How much does Roof Tiling cost?

As the most expensive roofing system, the costs for materials and installation are higher. You can save with concrete tiles, spending a minimum of $9,000 or opt for terracotta tiles starting at $18,000. A slate tile roof cost can be expected to run $30,000 or more.

Tile roofs add to the value and beauty of a home. They are especially eye-catching on high-styled, multi-storied roofs. Generally, a roof’s cost should reflect 2 to 4 per cent of the home’s value. Thus a more expensive home is most likely to earn a tile roof.

Maintenance: Whether you live in an arid desert or near the ocean, clay and concrete tiles can take it. They don’t rot from repeated rains and insects won’t gnaw on them. Homeowners with tiled roofs generally only need to replace is the gutters and flashing since tile roofs don’t need repairs at the rate of other roofing materials.

Cost savings: Summer electricity costs can be expected to go down with the addition of a tile roof. Tile creates natural air space and reduces the standard heat transfer from the ceiling to home. This natural insulation, in turn, reduces air conditioning costs. Also, tile roofs won’t burn, and you can feel safer and at ease. Insurance companies reward that with lower premiums.

Weight considerations: If you decide to use tile, keep in mind that it is heavy. You should have an independent building inspector verify that your roof is structurally sound before going ahead of roof tile installation. There are special bracing and reinforcements to strengthen the frame of your roof.

Environmental benefits: It’s rare in this day and age, but concrete and clay tile roofs are genuinely natural. There are no plastics or chemicals used in the manufacturing of these tiles.

Metal vs tile roof: When choosing tile, the main requirement is that there be some angle to the roof. If it is entirely flat, tile is not the right choice. Metal roofing has a natural ability to drain water even when flat. Of course, the other reason to choose metal roofing is that it is much less expensive.

Tile is a costly choice, but that’s due to the price of materials, the number of labour hours, and the skills needed to install it correctly. It’s also because of the longevity as a roofing material. Replacing slate roof tiles can be expensive and should be figured into the cost of the job. On the other hand, you may restore a damaged portion of slate, sparing the expense of an entire roof.

Types of tiles

Tiles can be made from slate, terracotta, or concrete. There are even new solar tiles on the market that could power your home.

• Slate tiles: Slate derives from natural quarried stone. Weighing as much as 60 kilograms per square metre, it is the most substantial and most expensive of the three primary materials. Terracotta is made from clay and is often a designer’s favourite as seen on many older homes.
• Concrete tiles: Concrete tiles are human-made from all-natural materials. Although they sound like the heaviest, they are the lightest of the three.
• Solar tiles: If you are investing in a new roof, just 375 solar tiles, about 10 per cent of a roof’s surface, could produce 5 kilowatts, saving an average of $115 per month. These could qualify for the Australian government’s small-scale renewable energy scheme that gives you a discount for installing solar. A solar roof specialist could tell you how to qualify.

Roof design

An intricate design with multiple small roofs, such as the ones you see in historical homes, will cost more in terms of labour and materials.

Roof pitch

The roof’s pitch does affect how many tiles you will need. A steep angle is a larger area than a gentle one. Multi-level ceilings with a variety of pitches will add another cost layer. Beyond that, the steeper pitch may drive up the cost of labour due to safety issues. Also, you don’t want to put tile on a flat roof. The ideal angle is 18 to 22 degrees.

Professional laying down roof tiles on a new home. | Source: We Do Roofs

Roof installation costs Labour costs are higher with slate, terracotta and concrete roofs due to the craftsmanship and higher number of hours required.

Slate tiles: Slate tiles will cost the most. With quarried stone, a square metre requires an outlay of $200 to $500. A 100-square-metre home would cost $22,000 to $55,000. Broadening the range of homes, one could expect to pay from $65,000 to $160,000 at completion.

Terracotta tiles: The terracotta roof tiles price is about $80 to $100 per square metre. Materials for the same 100-square-metre home could cost from $9,000 to $12,000 or more. Again, there will be more labour hours due to the craftsmanship required. For a range of homes, the final cost can be from $20,000 to $40,000.

Concrete tiles: For concrete, cement roof tiles price is $40 to $60 per square metre. Materials would cost $4,500 to $7,000 for that same 100-square-metre home. Labour costs will be less than with the other two products. The final price would be from $9,000 to $13,000 for typical homes.

Solar roofing tiles: Solar tiles cost more depending on the solar efficiency rating and the expected lifetime. For 30-year warranty solar roof tiles price, the cost is around $320 per square metre.

Corrugated metal roofing prices: Metal is one of the cheapest you can buy, starting around $115 per square metre. Today’s colour choices make it a fun opportunity for multi-level roofing.

Colorbond roof costs: If you’re opting for a non-tile choice, Colorbond roofs can cost from $18 to $36 per square metre.

In remote areas where tile may not be readily available, you may pay shipping costs. Since clay and concrete are heavy, this may add considerably to the upfront purchase of materials. Labour prices may be higher in areas where there is a higher demand for tile but is in short supply. Within Australia, Oneflare customers have received the following quotes to tile their roof:

Tip #1: To get an idea about the cost of different tile options, try getting a variety of quotes from area roof specialists. Ask for quotes on concrete, terracotta and slate if you aren’t sure which one you want.

Tip #2: You definitely should find out if your house is right for tile. Consider getting online quotes for an independent building inspector who can tell you if your home is sound enough for slate, terracotta or concrete roof weight.

It is essential to do your homework, talking to several experts before you hire one. Cutting tile is very complex and exacting art. Laying tiles on correctly is another art. You need an experienced tiler with an experienced crew. In addition to references, you want to view their handiwork in person if possible.

Tip #1: You should ask your roof tiler about ways to save on materials. You may want to choose an expensive tile that must be shipped, for instance, but you can save thousands on a perfectly beautiful tile that is sitting there in the roofer’s warehouse.

Tip #2: Make sure you know what structural repairs are needed and the costs of addressing them before you sign a contract start tiling your new roof.

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources