Concrete and clay tile roofs — 50+ year life, Texas-appropriate.

Tile roofing is a specialty material with specialty requirements. The tile itself — concrete or clay — is nearly permanent. What fails on tile roofs is usually the underlayment beneath, which has a 20-30 year life even though the tiles themselves are fine. A 'tile roof replacement' often means lifting the tiles, replacing the underlayment, and relaying the original tiles — not replacing the tiles themselves.

Clay tile (Mediterranean, Spanish) is premium — warm terracotta color, natural material, 75-100+ year life, high price tag. Concrete tile is the practical alternative — formed to mimic clay, slate, or shake, 50+ year life, significantly cheaper. Both weigh 600-1200 lbs per 100 sq ft, which means not every home's structure can accept tile without reinforcement.

Before installing tile on a previously-asphalt home, we always assess structural loading with a licensed engineer. Retrofit is possible but requires additional framing. For homes that originally had tile, replacement is straightforward.