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Concrete vs Clay Roof Tiles — An Honest Comparison
The visible difference at year one is small. The visible difference at year twenty is not — and that's what you're actually choosing between.
- Concrete: lowest cost per m²
- Clay: colour is fired through, not applied
- Concrete is heavier per m²
- Clay handmade profiles suit period roofs
- Both available as interlocking or plain
- We price both on the same quote
How they age
Concrete tiles carry a surface colour coat. It does its job, but over roughly 15–20 years it dulls and the tile takes on a greyer, chalkier look — particularly on north-facing slopes where moss gets a hold. Clay is fired, so the colour goes all the way through; a clay roof tends to mellow rather than fade, and a chipped edge shows the same colour as the face.
Cost and structure
Concrete is the value option and covers large areas quickly with interlocking profiles. It is also the heaviest common covering, which matters if the roof was originally slated. Clay plain tiles need roughly twice the number of tiles per square metre compared with large interlocking formats, which is why a plain clay roof costs more in both materials and labour.
- ▸Interlocking formats cover faster and cost less
- ▸Plain tiles need far more units per m²
- ▸Any covering change means checking rafter loading
Matching an existing roof
If you're only doing one elevation, matching matters. We take samples and photos on the survey and source the closest current profile, or reclaimed stock where the original is discontinued. Where a true match isn't available we'd usually rather do a complete elevation than leave a patch that shouts.
FAQs
Do clay tiles last longer?+
Well-laid clay commonly runs 60–100 years; concrete typically 50–60. In both cases fixings, battens and flashings usually need attention before the tiles do.
Will concrete tiles go mossy faster?+
They tend to, because the surface is more porous once the colour coat weathers. North-facing and tree-shaded slopes are worst.
Can I switch from concrete to clay?+
Often yes, and it usually reduces roof weight. We check batten gauge and rafter spacing as part of the quote.
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