Tile Roofing in Los Angeles County

Clay against concrete

Clay tile is fired earth. It keeps its color for decades and weighs less per square, which matters on an older frame. Concrete tile is molded and colored through, costs less up front, and gets heavier as it soaks up water.

Both sit on battens or straight on felt. Both rely on the layer under them to keep water out. The tile is a rain screen and a sun shield, not the waterproof layer.

Signs the underlayment failed

Look for stains along an interior wall after a long rain, felt crumbs in the gutter, and tile that slides out of line. In the attic, look for dark streaks on the sheathing where water tracked down.

A roofer can lift a few tiles in a valley and show you the felt. Dry felt bends. Dead felt cracks in the hand like a chip.

What a relay costs

A lift and relay in Los Angeles County runs roughly 9 to 15 dollars a square foot depending on pitch, the number of valleys, and how much tile breaks along the way. Plan on losing five to ten percent of the tile to breakage and budget for matching pieces.

Salvage yards across the county carry discontinued profiles. A roofer who knows tile knows where to find yours.