Tile Roofing in Los Angeles, CA

Tile roofing in Los Angeles is as much about what is under the tile as the tile itself. If you are comparing it with other coverings, the roofing materials overview shows how it stacks up, and our guides to metal roofing and standing seam metal roofing cover the lighter alternatives.

Which tile profile do you have: barrel, S-tile or flat?

Profile decides how a roof is repaired, matched and priced. Barrel tile, also called Spanish or mission tile, is the curved half-pipe look on older Spanish Revival homes. S-tile is a single piece that forms a wave, common on tract homes. Flat or slate-look tile sits more like shingle.

Our post on Spanish tile roof care covers upkeep between jobs.

What does tile roof replacement actually involve?

Most tile projects in Los Angeles are not a full tile swap. They are a renewal of the underlayment, using the tile you already have where it is sound.

The written scope for a tile re-lay names these lines:

• Lifting, stacking and resetting sound tile, with a stated breakage allowance
• New underlayment and renewed flashing at walls, valleys and penetrations
• Deck repair where boards are soft, priced per sheet
• Re-bedded ridge and hip caps
• Permit responsibility and a clean-up of the yard and gutters

1. Inspect from attic and roof. We check framing, water marks, flashing and the condition of the tile, with photos.
2. Count and test the tile. Tile that snaps when lifted tells us whether reuse is realistic.
3. Lift and stack. Tile comes off in sections and is stacked on the roof or hauled down, never dropped.
4. Replace the underlayment. The deck is repaired, flashing renewed and a new barrier laid.
5. Reset the tile. Sound pieces go back in their pattern, with new tile or ridge pieces where needed.
6. Set ridge and hip tile. Caps are re-bedded and checked, then the roof is cleaned.

Tile does not go on a deck that is soft or unsound. If the roof is badly worn, the answer can be a full replacement, and for some owners that means a different covering, as in our tile to shingle conversion page.

When does a tile roof need new underlayment?

Underlayment ages out in the dark, so the signs are indirect. Watch for:

• Ceiling stains after rain with no broken tile in sight
• Slipped, cracked or missing tile after wind
• Crumbling mortar at ridge and hip caps
• Stained or dark rafters and decking in the attic
• A roof with its original underlayment past its working life

If a tile or two is cracked, a spot fix may do. See tile roof repair for that, and our post on cracked roof tiles helps you decide.

How do clay and concrete tile age differently?

Clay tile is fired, stable and generally the longer-lived of the two, which is why a 1920s Spanish Revival roof can still have its original tile. Concrete tile is more porous. Over the years it can fade, grow a chalky white deposit called efflorescence and, depending on the product, need resealing or repainting. None of that is a leak by itself, but it changes how the roof looks next to new pieces mixed in.

Both come in two main forms. Mission or barrel tile is a pan with a separate cover. S-tile is a single piece. Either way, the tile is only half the roof, and the underlayment beneath it sets the calendar. Lifespans run in rough ranges, and the manufacturer's rated life governs.

Is your structure ready for clay or concrete tile?

Tile is heavy, and the roof under it was framed for that load. Rafters that have sagged, sheathing that has soaked, or repairs made with the wrong lumber change the picture. We look from the attic first, because sag and past water damage show up there.

Moving from lighter shingle to tile is a different question. It can call for a structural check and sometimes added framing, and the building department may want the engineer's note on the permit. Weight varies by product and profile, so the answer can differ from one tile to the next. We tell you what we see and price any framing separately.

What affects the price of a tile roof?

Tile roofs cost more than most coverings because the work is slower and the materials heavier. The factors:

• Tile type, clay or concrete, and whether the existing tile can be reused
• Roof size, pitch and complexity, including hips, valleys and towers
• Underlayment type and any deck or framing repair
• Breakage allowance and the cost of matching old tile
• Access, hand-carry and how much tile has to be hauled

We write the price down after we see the roof. If you get two quotes, check that both include the same breakage allowance and the same underlayment.

What permits and rules apply to tile roofing in Los Angeles?

Expect a permit for a tile re-roof in the City of Los Angeles. LADBS offers a certificate-of-compliance route for eligible single-family homes, and an Express Permit path with no plan check for some re-roofs. Cities such as San Fernando run re-roof permits through their own building division rather than LADBS. Have the contract say who is responsible for it.

Clay and concrete tile are generally noncombustible, but Class A depends on the listed assembly, including the underlayment. Ask for that assembly in writing. For re-roofs covering more than half the roof, a cool-rated product may be required, and many tiles are listed. See cool roofing.

Why Clear Shield for tile roofing in Los Angeles

Reviewers describe pictures and measurements before quoting and drone photos sent while work is under way. One Van Nuys customer says the drone photos helped because they were not about to climb up there themselves. That matters on a tile roof you cannot safely walk.

We cover tile neighborhoods across the area, including Ladera Heights, Burbank, View Park-Windsor Hills and Cerritos.