For Floridians, terracotta roofing is a timeless, luxurious option. These high-quality roofing tiles are renowned for their durability, longevity, and enduring beauty. But are these high-end roofing materials worth all the hype?
We’re here to help you find out. We’re PITCH Roofing, and as veteran Florida roofers, we know terracotta tile roofing better than most. Today, we’re reviewing the pros and cons of terracotta roofing to help you plan your next roof replacement. Keep reading for a complete guide to terracotta tile roofing for Florida homeowners!
What Is Terracotta Roofing?
A terracotta roofing system is surprisingly complex. On the surface, you have your terracotta tiles, which are made of natural clay that has been heat-treated and hardened to ready them for Florida’s harsh weather conditions.
Below this surface layer, you also have a water-resistant underlayment. When installed properly, terracotta roof tiles should be carefully arranged to help water flow seamlessly off your roof. This doesn’t catch every drop, though. For the small amounts of water that can sneak their way through, your underlayment serves as a secondary barrier and protects your vulnerable roof decking.
Your decking is the base layer of your roof, and it’s what everything rests on. With terracotta roofing, decking may sometimes need to be reinforced to hold up the heavy tiles. But as long as the other parts of your roofing system work, there should be no way for the Florida elements to access your decking or damage it.
The final result is a complex, multi-layered roofing system. And while this can offer fantastic protection for your home or commercial property, it has its flaws, too. So before you commit to anything for your next roof replacement, let’s talk about the good and the bad of terracotta roofing in Florida.
Pros of Terracotta Roofing in Florida
No roofing material is “perfect,” but terracotta roofing has plenty of great features. If you’ve lived in Florida for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen more than a few clay tile roofs. Let’s look at why Florida homeowners keep picking this roofing material!
Great Hurricane Resistance
In Florida, everyone is worried about how their roof is going to hold up against the next hurricane. If you want peace of mind, there aren’t many options better than terracotta roofing. With shingle roofs, it’s normal to find a shingle or two in your yard after a major storm. But tiles are sturdier and heavier, which allows them to resist winds of up to 180 mph!
These aren’t just great against the wind, though. Terracotta tiles are also Class A fire-resistant, UV-reflective to minimize sun damage, and highly resistant to rot and pest infestations that can plague shingle roofs. In short, these tiles do a great job protecting you against the worst that Florida’s weather pattern has to offer!
Unmatched Longevity
Terracotta roofing tiles are, bar none, the longest-lasting tiles in Florida. Thanks to all their protective features, terracotta tile roofs last for about 50 years on average. But with proper maintenance and care, terracotta roofing tiles can last for as long as 100 years!
Compare that with asphalt shingle roofs, which only last 20-25 years in Florida. While there’s no denying that terracotta tiles are a high-end roofing material, you can at least make this investment knowing that you won’t need a new roof for a long, long time!
Color and Style Options
A big part of getting a new roof is finding the right one to protect your home. But you’ll also want to consider how your roof contributes to your home’s aesthetic and curb appeal, especially if you plan to sell one day. Luckily, terracotta roofing tiles come with plenty of opportunities for customization.
To start, tiles come in many different colors. Whether you like natural earth tones, the classic red of terracotta tiles, or zanier colors, there is definitely something out there for you. And with options in the style and cut of your tile as well, you can create a pattern that is 100% unique to your home!
Low Maintenance Needs
Every roof will need occasional maintenance and repairs. But compared to other roofing materials, terracotta tiles don’t need much. Aside from the occasional cleaning, there shouldn’t be many occasions when you need to fix an issue with your terracotta tile roof.
There is one potential exception. While it’s by no means common, during a hurricane storm debris can sometimes shatter tiles. The good news, though, is that this is a quick and easy tile roof repair, so you don’t have to worry about a large surprise bill.
Cons of Terracotta Roofing in Florida
While terracotta roofing comes with a lot of upsides, it has its downsides, too. Whether or not the cons outweigh the pros, though, will be for you to decide. So let’s look at the cons of terracotta roofing that you should know before scheduling a roof replacement!
High Installation Costs
We’ve certainly proven that terracotta tile roofs are high-quality. But that quality comes with an equally high cost. In fact, the biggest reason that more homeowners don’t choose terracotta roofing is the high roof installation costs.
So how much will a terracotta tile roof run you? Well, that depends in part on the size and state of your roof. But if you’re looking for a price range, you can expect to pay $12 to $21 per square foot for a terracotta tile roof. Those are high roofing costs, but you also have to consider the quality you’re paying for. Does the protection and longevity of a clay tile roof justify the high cost to install it? Only you can answer that question for yourself.
Replacing Underlayment
Earlier we informed you that terracotta roofing tiles can last for 50 to 100 years or more, and that’s still true. But not every part of your roofing system has that kind of longevity. Specifically, your roof underlayment will probably need replacing every 20 years or so.
That means that every 20 years, you’ll likely need to have your tiles removed and re-applied so that roofers can replace your underlayment with a new one. Thankfully, you won’t need to buy tiles again, so your total roofing costs will be much lower than that of a roof replacement. Still, this process can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s an expense that you should know about before committing to anything.
Get a Free Tile Roofing Estimate
After looking at the pros and cons of terracotta roofing in Florida, only you can decide if it’s the right fit for you or not. But whether you’re interested in getting a quote for terracotta tiles or you’re considering another roofing material, PITCH is ready to help. We proudly provide free, no-obligation roofing estimates that come without any hidden fees or other nasty surprises.
If you’d like to see a complete, soup-to-nuts cost breakdown for your new roof, we’ll make it easy! All you have to do is call us at 727-677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. If you’d rather skip the in-person chat and roof inspection, we can even do an online-only estimate using satellite images of your property!
No matter how you want to collect your estimate or what roofing material you’re interested in, you’re going to need experienced local pros in your corner. PITCH has great reviews, and as Owens Corning Preferred Contractors, we’ve been vetted by the best in the industry. Reach out to us today and let us earn your business through our great customer service and quality workmanship!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
