Tile roofing is deeply embedded in Florida's architectural identity. Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and Coastal styles all call for tile. But tile is also the most misunderstood roofing material in terms of cost. The upfront price is only part of the picture. Here's the full financial reality.
Tile Roof Installation Costs (New)
| Tile Type | Cost/Sq Ft | 2,000 Sq Ft Home | 2,500 Sq Ft Home | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete S-Tile (Barrel) | $8-14 | $16,000-28,000 | $20,000-35,000 | 40-50 yrs |
| Concrete Flat Tile | $7-12 | $14,000-24,000 | $17,500-30,000 | 40-50 yrs |
| Clay Barrel Tile | $12-25 | $24,000-50,000 | $30,000-62,500 | 50-75 yrs |
| Clay Flat Tile | $10-20 | $20,000-40,000 | $25,000-50,000 | 50-75 yrs |
| Stone-Coated Steel (Tile Profile) | $10-16 | $20,000-32,000 | $25,000-40,000 | 50-70 yrs |
The Hidden Cost: Underlayment Replacement
This is what most homeowners don't know about tile roofs. The tiles last 40-75 years, but theunderlayment beneath them only lasts 20-25 years in Florida's climate. When the underlayment fails, water leaks through even though the tiles look perfect from the outside.
Underlayment replacement means removing every tile, replacing the underlayment (and any damaged deck boards), then reinstalling the same tiles. Costs:
| Component | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tile removal (careful) | $2,000-4,000 | 5-10% breakage rate is normal |
| New underlayment | $1,500-3,000 | Self-adhering recommended for FL |
| Deck repair (if needed) | $500-2,000 | Some plywood always needs replacing |
| Tile reinstallation | $2,500-5,000 | Plus replacement tiles for broken ones |
| Replacement tiles | $500-1,500 | 5-10% of tiles will break during removal |
| Total | $7,000-15,500 |
Factor this into your total cost of ownership. A concrete tile roof that costs $20,000 to install and $10,000 to re-underlayment at year 22 has a true cost of $30,000 over its 45-year life, or $667/year. Still competitive with shingles at $500-700/year (factoring in one or two full replacements over the same period).
Structural Requirements
Tile is heavy. Concrete tile weighs 9-12 pounds per square foot compared to 2.5-4 pounds for shingles. Clay is slightly lighter at 6-10 pounds per square foot. Your roof structure must support this weight.
- Homes built for tile: If your Pinellas County home was originally built with a tile roof, the trusses were engineered for that weight. Re-tiling is straightforward.
- Converting from shingles to tile: Requires a structural engineering evaluation ($300-800) to verify your trusses can handle 3-4x more weight. Many older Pinellas homes CANNOT support tile without structural reinforcement ($5,000-15,000), which often makes the conversion financially impractical.
- Alternative: stone-coated steel: Looks like tile, weighs 1.5-2.5 lbs/sq ft. No structural upgrade needed. Popular solution for homeowners wanting tile aesthetics on shingle-rated structures.
Tile Roof Repair Costs
| Repair Type | Cost | Common Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Single tile replacement | $50-150 | Impact damage, foot traffic |
| Multiple tile replacement (10-20) | $500-2,000 | Storm damage |
| Ridge mortar repair | $300-1,000 | Thermal cycling cracks mortar |
| Valley flashing repair | $400-1,200 | Sealant failure, debris accumulation |
| Leak investigation + repair | $500-2,000 | Underlayment failure beneath intact tiles |
| Wind damage (displaced tiles) | $300-1,500 | Hurricane/tropical storm |
Tile vs Other Premium Materials
| Feature | Concrete Tile | Standing Seam Metal | Stone-Coated Steel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost/sq ft | $8-14 | $10-18 | $10-16 |
| Lifespan (FL) | 40-50 yrs | 50-70 yrs | 50-70 yrs |
| Weight | 9-12 lbs/sq ft | 1-2 lbs/sq ft | 1.5-2.5 lbs/sq ft |
| Underlayment replacement | Yes, at 20-25 yrs | No | No |
| Wind rating | 150+ mph | 140-170+ mph | 120-150 mph |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Insurance impact | Favorable | Best (20-35% discount) | Good (15-25%) |
| Walking on roof | Tiles break | Safe (most profiles) | Safe |
Get a Tile Roof Quote
Whether you're installing new tile, re-underlaying an existing tile roof, or considering alternatives, we provide free assessments across St. Petersburg,Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, and all of Pinellas County. Use our cost calculator for an instant estimate.