6 minWhen it comes to pitched roofs in Surrey, clay and concrete tiles dominate. Both are durable, fire-resistant, and available in various profiles and colours. But they're different materials with distinct characteristics that affect appearance, longevity, maintenance, and cost.
This guide compares clay and concrete tiles to help you understand what's on your roof and make informed decisions about repairs, matching replacements, or re-roofing.
Clay Tiles: The Traditional Choice
Clay tiles have been used on British roofs for centuries. Made from fired natural clay, they offer a traditional appearance that suits period properties particularly well.
Advantages of clay tiles:
Exceptional longevity - quality clay tiles can last 100+ years. They don't deteriorate in the way concrete does; they simply weather gracefully. Colour runs through the tile rather than being a surface coating, so they don't fade significantly over time. Their appearance often improves with weathering, developing character that new tiles lack. They're lighter than concrete equivalents, placing less load on the roof structure.
Disadvantages of clay tiles:
Higher cost - typically 2-3 times the price of equivalent concrete tiles. More brittle than concrete, so more prone to breakage from impact or foot traffic. Limited profile options compared to concrete - if you want a particular modern profile, it may only be available in concrete. Matching old clay tiles for repairs can be difficult as manufacturing processes have changed.
Concrete Tiles: The Modern Standard
Concrete tiles became popular from the 1950s onwards, now accounting for most UK roof installations. Made from sand, cement, and water, they're machine-produced in consistent profiles.
Advantages of concrete tiles:
Lower cost makes them economical for large roofs and new builds. Excellent durability - typically 50-70 years when properly installed. Wide range of profiles available, from flat modern styles to replicas of traditional designs. Easier to match for repairs as manufacturers maintain consistent product lines. More robust than clay, handling foot traffic better during installation and maintenance.
Disadvantages of concrete tiles:
Colour is surface-applied and fades over time, particularly on south-facing slopes. Surface can become porous as the tile ages, encouraging moss growth. Heavier than clay, requiring robust roof structure. Appearance rarely matches the richness of natural clay, particularly on period properties. They can develop a tired, washed-out appearance after 30-40 years even when functionally sound.
Identifying What's on Your Roof
Not sure whether your tiles are clay or concrete? Several features help identify them:
Look at the underside: If accessible (perhaps from the loft or a removed tile), the underside differs significantly. Clay tiles have a smooth, uniform appearance. Concrete tiles often show aggregate texture and may have manufacturer marks molded in.
Consider the colour: Clay tiles have colour throughout - any chips or scratches show the same colour as the surface. Concrete tiles have a surface coating - damage reveals the grey concrete beneath.
Assess the weathering: Old clay tiles develop a patinated appearance but retain colour intensity. Old concrete tiles often look faded or washed out, with the surface coating worn away in places.
Check the weight: For similar profiles, concrete tiles are noticeably heavier than clay. A single tile comparison makes the difference obvious.
Which is Better?
Neither is objectively "better" - the right choice depends on circumstances:
Choose clay when: You're working on a period property where appearance is paramount. You want maximum longevity and are willing to pay for it. You're matching existing clay tiles. The property is in a conservation area where materials may be specified. You value the natural variation and character clay develops over time.
Choose concrete when: Budget is a significant factor. You want a specific modern profile only available in concrete. You're roofing a modern property where absolute authenticity isn't required. You want the widest range of colour and style options. You're doing new construction where the slight cost saving multiplied across a large roof matters.
Mixing Materials
Mixing clay and concrete tiles on the same roof generally doesn't work well. The materials weather differently, and colour matching is nearly impossible. Even if tiles look similar when new, they'll diverge in appearance as they age.
For repairs, always use the same material as the existing roof. If you have clay tiles and need replacement, source clay tiles - using concrete as a cheaper alternative creates obvious patches that detract from your roof's appearance. See our tile matching guide for more detail.
Common Repair Issues
Both materials develop similar problems requiring similar repairs:
Broken tiles: Both clay and concrete tiles can break from impact, thermal stress, or degradation. Individual broken tiles can be replaced. See our tile replacement guide.
Ridge deterioration: Ridge and hip tiles are mortared in place on both roof types. This mortar fails over time regardless of tile material. See our ridge repair guide.
Moss accumulation: Both materials support moss growth, though concrete's more porous aged surface tends to accumulate more. Moss removal and treatment is similar for both.
Valley problems: Where valleys are formed with tiles rather than lead, both materials can develop problems. Lead valleys are preferable for both materials long-term.
When to Re-roof
Clay roofs rarely need complete replacement unless damaged - the tiles simply outlast everything else. Re-roofing decisions are usually driven by batten failure, felt deterioration, or structural issues rather than tile failure.
Concrete roofs may reach a point where widespread deterioration makes re-roofing sensible - typically after 50-60 years, sometimes earlier for lower-quality tiles. When concrete tiles have become porous, lost most of their colour, and are developing cracks throughout, replacement becomes more economical than ongoing repairs.
Get Professional Tile Assessment
LT Leadwork & Roofing works with both clay and concrete tile roofs throughout Surrey. We can assess your roof's condition, identify appropriate repair approaches, and source matching tiles for repairs.
For tile roof repairs or assessment, call us on 07566 234868. We serve Reigate, Epsom, Dorking, Banstead, Leatherhead, and surrounding areas.
For slate roofs, see our slate repair guide.
