Tile roofing has been part of Florida history for centuries, ever since Spanish settlers put up their first colonies here. Concrete and clay tile are still popular across the state, but metal tile roofing now gives those classics a serious run for their money.
Is a metal tile roof worth the investment in Florida? That is what this guide is for. We are PITCH Roofing, and as veteran Florida roofers we consider it our job to give you current, local information on your roofing options. Here is everything you need to know about metal roofing tiles: what they are, the profiles you can choose, the pros and cons, what they cost against clay and concrete, and the two things to check before you buy one near the coast.
What Is a Metal Tile Roof?
If you have heard of stone-coated steel, you already have the idea. A metal tile roof starts with sheets of steel, sculpted at the factory to mimic the shape of traditional roofing tiles. The steel is coated in a protective alloy, usually zinc, aluminum or both, to stop rust. Then the sheet is covered in small stone granules and paint. The granules give the tile its texture and another layer of protection; the paint binds the granules to the steel and carries the color.
Installation is where metal tile differs most from clay. Clay and concrete go on one tile at a time. Metal tiles come in sheets that cover several tiles at once and are screwed straight down into the roof deck, which is faster, lighter, and, as you will see below, cheaper.
The result is a roof that is all but indistinguishable from real tile from the street, with the wind and impact protection of steel underneath.
Get the Luxury Look for Less
If you love the Mediterranean look of barrel tiles but are shocked by the price of clay ($12 to $21 per sq. ft.), a Metal Tile Roof is the compromise. At $7 to $15 per square foot you get the exact style and color you want, paired with the 170 mph wind rating of steel.
Metal Tile Profiles: Barrel, Flat and Shake
Metal tile is one product in several shapes, and the shape is mostly an aesthetic choice.
- Barrel tile (Spanish or S-tile). The mission-style profile Florida is known for, named for a barrel cut in half lengthwise. The rounded shape sheds water fast and gives the deep shadow lines of a clay roof. Metal barrel tile is the most requested profile we install, and it sits at the upper half of the metal tile price range.
- Flat tile. A clean, slate-like plane with crisp edges. Popular on contemporary and Key West style homes.
- Shake. A textured profile that reads as wood shake without the fire and rot problems of wood.
Every profile comes in the same steel-and-granule construction, so the performance numbers in this guide apply to all of them.
The “Hidden” Sheet Advantage
Love the mission-style look but not the weight? Metal barrel tile comes in pre-formed sheets rather than individual tiles. You get the classic Spanish aesthetic in a lighter, more secure system that puts far less load on your trusses than clay.
Pros and Cons of a Metal Tile Roof
There is no such thing as a perfect roof. Every material wins on some of durability, longevity and cost, and every material has a downside. Here is the honest list for metal tile in Florida.
Pro: The Protection of Metal
Clay tile roofs protect a home well. Stone-coated steel does at least as well, and better in a few places that matter here:
- Wind resistance up to 170 mph, above the Category 5 threshold
- Resistance to water damage and mold
- Virtual immunity to pests
- Rust resistance from the alloy coating
- Class A fire rating
Against concrete tile the gap is wider: metal tile is lighter, tougher against impact, and does not crack.
Pro: Faster Installation, Lower Labor Costs
Clay and concrete tiles are laid and secured one by one, which is slow, skilled work. Metal tiles arrive in strips and are screwed down by the sheet, so a crew covers a roof in a fraction of the time. That labor saving is a large part of why metal tile costs less than clay, and it also means fewer days with your roof open to the weather.
Con: Prone to Denting
Most of Florida sees little hail, but hail or storm debris hitting the roof at speed can leave a dent in a metal tile. It is rarely a structural concern, but it is a cosmetic one. The flip side: the same hit would shatter a clay tile, and a shattered tile is an immediate leak risk. A dented metal tile can wait for a convenient repair; a broken clay tile cannot.
Pro: All the Versatility of Clay
Part of what Florida homeowners like about tile is the range of shapes and colors. 
Metal roofing tiles come in the same profiles as clay and in more colors, because paint is not limited to earth tones the way fired clay is. Whether you want neutral tones or the classic terracotta red, you give nothing up.
Con: Color Fading Over Time
Florida is the Sunshine State, and year-round UV is hard on painted finishes. Over the life of a metal tile roof the paint slowly bleaches. Clay never fades; concrete tile fades the same way metal does. Because the paint also helps hold the granules on, you will want to stay ahead of it: plan on a repaint every 10 to 15 years, and keep up with routine maintenance.
Con: Exposed Fasteners
Metal tiles are screwed directly into the deck, so the fasteners live in the weather. Over decades the screws and washers wear and can back out, and that, not the steel, is usually what ends a metal tile roof’s life at 40 to 70 years, against 50 to 100 for real clay. A professional look at the fasteners every few years keeps small fixes small.
Con: Not Suited to the Immediate Coast
Salt air accelerates corrosion on steel. Metal tile performs well across most of Florida, even sandwiched between the Gulf and the Atlantic, but if your home is within about five miles of open salt water, choose an aluminum metal roof instead of stone-coated steel. Beyond that distance the added risk drops away.
Beware of the Saltwater Coast
Stone-coated steel tiles are incredibly durable, but they are not our recommendation directly on the coast. Salt in the air off the Gulf or Atlantic speeds up rust on steel. Within five miles of the coastline, go aluminum.
Pro: Lower Cost Than Clay Tile
It is rare for a metal roof not to be the expensive option, but here it is true. A metal tile roof costs far more than asphalt shingles and less than a clay tile roof replacement. Steel is cheaper to make than fired clay, and the sheet install cuts labor.
Unless you have a quote for your own roof, cost is always an estimate, but the ranges are consistent across Florida: a metal tile roof costs $7 to $15 per square foot installed. Clay tile runs $12 to $21, and concrete tile $9 to $19. Barrel profiles land toward the upper half of the metal range; flat tile toward the lower.
Clay can last a century in the right conditions, but in Florida most clay roofs are replaced around the 50 year mark, which is the same practical lifespan as metal tile. Same years of service, several dollars less per square foot, and a roof that will not shatter in a storm.
| Tile Material | Cost Per Sq. Ft. | Installation Method | Lifespan | Key Pros and Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Tile Roof (Stone-Coated Steel) | $7 to $15 | By the Sheet (Faster) | 40 to 70 Years (50 typical) |
|
| Clay Tile Roof | $12 to $21 | Tile-by-Tile (Slower) | 50 to 100+ Years |
|
| Concrete Tile Roof | $9 to $19 | Tile-by-Tile (Slower) | About 50 Years |
|
Plan for the Florida Sun
Natural clay never loses its color; metal and concrete tiles rely on painted finishes. With Florida’s year-round UV, expect a metal tile roof to bleach over time. Plan a repaint every 10 to 15 years to keep the color fresh and the stone granules protected.
Metal Tile or a Panel Metal Roof?
Metal tile is the choice when you want the look of tile. If the look does not matter and storm performance per dollar does, a standing seam or 5V panel roof is the other metal route, and it starts cheaper. We compare all of them, tile included, in our guide to metal vs tile roofing in Florida.
Get Your Free Roof Replacement Quote
For most Florida homeowners the pros of a metal tile roof outweigh the cons. If you agree, the next step is a free, no-obligation estimate, and unlike some roofers, PITCH makes a metal tile roof cost estimate quick and easy.
Call us at (727) 677-4824 or schedule your estimate online. No high-pressure sales, no vague numbers. We find out exactly what you want, then use our knowledge of the Florida roofing market to get you the best price for it.
If you would rather not book a visit yet, we can give you an online-only estimate from satellite images of your home. Either way, you get a clear number and a straight answer. Get your free estimate from PITCH and see what roofing done right looks like.
Metal Tile Roof FAQs
What exactly is a metal tile roof?
A metal tile roof, often called stone-coated steel, starts with sheets of steel sculpted to mimic traditional roofing tiles. The steel is coated in a rust-preventing alloy, then covered in stone granules and paint for durability and a realistic tile texture. It installs by the sheet, screwed into the roof deck.
Are metal roofs that look like tile any good?
Yes. They carry a 170 mph wind rating, will not shatter under impact, resist fire and pests, and cost less than clay. The trade-offs are denting from hail, a painted finish that needs a repaint every 10 to 15 years, and exposed fasteners that should be inspected every few years.
How much does a metal tile roof cost compared to clay?
A metal tile roof costs $7 to $15 per square foot installed in Florida. Clay tile runs $12 to $21 and concrete tile $9 to $19, so metal tile is the least expensive way to get a tile roof.
Is a metal barrel tile roof different from a metal tile roof?
No. Barrel (Spanish or S-tile) is a profile of stone-coated steel tile, alongside flat and shake profiles. Same material, same performance; the barrel shape costs a little more and gives the deep shadow lines of a clay roof.
How long do metal tile roofs last in Florida?
40 to 70 years, with 50 the typical figure. That matches the practical lifespan of clay and concrete tile in Florida, where clay roofs are usually replaced around 50 years even though the tiles themselves can last longer.
Do metal tile roofs fade in the sun?
Yes. Florida’s year-round UV slowly bleaches the paint on a metal tile roof. To keep the color and protect the stone granules, plan on a repaint every 10 to 15 years.
Can hail damage a metal tile roof?
A hard hit from hail or storm debris can dent a metal tile. Unlike clay, which can shatter, a dent is usually cosmetic rather than a leak risk, and it can be repaired at your convenience.
Are metal roof tiles a good idea near the coast?
Within about five miles of the Gulf or the Atlantic, no. Salt air speeds up corrosion on steel, so on the immediate coast we recommend an aluminum metal roof instead. Farther inland, stone-coated steel tile performs well across Florida.
PITCH Locations
Five offices across Florida.
From Seminole and Tampa Bay to Orlando, Ruskin, and Delray Beach, a PITCH crew is never far away. Every office is staffed by local roofers who know Florida weather, Florida codes, and Florida roofs. Find the office nearest you below, or load the map and explore.
