Tile roofs are beloved throughout Florida for their great aesthetics, unmatched longevity, and reliable durability. However, Floridians are always looking for ways to improve their roofs and help them hold up against the local elements. To that end, sealing roof tiles with protective coatings has become a hot button issue in many Florida communities. But is this the best way to protect your roof?
We’re PITCH Roofing, and we’ve been installing and repairing tile roofs across Florida for a long time. Today, we’re putting that expertise to use by weighing the pros and cons of roof tile sealants in Florida’s unique climate. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the latest roofing fad!
What Are Roof Tile Sealants?
When discussing sealing roof tiles, it can be hard to address all of the claims made by sealant manufacturers. That’s because there is no regulation of these sealants, meaning each one has a unique composition and makes different claims about what it can do. So we’re going to address some of the most common claims we see.
In general, tile roof sealants are marketed as protective coatings that can help your roofing tiles resist cracks, UV rays, water damage, and a host of other issues. The rationale goes that by putting up an extra barrier around your tiles, your roof is safer, more durable, and may even last longer.
Materials used in these sealants vary, with acrylic and silicone being the most common. Regardless of the material, though, most sealants make similar claims about protecting your roof and increasing its longevity. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of sealing roof tiles to see how these claims stack up!
Pros of Sealing Roof Tiles
While roof tile sealants don’t always live up to the hype, they can offer real benefits to your roof. Keep reading to see what protection you can really expect from sealing your roof tiles!
Preventing Cracking by Freezing
While tile roofs do repel water effectively, they are somewhat porous and may absorb small amounts of water. When this happens in colder climates, the water in the tile can freeze, causing it to expand and crack the tile. With a roof sealant, however, water may be unable to penetrate your tile in the first place, preventing this breakage.
That said, there are very few places in Florida where the weather gets cold enough to freeze water on your roof, even in the winter months. As a result, this benefit is unlikely to be a major solution to the concerns of most Florida homeowners.
Possible Increase in Longevity
It’s no secret that Florida does a lot of wear and tear damage to roofs. Humidity, UV rays, and occasional hurricanes will all do a number on your roof. By sealing your roof tiles, you may be able to minimize some of this wear and tear and extend the life of your roof by a handful of years.
That said, clay tile roofs already last a long time. In Florida you can expect them to last at least 50 years, with some clay tile roofs lasting up to a century or more. So while adding a few years onto your roof may be nice, it’s hard to say if it’s worth applying and re-applying a roof tile sealant.
Cons of Sealing Roof Tiles
Just as there are upsides to sealing roof tiles, there are downsides you should be aware of before applying anything to your roof. Here’s what to know before you purchase any roof tile sealants!
Sealants Strip Color
A roof sealant won’t last forever. And when it comes off your tile, it’s likely that it will take some of the color with it. This puts you in a tricky position. For concrete tiles, they’re already painted and would likely need to be repainted eventually, so the overall loss of color after sealing roof tiles may not be a huge deal. But clay tiles have natural pigmentation, and the only way to replace that is by replacing the tiles or painting over them. And since paint fades under UV rays, you’ll find yourself having to repaint clay tiles across the lifetime of your roof.
Voided Warranties
If your manufacturer warranty doesn’t approve the use of your specific sealant, then sealing roof tiles could instantly void your warranty. In Florida, that’s extremely dangerous. Your warranties protect your roof in case of a failure due to a manufacturing issue, and if that happens after you’ve voided the warranty with a sealant, then you’re going to be on the hook for an entirely new roof.
If you choose to use a tile sealant, make sure that it is specifically covered in your warranty. Otherwise, any attempt to protect your roof could actually leave it more vulnerable than before!
Sealants Fade
No roof tile sealant lasts forever. And in Florida, where our summer storms are a near daily occurrence, you can expect to be re-sealing your roof tiles every year or so to keep up with the water washing the sealant away.
On the one hand, this is a simple matter of re-applying the sealant to your tiles once it starts to fade. But with roofing, things are never that simple. Each time you or a professional gets on your roof, there is a risk that they could accidentally break a tile. If you consider how many times you’ll need to re-apply these sealants over the lifetime of your roof, it seems likely that this process will include more than a few repairs for cracked roofing tiles.
Get Help with Your Tile Roof
When you invest in a tile roofing system, you want it to last. But while following proper tile roof maintenance is essential, sealing roof tiles often just doesn’t make sense for most Florida homeowners. Instead, you’re better off repairing any issues as they appear and staying current on your annual roof inspections.
No matter what roofing support you need, PITCH Roofing is here to help. For any tile roofing services, you can call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form to get a free, no-obligation estimate. As dedicated Florida roofers with a proven track record of reliability, you can count on us to deliver Roofing Done Right every time!
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.
