Should I Choose Clay or Concrete Tiles for My Roof?

Clay and concrete tiles can look similar on day one but age very differently. Here is a straight comparison to help you pick the right one for your house.

Choose clay if appearance and longevity matter most, if the house is period or in a conservation area, or if the roof is already clay. Choose concrete if budget matters most and the house is modern, or where you are matching an existing concrete tiled roof. Both make a sound, watertight roof when laid properly.

Clay tiles are shaped from natural clay and fired in a kiln, so their colour runs right through the tile. Concrete tiles are made from sand, cement and pigment, pressed into shape and cured. The pigment is mostly on the surface, which explains a lot about how the two types age.

Both come in a range of profiles, from small plain tiles to larger interlocking designs.

Clay weathers gracefully. The colour mellows and lichen and moss soften it, which is why old clay roofs across the south of England look so settled. Concrete tiles tend to lose surface colour over the years, so they can look faded and flat, and the texture can roughen and hold moss.

On a new build or a modern extension that difference may matter little. On an older house it often decides the choice.

Weight and the roof structure

Concrete tiles are generally heavier than clay tiles of a similar format, though plain tiles in either material are laid with more overlap and so weigh more per square metre than large interlocking tiles. Switching from a lighter covering to a heavier one can mean checking that the rafters and purlins can take the extra load.

This is one reason a roofer will ask what is on the roof now before recommending what goes on next.

Period homes and conservation areas

Clay tile is the traditional covering on much of rural Oxfordshire, and in conservation areas or on listed buildings planners usually expect like for like replacement. Replacing clay with concrete in those settings may need consent and is often refused. Hand made or handcrafted clay tiles are frequently used to match the uneven character of old roofs.

Our guide to roofing in conservation areas covers the permissions side in more detail.

Cost is only part of the picture

Concrete tiles usually cost less to buy, which is why they are common on newer houses and large re-roofs. The labour, scaffolding, underlay and battens make up a large share of any re-roof whichever tile is chosen, so the difference in the total price is often smaller than the tile price alone suggests. Weighing up how the roof will look in twenty or thirty years, and what the house deserves, helps put the saving in context.

When a few tiles break, the replacements need to match. Old clay tiles can often be sourced reclaimed, and some roofers keep stock from previous jobs. Older concrete profiles can be harder to match once they are discontinued, which is worth knowing if a repair is ever needed on a concrete roof.

Whatever you choose, the underlay, battens, fixings and detailing at ridges, valleys and verges matter as much as the tile itself.

Do clay tiles last longer than concrete tiles?

Clay generally ages better because its colour is fired through the tile, while concrete tiles tend to fade and roughen on the surface over time.

Can I replace clay tiles with concrete tiles?

Often, but check the roof can take any extra weight, and in conservation areas or on listed buildings you may need consent.

Why does my concrete tile roof look faded?

The pigment in concrete tiles is mostly on the surface, so years of sun and rain wear the colour away.

Are concrete tiles heavier than clay?

Usually, for tiles of a similar type, which is why a structural check may be needed when switching coverings.

Can you match old tiles for a repair?

We match old clay tiles where we can, including reclaimed tiles, and source the closest available profile for concrete roofs.

Weighing up clay and concrete?

We will look at the house, the existing roof and any planning limits, then quote for the tile that suits it.

Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.