from shingles, the structure has to be checked first.
Can broken tiles be matched?
Often, especially with salvaged tile from the same roof or a close match from a supplier. Keeping a few spare tiles from your roof makes future repairs much easier.
Talk to someone who works on clay tile
Call 913-398-5020 to book your free inspection. You’ll get honest advice on whether clay tile fits your home, or what your current tile roof really needs.
The goal is a roof that looks the way you want, keeps your home dry through every season and gives you confidence in the choice you made. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
