Clay roofing tile is a good choice for homes with a southwestern, Italian, or Spanish Mission design, or even for homes with a modern, clean look.
Advantages:
- expected lifespan is greater than the lifespan of the material on which the roofing rests
- won’t rot or burn
- can’t be harmed by insects
- requires little maintenance
- comes in a variety of colors, types, styles and brands
Disadvantages:
- can be very heavy – so heavy that extra roof support can be required
- can fade over time (although most modern tile is kiln-fired to make the color permanent)
- very fragile – walking on them can break them; more difficult to perform maintenance like painting or cleaning gutters & fireplaces
- Initial installation can be more complicated than other roofing materials
- can cost more than other roofing materials