While homeowners love tile roofs for their durability and style, tile roofing costs can be steep.
If you’re trying to decide whether or not the higher costs of a tile roof are worth it, I’ll help you determine if tile roofs are the right choice for your home. Read on to understand more about the factors that play a part in the price of tile roofing projects, the main types of tile roofs on the market, and the differences between DIY and professional installations.
To find this information, I researched cost data from real industrial suppliers and compared these prices to currently reported industry trends.
What Is the Cost of a Tile Roof?
The national average tile roof installation cost is between $14,000 and $50,000. The broad price range is due to the variety of options available for tile roofs. There are multiple types of materials to choose from and many styles of tile. These factors can significantly impact the cost of your new tile roof.
| Low-end | National Average | High-end |
| $12,000–$14,000 | $16,000–$$35,000 | $50,000–$75,000 |
What Is the Cost of a Tile Roof by Type?
The main cost determiner of any roofing project is its materials. Some roofing tiles, like concrete or clay, can cost as low as $3 to $5 per square foot, while others, like slate, can be as high as $30. See below for a comprehensive breakdown of the material and installation costs of each main type of roofing tile on the market.
| Material Type | Base Material Cost Per Square Foot | Total Installation Cost Per Square Foot | Total Project Cost (1,700 Square Foot Roof) |
| Clay or terracotta tile | $4.35–$6.60 | $7.44–$14.87 | $12,648–$25,279 |
| Concrete tile | $1.79–$3.74 | $5.06–$19.20 | $8,602–$32,640 |
| Metal tile | $3.75–$25.35 | $8.25–$45.34 | $14,025–$68,000 |
| Slate tile | $6.03–$20.10 | $9.00–$30.00+ | $15,300–$51,000 |
| Composite tile | $7.15–$12.35 | $9.50–$14.75 | $16,150–$25,075 |
Clay or Terracotta
Clay or terracotta roof tiles are best for arid, warm climates. These roof tiles provide ample insulation, are long-lasting, and have a beautiful aesthetic. The downsides of these tiles are that they’re fragile, don’t resist impact well, and don’t hold up against consistent moisture. Clay roof tiles typically cost between $7.44 to $14.87 per square foot.
Concrete
Concrete is sturdy, long-lasting, durable, and relatively inexpensive. However, these tiles are extremely heavy, usually requiring the structural reinforcement of roof systems before installation. Additionally, like clay tiles, concrete roofing isn’t very resistant to water and cold temperatures. On average, you can expect to pay between $5.06 and $19.20 per square foot for concrete roof tiles.
Metal
Metal tiles come in steel, aluminum, zinc, copper, and materials. Steel and aluminum are more affordable but don’t last as long, while zinc and copper are considered luxury materials and can last up to 150 years. Since there are so many types of metal roofs, the price range can vary immensely, costing anywhere from $8.25 to $45.34 per square foot.
Slate
Durable, lasting up to 200 years, and resistant to heat and cold, slate is considered one of the best roofing materials. However, like concrete, it’s extremely heavy, often requiring reinforcement or restructuring of current roofing systems. It’s also very expensive, with one of the highest material and labor costs of any roof, between $9 and $30 per square foot (or more, depending on where you get your slate from).
Composite
Composite tiles are made from natural materials and are designed to resemble slate, cement, asphalt, clay, or even wood shake tiles. These tiles are lightweight, less expensive, and typically more weather resistant than their counterparts, but they don’t last as long (only up to 50 years). Composite tiles usually cost between $9.50 to $14.75 per square foot.
What Is a Tile Roof’s Cost by Roof Size?
Right after materials, a roof’s size is the next most impactful element when it comes to installation costs. The larger the roof, the more materials, labor hours, and crew members are needed to install new tiles.
The below table shows how roof size can impact the cost of your new roof tile installation. I used the national average price of tile roofs and included labor, overhead, and taxes in the final costs.
| Roof Size (In Square Feet) | Price Range | Average Cost |
| 1,000 | $9,410–$20,590 | $15,000 |
| 1,500 | $14,115–$30,885 | $22,500 |
| 2,000 | $24,500–$30,600 | $27,550 |
| 2,500 | $23,525–$51,475 | $37,500 |
| 3,000 | $28,230–$61,770 | $45,00 |
| 3,500 | $32,935–$72,065 | $52,500 |
| 4,000 | $37.640–$82,360 | $60,000 |
| 4,500 | $42,345–$92,655 | $67,500 |
| 5,000 | $47,050–$102,950 | $75,000 |
How Much Does a Tile Roof Cost by Style?
The final factor that can significantly affect a clay tile roof installation is the tile type. Not all materials come in different styles, and the specific costs for each can vary depending on the manufacturer. However, clay, cement, and slate often come in numerous different designs and sizes, which can significantly affect their cost. Here’s a quick breakdown of the major tile style types and their comparative prices.
Flat Tiles
These are the standard cost-efficient option for most tile brands. They’re usually simple, easy to install, low-maintenance, and are plain in appearance. Expect to pay between $8 to $9 per square foot for flat clay tiles.
Barrel Tiles
Also known as double Roman or Spanish tiles, these have a barrel-like appearance. The design of barrel tiles means they’re aesthetically pleasing but also energy efficient, as the air pockets created by the tile’s shape form an insulating air barrier. Barrel tiles usually cost between $11 and $15 per square foot.
French Tiles
These are much thicker and heavier than other styles, making them more damage-resistant. Unfortunately, their heftiness and sturdiness are what makes them more expensive. Additionally, these tiles have indentations that improve water flow. The average cost of French clay tiles runs between $9 to $13 per square foot.
Mission Tiles
Also called “S” or pantile tiles, these have a curved shape that allows them to interlock, creating a beautiful wave-like pattern. While these tiles provide a unique Mediterranean look, they’re difficult to install, which increases the cost. You can expect to pay between $9 to $12 per square foot for mission-style tiles.
Riviera Tiles
These tiles are semi-flat with distinct ridges, creating a symmetrical, clean look. As a bonus, these sharp lines and valleys create an extremely efficient water flow system, making them a better option for rainier regions. Riviera tiles usually cost around $9 to $11 per square foot.
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Which Factors Impact How Much a Tile Roof Costs?
While roof size, material choice, and tile style are the three major elements determining your tile roof replacement cost, other factors play a part. A home’s slope, old roof removal, potential reinforcements, and additional services can add to the final bill. Below, I’ll break down each of these factors and explain how much they can affect the total cost of your tile roofing project.
Roof Pitch
Unless you have a home with a flat roof, it’ll likely have one or more slopes. These slopes can significantly increase the size of your roof compared to the base square footage of your home. However, finding the true measurements of your roof, including slope, is relatively easy.
To see your roof’s actual square footage, the first thing you’ll need to know is its slopes’ steepness, also called its pitch. A roof’s pitch is calculated by its rise-over-run ratio, or how many inches it rises vertically for every foot it extends (runs) horizontally. This ratio is written as X:12, where “X” is its rise. Once you have this ratio, you can use an online calculator to find the exact area of your roof.
The following table demonstrates how much a roof’s pitch can affect its size and the cost of installing a new tile roof.
| Base Square Footage of Home | Roof Pitch | Roof’s True Area in Square Feet | Tile Shingle Installation Cost |
| 2,200 | 4:12 | 2,541 | $38,115 |
| 2,200 | 6:12 | 2,695 | $40,425 |
| 2,200 | 8:12 | 2,897 | $43,455 |
| 2,400 | 4:12 | 2,762 | $41,430 |
| 2,400 | 6:12 | 2,929 | $43,935 |
| 2,400 | 8:12 | 3,149 | $47,235 |
| 2,700 | 4:12 | 3,092 | $46,380 |
| 2,700 | 6:12 | 3,279 | $49,185 |
| 2,700 | 8:12 | 3,525 | $52,875 |
Old Roof Removal
When installing a new roof, you must remove the previous one. Some materials, like slate and concrete, have extremely expensive removal and disposal costs. However, if you have an asphalt shingle roof, expect to pay between $125 to $500 per square to have the shingles ripped up, then an additional $300 to $600 for a disposal fee.
The following table gives a more detailed breakdown of the national average cost for removing an old roof.
| Roof Size (In Square Feet) | Shingle Removal and Disposal Cost |
| 1,000 | $1,850–$5,600 |
| 1,500 | $2,475–$8,100 |
| 2.000 | $3,100–$10,600 |
| 2,500 | $2,725–$13,100 |
| 3,000 | $4,350–$15,600 |
| 3,500 | $4,975–$18,100 |
| 4,000 | $5,600–$20,600 |
Reinforcement
If you’re interested in clay, concrete, slate, or other stone tiles, there’s a good chance your roof’s structure may need to be reinforced. Stone tile roofs are much heavier than more traditional materials. For example, a slate roof weighs between 800 to 1,500 pounds per 100 square feet, over three times as much as asphalt shingles, which only weigh 230 to 430.
The exact cost of a roof reinforcement or reframing depends on the structure and age of your roof, but standard prices range from $15,000 to $30,000.
Read also: Skylight Installation Cost
Additional Services and Roof Repairs
Many homeowners opt to have their contractors make additions while replacing their roofs. Some add-ons have a negligible impact on the final bill, but the cost of gutter installation, adding a skylight, or any other significant job can be quite pricey.
On the other hand, your roofer may come across a damaged structure that needs to be repaired for the installation to continue. When this happens, your contractor should draft a new estimate that includes the cost of the repairs.
Here is a quick price breakdown of the most common additional services and repairs that can take place during a roof installation:
- Replace flashing: $10–$27 per linear foot
- Roof sealing: $1–$4 per square foot
- Gutter repair or replacement: $1,000–$7,000
- Skylight installation: $900–$2,500
- Chimney repair: $150–$1,000
- Vent or ductwork repair: $150–$900
- Insulation installation: Between $2.14 and $4.30 per square foot, totaling between $1,500 to over $2,000
- Roof underlayment (decking): Between $2 and $3 per square foot
- Roof inspection: $150 to $200
Find Roofing Cost Estimates In Your State
What Are the Benefits of Investing in a Tile Roof?
Tile roofs have numerous benefits over traditional asphalt and metal roofs. The average life span of an asphalt roof is between 15 to 20 years, less than half that of the minimum lifespan of a tile roof (composite) at 50 years. On top of that, tile roofs are also more durable and resistant to the elements than traditional roofs. Their increased weight allows them to handle high winds and extreme temperatures much better than asphalt shingles.
Read also: Guide for Roof Flashing Installation
Professional Vs. DIY Tile Roof Installation Cost
While some DIY roofing projects may seem manageable, tile roof installation process isn’t one of them. Installing a tile roof requires special training and equipment, making it outside the capabilities of most homeowners. Furthermore, stone tiles are too heavy to manage alone and without special hauling equipment, making them a job that requires a team of trained professionals. This is why it’s best to hire a trained and certified roofing company for a tile roof installation.
Hiring a Professional for a Tile Roofing Project
Finding the right tile roof installer can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never worked with a home improvement company. But contacting a professional roofing contractor doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you follow the below steps. Here’s what to do:
- Find local experts near you: Look for local roofing contractors.
- Check companies’ work history: Take the time to research each company’s work history, including customer service reviews, complaints, and certifications. Use websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google My Business Page.
- Get a quote from a few options: Select several promising candidates and schedule times to receive free cost estimates from each.
- Consult them about their recommendations: During the initial consultation, ask each representative their thoughts on the project.
- Compare quotes and make a final selection: Once you have multiple quotes, compare them to find the best option for the lowest price.
So, Is a Tile Roof Installation Worth the Cost?
One of the best things about tile is that most materials are eco-friendly and recyclable. Specifically, slate, concrete, and clay roofing tiles are ideal for sustainably-minded homeowners. Not only can these tiles be recycled, but their high energy efficiency results in lower electricity bills and smaller carbon footprints.
While tile roofs are more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles, their durability, weather resistance, energy efficiency, and increased life span are well worth the price. The only major downside is for homeowners in rainy regions, as some tile materials aren’t suited for areas with heavy rainfall.
FAQs About Tile Roof Costs
Is a tile roof better than a shingle roof?
Tile roofs have many benefits over shingle roofs, but the most important upside is that they last much longer. The shortest-lived tile roofs, composites, have a life span twice as long as traditional asphalt shingles.
What is the cheapest tile roof?
Clay and concrete tile roofs are typically the most affordable roofing materials, costing an average of $7.44 to $14.87 and $5.06 to $19.20 per square foot, respectively.
How long do tile roofs last?
A tile roof’s life span depends on its materials, care, and your home’s location. However, a standard clay tile roof can last 50 to 100 years — and some other materials can last even longer.
How heavy is a tile roof?
Clay tile roofs can weigh as much as 600 pounds per square foot, while concrete roofs can weigh up to 1,100 pounds per square foot and slate roofs, up to 1,500 pounds per square foot.
