Tile Roofing in Los Angeles

The roof that defines Los Angeles architecture

Drive through any LA neighborhood and you will see tile roofs everywhere. Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean, Mission Revival, and countless mid-century homes were all built with tile. It suits the climate, it looks right, and when properly installed it lasts 50 years or more.

We specialize in tile roofing for LA homes. Repair, replacement, and new installation.

Tile types we work with

Clay tile — The original. Handmade or machine-formed, in barrel, flat, or S-shaped profiles. Clay tile ages beautifully, is fireproof, and can last 75-100 years in LA’s dry climate.

Concrete tile — Looks similar to clay but costs less. Available in more colors and profiles. Good lifespan of 40-50 years. Heavier than clay, so structural support matters.

Spanish tile (barrel tile) — The curved, half-cylinder profile that defines LA’s architectural character. We repair existing Spanish tile roofs and install new ones using materials that match the neighborhood.

Flat tile — Slate-look or smooth profiles for a more contemporary take on tile roofing. Works well on modern and transitional-style homes.

Tile repair

Tile itself is durable, but the underlayment beneath it is not. Most tile roof problems are actually underlayment failures. The tiles look fine from the ground, but water is getting through cracked felt paper underneath.

Common tile roof repairs:

• Cracked or broken tiles — We keep an inventory of common tile profiles and can usually match your existing tiles. When exact matches are not available, we source replacements from specialty suppliers.
• Underlayment replacement — Tiles are lifted, old underlayment removed, new synthetic underlayment installed, tiles reinstalled. This is a big job but it extends the roof’s life by decades.
• Flashing repair — Tile roofs have more flashing details than shingle roofs. Every valley, hip, and ridge needs proper metal work.
• Ridge and hip cap repair — Mortar-set ridge caps crack and fall off over time. We reset or replace them.

Tile replacement

When a tile roof needs full replacement, here is what is involved:

1. All tiles removed carefully (we salvage usable tiles when possible)
2. Old underlayment stripped
3. Decking inspected and repaired
4. New synthetic underlayment and ice/water shield installed
5. Battens installed (tile needs a batten system for proper drainage)
6. New tiles installed with proper fastening
7. All flashing, ridge caps, and hip caps installed and sealed

Why tile costs more (and why it is worth it)

Tile roofing costs more than asphalt upfront, typically $15,000 to $40,000 for a residential replacement. The materials are heavier, installation takes more labor, and the flashing details are more complex.

But tile lasts twice as long (or more), requires minimal maintenance, and adds real resale value to LA homes where tile is the expected roofing material. In neighborhoods with Spanish or Mediterranean architecture, tile is not optional. It is what the house was designed for.