A tile roof gives a home a timeless, Mediterranean or Spanish-style look. Clay and concrete tile are durable materials, but they’re heavy, they can crack, and the layers underneath need care too. McGuire Roofing repairs and re-roofs clay and concrete tile roofs for clients in Knoxville and across East Tennessee, including broken tile replacement, flashing, and underlayment. We also install lightweight tile lookalikes in stone-coated steel and synthetic materials.
Clay vs. Concrete Tile
- Clay tile is made from fired clay. It’s known for rich, natural color and classic barrel and Spanish profiles.
- Concrete tile is molded from cement and sand. It comes in many profiles and colors, including flat, slate-like, and shake-like styles.
Both are heavy, and both depend on correct underlayment, fastening, and flashing to keep water out.
Tile Roof Repair
Tile can break from falling limbs, hail, or foot traffic, and tiles can slip out of place over time. Common tile roof repairs include:
- Broken tile replacement: removing cracked, chipped, or slipped tiles and setting replacements
- Flashing repair: at chimneys, walls, valleys, skylights, and vents
- Ridge and hip repair: re-securing or replacing ridge and hip tiles
- Leak tracing: finding where water is getting past the tile and underlayment
Matching older tile can be a challenge. We’ll look at what’s on your roof and talk through options before any work starts.
Underlayment and Re-Roofing
On many tile roofs, the underlayment beneath the tile does much of the waterproofing work. Tile can outlast that underlayment. When the underlayment fails, the roof can leak even though the tiles look fine. Depending on condition, a re-roof may mean carefully lifting the existing tile, replacing the underlayment and flashing, and re-laying the tile, or replacing the roof altogether. We’ll inspect your roof and tell you which makes sense.
Why Tile Weight and Structure Matter
Clay and concrete tile are much heavier than asphalt shingles. A home built for tile is framed to carry that load, but switching a shingle roof to real tile can require a structural evaluation and possible reinforcement. That’s one reason many East Tennessee homeowners choose a lightweight tile lookalike instead.
Tile Lookalikes We Install
If you want the look of tile without the weight, McGuire Roofing installs two lightweight options:
Stone-Coated Steel Tile (DECRA)
DECRA Tile offers a classic barrel-tile look and DECRA Villa Tile a higher-profile Mediterranean look. Both are stone-coated steel with a UL Class 4 impact rating and a Class A fire rating, and DECRA’s profiles are far lighter than clay or concrete tile. Learn more on our stone-coated steel roofing page.
Synthetic Tile (Brava and DaVinci)
Brava Spanish Barrel Tile gives the warm look of traditional clay barrel tile at a fraction of the weight. DaVinci and Brava also make composite slate and shake. Learn more on our synthetic roofing page.
See all of our specialty roofs.
Cost and Value
Tile work is priced on the roof itself: size and pitch, the type and availability of tile, how many tiles need to be replaced, underlayment and flashing condition, and any structural work. Lightweight lookalikes are priced by brand, profile, and color. We give every client a free written estimate. Financing is available for qualified clients.
Why Clients Choose McGuire Roofing
- Local to Knoxville: Our office is at 623 Simmons Road, Suite 1, Knoxville, TN 37932, and we serve clients across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, and Tellico Village.
- Specialty roof experience: We repair and re-roof clay and concrete tile, which calls for different handling, fastening, and flashing than shingles. We also install stone-coated steel and synthetic systems to each manufacturer’s specifications.
- Phones answered 24/7: Call 865-338-7663 any time.
- Honest insurance help: Free storm damage inspections and photo documentation of what we find. We never cover or waive deductibles.
- Financing for qualified clients.
Tile Roofing FAQ
Can you replace a few broken tiles?
Often, yes. Broken or slipped tiles can usually be removed and replaced individually, as long as matching tiles are available. If an exact match isn’t available, we’ll talk through your options before we start.
Why does tile weight matter?
Clay and concrete tile are much heavier than asphalt shingles. If you’re switching from a lighter roof to tile, the framing may need to be evaluated by a qualified professional first. Lightweight lookalikes like stone-coated steel or synthetic tile avoid most of that extra load.
Can I walk on my tile roof?
We don’t recommend it. Tiles can crack under foot traffic if you step in the wrong place. Let us do the inspection.
My tiles look fine but the roof leaks. Why?
On many tile roofs, the underlayment under the tile does much of the waterproofing. When it wears out, or when flashing fails, a roof can leak even though the tiles look fine. A tile lift and re-lay with new underlayment may fix it.
What are the lightweight alternatives to tile?
We install DECRA stone-coated steel tile profiles and DaVinci and Brava synthetic roofing, including Brava Spanish Barrel Tile. See our stone-coated steel and synthetic roofing pages.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Ask about financing options when we give your estimate.
Get a Free Tile Roof Estimate
Broken tiles, a leak, or thinking about a tile look for your home? Request your free quote, contact us, or call 865-338-7663. We answer 24/7.