Tile Roof Cost: Clay vs Concrete, and What the Weight Adds

A tile roof is one of the more expensive roofs to install, and the sources put a whole-roof job anywhere from about $8,000 to well over $50,000. Fixr reports a national average range of $19,000 to $35,000 for a 1,500-square-foot roof, and says most people pay around $27,000 for an S-shaped clay tile roof with moderate reinforcement, sealant and inspection (page updated January 31, 2025) ¹. This Old House reports $8,202 to $24,645, with an average of $16,000 (updated April 10, 2026) ². Modernize reports an average of about $26,900 for a 2,000-square-foot roof, within a range of $14,000 to $55,000 (updated August 12, 2026) ³.

The type of tile, the roof's shape and whether the frame needs reinforcing for the extra weight explain most of the gap between those figures. For every roofing material, see the roof replacement cost guide.

Clay vs concrete: installed cost per square foot

Fixr gives tile prices for materials only, before labor: concrete $4 to $20, clay $5 to $15, composite $4 to $16 and slate $7 to $30 per square foot, with installed tile roofs overall at $7 to $41 per square foot ¹. In This Old House's separate whole-roof comparison, using Homewyse data, a 2,000-square-foot clay tile roof comes to $44,423, or $22.21 per square foot ⁴.

Concrete tile starts slightly lower than clay in This Old House's installed table ², though the sources' ranges overlap heavily. This Old House says it can last up to 50 years if well maintained ². Clay tile costs more; This Old House says it can last 100 years when properly installed ², and Fixr gives about 100 years as well ¹. Composite tiles are lighter than natural tile, Modernize says ³, and slate sits at the top of the price range. Those lifespans are the publishers' statements, not a promise for any one roof.

Why tile's weight matters

Tile is heavy. Modernize says concrete tile's weight often requires additional roof support, and that heavier tiles such as clay and slate might need extra support and high-performance underlayment ³. This Old House says that putting slate or concrete on a roof built for lighter material means reinforcing parts of the roof, which increases cost ². Fixr prices structural reinforcement at $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the home ¹.

Whether a house needs that work depends on its framing, so it is a question for the roofer (and, where the roofer recommends it, a structural engineer) before you sign. A quote for switching from shingles to tile that does not address the frame is incomplete.

Other costs in a tile roof quote

• Labor. Fixr reports $4 to $16 per square foot, or $6,000 to $24,000 for a 1,500-square-foot roof ¹. Tile is set piece by piece, and some styles take longer than others: This Old House says Spanish tiles need a mortar-set installation and longer install times ².
• Removing the old roof. Fixr lists $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot ¹; This Old House lists $1 to $6 per square foot plus a dumpster ².
• Underlayment. Fixr and This Old House both list $0.50 to $2 per square foot ¹². See roof underlayment explained.
• Tile style. This Old House's style table runs from $3 to $5 per square foot for interlocking tile to $10 to $13 for barrel tile ².

Where tile is common

Fixr says Spanish-style clay tile is most common in southern states, and that tile is favored in hot climates ¹. Modernize calls clay a popular choice in the Southwest and other warm regions ³. This Old House says tile performs well in warm, rainy climates but not where it freezes and thaws ². In colder regions, ask the roofer how the specific tile is rated for freeze-thaw before choosing it.

Comparing tile quotes

Ask each roofer to name the tile maker and profile, whether the price is for clay or concrete, what underlayment goes beneath it, whether removal of the old roof is included, and what, if anything, they propose for the roof frame. Our guide on how to choose a roofing contractor covers what to ask the company, and types of roofing materials compares tile with other roofs. When you are ready, you can compare quotes from roofing companies near you.

About these figures

• ¹ Reported: Fixr tile figures (national average range $19,000 to $35,000 and $27,000 average for 1,500 square feet), materials-only ranges by tile type, installed range of $7 to $41 per square foot, reinforcement, labor, removal and underlayment ranges, clay lifespan, regions; page updated January 31, 2025, checked November 11, 2026.
• ² Reported: This Old House tile range ($8,202 to $24,645, average $16,000), installed ranges by tile type, removal, underlayment and style figures, lifespan, weight and climate statements; page updated April 10, 2026, checked November 11, 2026.
• ³ Reported: Modernize installed ranges by tile type, the 2,000-square-foot average of about $26,900 and range of $14,000 to $55,000, weight and region statements; page updated August 12, 2026, checked November 11, 2026.
• ⁴ Reported: This Old House (Homewyse data) clay tile figure of $44,423 and $22.21 per square foot for a 2,000-square-foot roof; page updated October 7, 2026, checked November 11, 2026.