Aastro Roofing Company · Tile Roof SystemsTile Is the Finish. Performance Comes From the Entire Roof System.
Concrete and clay tile can both be excellent South Florida roof coverings. The real decision includes the tile profile, deck, underlayment and secondary water resistance, attachment, wind demand, flashings, structural capacity, repairability, architecture and ownership horizon.
Concrete + ClayTwo material families. One system-first decision.What is a tile roof system?
A tile roof system is the complete assembly that controls structural load, water, wind, drainage and long-term serviceability. The visible concrete or clay tile is only one component.
Concrete or clay tile determines profile, appearance and part of the attachment design.
Material family, tile dimensions, profile, interlock, color, surface finish, product approval and replacement availability all matter—but they do not replace the design of the layers beneath and around the tile.
Concrete and Clay Are Different—but Neither Wins Every Project.
Use the material as one decision layer. Product-specific weight, profile, approval, availability and installation requirements still control.
Broad profile and color flexibility
Concrete tile is manufactured from cementitious materials and is available in flat, low-profile, S, barrel and other architectural forms. Newpoint is Aastro’s lead concrete-tile product family for education.
- Wide range of regional profiles and finishes
- System design depends on exact product dimensions and approval
- Color-through, coated and blended appearances vary by product
- Repair matching depends on profile, batch, color and availability
Architectural authenticity and specialized profiles
Clay tile is fired ceramic roofing available in Spanish, Mission, interlocking and specialty configurations. US Tile is Aastro’s lead clay product family for education, while historic projects may require specialized matching.
- Natural clay, blends, glazes and surface treatments vary
- One-piece and two-piece systems create different detailing
- Historic matching can become a sourcing and geometry problem
- Handling, fastening and repair strategy remain product-specific
Compare the variables that actually change the project.
| Decision | Concrete Tile | Clay Tile | What Controls the Final Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Flat, slate-like, shake-like, S and barrel profiles are available. | Spanish, Mission, interlocking and specialty profiles are common. | Home architecture, HOA rules, sample approval and regional availability. |
| Weight | Varies materially by product and profile. | Varies materially by product and profile. | Use actual product data and verify structure; do not assume one material is always heavier. |
| Color | Integral pigments, coatings and blends vary by product. | Natural clay body, blends, glazes and finishes vary by product. | Actual regional samples and manufacturer documentation. |
| Attachment | Mechanical or approved adhesive systems may apply. | Mechanical or approved adhesive systems may apply. | Tile, deck, underlayment, slope, wind demand, approval and jurisdiction. |
| Repair Matching | Profile and color availability can change over time. | Historic or specialty clay can be especially difficult to match. | Existing profile, age, source, condition and surrounding tile workability. |
| Budget | Often selected for broad value and profile availability. | Can carry a premium for material, specialty profiles or historic work. | Exact quote, structure, labor, underlayment, attachment and accessory scope—not material label alone. |
The shape of the tile changes more than appearance.
Profile affects exposure, laps, water paths, fastening locations, cuts, flashing transitions, replacement matching and architectural character.
Flat / Slate-Like
Clean lines and tighter visual geometry. Exact headlap, side interlock and fastening remain product-specific.
S / Spanish
Curved profile creates pronounced water channels and a traditional Mediterranean appearance.
Mission / Two-Piece
Separate pan-and-cover geometry can require specialized layout, mortar or accessory details depending on the system.
Historic / Specialty
Custom, salvaged or discontinued profiles may turn repair into a sourcing, matching and preservation problem.
Eight controls should be defined before tile installation begins.
A proposal that names only the tile leaves too much of the roof undefined.
Water control and attachment must be designed together.
Florida tile installations are governed by the applicable code, product approvals, manufacturer requirements and the relevant high-wind tile installation provisions. A change in underlayment or attachment can change the approved assembly.
Nail, screw and adhesive are methods—not quality grades by themselves.
The correct method is the one that fits the approved tile, deck, underlayment, wind demand, roof zones and installation conditions.
Nails & Screws
Fastener type, diameter, embedment, corrosion resistance, placement and quantity must match the approved system. Screw attachment may be attractive for serviceability and control on some projects, but it is not automatically superior in every assembly.
Approved Roof-Tile Adhesive
Roof-tile adhesives can be part of approved high-wind systems. Product approval, bead placement, substrate, tile profile, curing and installation quality are critical. Generic foam is not a substitute for an approved adhesive design.
Underlayment & SWR
Underlayment protects the deck beneath tile. A secondary-water-resistance classification is a separate concept with specific criteria. Do not assume every peel-and-stick or sealed detail creates the same mitigation result.
Tile attachment gets more demanding where wind suction is highest.
Field, perimeter and corner zones do not carry the same wind demand. The exact zone geometry and required capacity are project-specific.
Weight does not replace attachment engineering.
Tile-roof wind resistance depends on roof geometry, mean roof height, exposure, design wind speed, tile dimensions, attachment, substrate and the applicable approval. Florida product records commonly analyze tile resistance in terms of overturning moment rather than treating tile mass as the answer.
- Verify the code edition and jurisdiction.
- Use the exact product approval or NOA applicable to the property.
- Match field, perimeter and corner requirements.
- Coordinate underlayment and tile attachment as one system.
The roof you install today determines the repairs you can make later.
Tile selection should account for future matching, access, underlayment service, ownership plans and the cost of opening the system.
A replaceable tile does not always mean a simple repair.
A broken piece can expose a deeper problem involving underlayment, flashing, deck, fasteners or a water path. Older surrounding tiles may also break while accessing the repair.
- Profile and color matching
- Discontinued or regional products
- Underlayment condition beneath the tile
- Foot-traffic and brittleness risk
- Access to fasteners or adhesive-set areas
Choose for the period you expect to own and maintain the property.
A homeowner planning a long hold may weight architecture, matching, system longevity and future repairability differently from someone preparing a near-term sale or insurance-driven replacement.
Prioritize code-compliant scope, marketability, budget and clean documentation without overbuilding for preferences you may never use.
Weight profile availability, underlayment strategy, flashings, attachment, maintenance and long-term appearance more heavily.
Architecture and matching may justify specialized clay, custom details and preservation planning beyond lowest initial cost.
Real projects show why material, structure and detailing must be evaluated together.
These images are verified Aastro project media used as field proof—not generic manufacturer imagery.
Start with the property and problem—not the tile brochure.
Answer seven questions. This routes you to the right Aastro authority or service path; it does not diagnose the roof, approve a product or determine insurance coverage.
Compare these twelve controls—not just price per square.
Direct answers before you choose concrete or clay.
What is the difference between a tile roof and a tile roof system?
The tile is the visible roof covering. The roof system also includes the deck or substrate, underlayment or secondary water-resistance strategy, attachment, flashings, valleys, penetrations, ventilation or thermal details where applicable, roof edges, drainage, and the approved installation requirements for the property.
Is concrete tile better than clay tile in South Florida?
Neither material is universally better. Concrete and clay differ in appearance, profiles, manufacturing, availability, cost, color behavior, repair matching, product approvals and project-specific weight. The better choice is the system that fits the structure, architecture, wind design, ownership plan and budget.
Are concrete and clay tile installed the same way?
Not automatically. Mechanical fasteners, screws, nails, clips, approved roof-tile adhesives and other details depend on the exact tile, deck, underlayment, slope, wind pressures, product approval, jurisdiction and manufacturer instructions. The proposed assembly must be reviewed as a complete system.
Does a heavier tile automatically perform better in a hurricane?
No. Wind performance is not determined by tile weight alone. Tile geometry, roof height, exposure, roof zones, attachment, underlayment, deck, edge conditions, approvals and installation details all matter.
What is secondary water resistance on a tile roof?
Secondary water resistance is a separate water-control concept beneath the roof covering. Some sealed-deck or self-adhered configurations may qualify for wind-mitigation classifications when the required criteria are met. Underlayment and insurance mitigation classifications should not be treated as interchangeable terms.
Can tile be installed with foam adhesive instead of fasteners?
Some approved tile systems use roof-tile adhesives, while others use mechanical attachment or combinations of approved methods. Adhesive type, placement, tile profile, substrate, underlayment and calculated wind demand all control. Foam is not a universal substitute for a tested attachment design.
Is screw attachment always better than nail attachment?
No single attachment method is automatically best for every roof. Screw, nail, clip and adhesive systems have different tested capacities, installation requirements, substrates, maintenance considerations and costs. The correct choice must satisfy the project-specific approved assembly and wind demand.
Why does the underlayment matter if the tile is durable?
Tile sheds most weather, but the water-control layer beneath it is critical when water gets past the covering, when tiles are displaced, and at laps, valleys, penetrations and transitions. Underlayment selection, preparation and attachment are therefore major system decisions.
Can a shingle roof be converted to tile?
Sometimes, but structural capacity must be evaluated because a tile assembly can change dead load and detailing requirements. Deck, framing, slope, permitted design, wind demand and the exact product must be reviewed before treating a conversion as a material swap.
Why are tile repairs sometimes difficult on older roofs?
Repairability can be limited by brittle surrounding tiles, discontinued profiles or colors, prior repairs, underlayment deterioration, deck conditions, access, attachment and the risk of damaging adjacent material while opening the roof.
Does a new tile roof automatically lower insurance premiums?
No. A new permitted roof and documented mitigation features may help with underwriting or available credits, but the carrier, policy, inspection, roof geometry, deck attachment, secondary water resistance, opening protection and other features control the final insurance result.
What should a tile roof proposal identify?
A strong proposal should define tile manufacturer and profile, underlayment or water-control system, attachment method, flashing metals, deck and concealed-condition procedures, ventilation or thermal details where applicable, permit and inspection responsibilities, product approvals, warranty terms, exclusions and cleanup.
Which tile manufacturers does Aastro work with?
Aastro’s tile education currently gives Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions a lead product position, including Newpoint concrete tile and US Tile clay tile. Other approved products may be considered when they fit the project, availability, architecture, approvals and warranty requirements.
Which Florida Building Code edition controls right now?
As of August 2026, the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code remains effective. Florida’s 9th Edition (2026) is in Florida’s 2026 adoption process; verify the effective date and adopted edition before permitting. Reverify the current code edition and applicable product approvals for every permitted project.
Verify current code and product information at permitting and before material ordering.
This website uses current manufacturer and Florida regulatory sources, but approvals, code editions, products and regional availability can change.
website technical boundary: the currently effective Florida Building Code, local amendments, HVHZ provisions, manufacturer instructions, product approvals/NOAs, permit documents and project-specific engineering control over general website education.