Tile Roofs Dedicated to Our Customers, Employees
& Community’s Peace of Mind

Tile Roof Repair & Installation in Phoenix & Tucson

Lyons Roofing is your Tile Roofing Expert in Southern Arizona

Our roof experts at Lyons Roofing take every step to create beautiful, durable roofing systems for our clients. Tile roofs are among the most aesthetically beautiful types of pitched roofing systems. They do, however, require special installation and maintenance, as tile is not waterproof. Lyons Roofing can answer all of your questions about tile roofing systems and provide you with a free in-home price estimate for installation or repair.

Contact our roofing company today at (520) 447-2522 receive a complimentary estimate for tile roof repair or installation. We serve most of Southern Arizona from locations in Phoenix and Tucson.

What You Need to Know About Your Tile Roof System

Tile Roofing Dissection​Tile roofing is beautiful, but not waterproof. Tile roofing is a watershed and a decorative roof covering. The actual waterproofing is provided by the underlayment or felt paper installed underneath the tile. Some felt is organic, but all deteriorate over time, especially in the "Arizona sun". This usually takes 12 to 20 years, depending on several factors, and then the felt must be removed and replaced (R&R).

Sooner or later all tile roofs will undergo a tile R&R. In the mid to late 1980’s, there was a glut of building in the metro Phoenix area and an abundance of substandard roofing felt imported from other countries was used as a tile roof underlayment for these roofs, both on commercial and residential roofing applications in Phoenix.

As a result, when a 12 to 15-year-old tile roof starts to leak, the tile has likely outlived the underlayment and is often a much bigger problem than is first thought. Often, it is a telltale sign that the felt is deteriorated and ruined. Delaying the complete replacement of the felt beneath the tile will only result in ongoing frustration for the occupants, not to mention the damage to the interior contents of the building.

Is There a Shortage of Roof Tiles?

When the economy hit the skids in 2008, several tile manufacturers went out of business. With them went their proprietary colors and molds. When conducting a tile R&R, there is a reasonable expectation that some tiles—on average, about 10%—will break during the process of removing old tile from the roof. The problem is that if the manufacturer of that tile is out of business, it will be difficult to find replacement tiles that will match the tile on your roof in both color and fit.

This problem is only getting worse as more homeowners around the United States are slowly but surely depleting the yard stock that distributers and roofers have stashed in anticipation of this problem. Additionally, because of supply and demand, the price of these coveted tiles is getting increasingly expensive.

What Should I Do?

We’ve drafted “good, better, and best” options in reaction to this problem. As you read, please keep in mind that the waterproofing component of a tile roof system is the underlayment beneath the tile. Tile is only the water shedding component of a roofing system. These options are about aesthetics. Also, don’t let this scare you—tile R&R’s are labor intensive. (We have to pay extra for all that neat stacking of tiles, versus tossing into a dumpster). So with new tile replacement, you trade material costs for labor costs. The prices differences are surprisingly closer than you might think. Be sure to ask your estimator for options.

Your options include the following:

  • Good Option: We provide you with a watertight roofing system with a match that is “as close as we can get.” If the shape of the mold is the same but the color is slightly different, we can blend the replacement tile or “pepper” it in. If the mold is different and it cannot lay with the other tile, we can create a patch using the replacement pieces—if possible, in an area that is not visual from the street.
  • Better Option: We provide you with a watertight roofing system where the front is one color and the back is another. However, bear in mind that this will cost more than simply purchasing enough tiles to cover for breakage.
  • Best Option: We provide you with a watertight roofing system using all new tiles. While this option is the most expensive, it is also the most visually appealing and ensures that you will have access to new replacement tiles for repairs in the future. Additionally, you also get a brand new manufacturer’s warranty on your new product purchase.

Clay Roofing Tile

There is a wide variety of tile in many styles, finishes, and colors. Clay tile is prepared by baking clay and molding it. Density is determined by the elements (time and temperature) that it is heated. Tiles may be glazed and also may have surface texture treatments applied. Installation methods differ and are determined based on the type of tile being installed; that is, whether it is two piece, one piece, interlocking or flat.

Clay tile is most often thought of in the traditional "S" or "Spanish" style but it can now be made in several other patterns as well. Tile is a very resilient material and is able to withstand some of the harshest elements such as hail, wind, and fire.

The one drawback to tile has been its weight; they have typically been very heavy and require certain structural standards for the frame and decking of the roof. However, many manufacturers are offering an increasingly larger option of light-weight tile, reducing the need for additional structural work. Tile, in general, has a great life expectancy, with a duration of up to 40 or 50 years. Tile roofs offer one of the longest warranties in the roofing industry.

Sand-Cast TileSand-Cast Roofing Tile

Sandcast tile is a unique tile made from all natural materials, mostly clay and sand. Its most appealing quality is the uniqueness that lies in the color variances which vary from batch to batch. Sandcast tiles can be machine made or handmade. The look tends to be rustic and will go well with many architectural styles, especially Southwestern and Mediterranean-style homes. The only downfall with a sandcast roof is that it cannot be walked on because of the delicate nature of the tiles.

Concrete Roofing Tile

Concrete tile is made of Portland cement, sand, and water, then set in molds under high pressure. Color may be added to the surface of a tile or dispersed throughout (color through). A special texture may be added in surface treatment. In addition, each tile type may have separate field, ridge, hip, gable and terminal tiles that are various shapes.

Concrete tile has essentially all of the upsides of clay tile, but with the added advantage of being available in an even greater number of styles including traditional clay, slate, and even wood shake! It is ideal for communities with appearance codes because it has such a wide range of appearance options.

Concrete & Clay Tile Style Options

  • S Tile

    S tile roofS tileReminiscent of the Spanish roofs found on early missions in the Southwest, dramatically capturing the beautiful, rustic appearance of the Old World.

  • Flat or Slate Tile

    Flat tile roofFlat tileRepresentative of the roof styles found in England, northern Europe, and the Eastern Seaboard. Versatile enough to accentuate any architectural style.

  • Shake Tile

    Shale tileAffordable, authentic replication of hand-split cedar shake roof.

The websites below offer great visuals of various styles and color of tile. Please contact us to help you determine which tiles are the best options for your project.

Lyons Roofing installs roof tiles from these trusted brands:

Also visit ARCA and Tile Roofing Institute for more information about tile roofs.

Receive a Free Price Estimate When You Call Our Phoenix Roofer

The award-winning team at Lyons Roofing emphasizes excellence, loyalty, and professionalism. We also emphasize safety, with a full-time safety officer on staff to ensure compliance and care. Our roofing company is licensed, bonded, and insured for your peace of mind. Learn more about the steps we take to raise the industry standard in our community and to provide the best customer service for our valued commercial and residential clients!

Contact Lyons Roofing at (520) 447-2522 in Tucson, or (602) 497-0717 for Phoenix, to request a free price quote for tile roof installation or repair.

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Why Choose Us?

  • BBB Ethics Award Winner

    It is very important that we generate a high level of trust amongst not only our employees but our customers and community as well. We were recognized for this by the Better Business Bureau.

  • In Top 5% of Safest Companies

    We are one of the few roofing companies in Arizona that has a full-time Safety Director who continually monitors the companies’ compliance with all State and Federal safety requirements.

  • Highly Trained & Certified Staff

    We’re an industry leader with a highly trained and experienced team dedicated to delivering quality craftsmanship and continually improving our services and raising our standards.

  • 30+ Years of Industry Experience

    Our experience ensures that we'll know how to handle any obstacle that's thrown our way. You can rest assured that we've seen it all, and we'll be able to alleviate any roofing issue your home may encounter.

Built to Last

Our Customer Testimonials Say It All
    The foreman Art was fantastic.

    “Love it. Great job. Great people. The foreman Art was fantastic. Would highly recommend them.”

    - Mike M.
    They were outstanding.

    “The work went very well, we hadn't had any problems. They were outstanding.”

    - Satisfied Customer
    It is so refreshing to do business with honest people!

    “When the time comes, that I need to replace my roof, it will be with Lyons!”

    - Nancy C.
    Lyons Roofing warranty protects my investment.

    “The Tucson roofing team is experienced, professional, efficient, and friendly.”

    - Su P.
    I am so glad I chose Lyons Roofing.

    “I was very impressed with how professional Lyons Roofing's employees are.”

    - Anita S.
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