Tile roofs are some of the most durable, beautiful, and long-lasting roofing systems you can put on a home. But over the years, I’ve noticed one thing: Texas homeowners hear a lot of misinformation about tile roofing — especially in places like Dallas, Plano, Southlake, and Frisco.
As the owner of Shepherd Tile Roofing, I’ve worked with clay, concrete, and composite tile systems for years, and I can tell you firsthand: most of the worries people have about tile roofs simply aren’t true.
Let’s break down the five most common tile roof myths I hear on the job — and the real facts you need to know about tile roof myths.
Tile Roof Myth #1: Tile Roofs Are Too Heavy for Texas Homes
Understanding the truth behind tile roof myths is essential for homeowners.
This is one of the most common tile roof myths — and it’s completely false.
The Truth:
Modern Texas homes are built with roof structures that can easily support clay or concrete tile. Tile roofing has been used for centuries around the world, and today’s homes are designed with strong framing that can carry the additional load.
When tile roofs DO require reinforcement:
- Very old homes (pre-1980s)
- Homes originally designed for lightweight shingles
- Custom or unusual roof structures
But in most cases, tile is perfectly safe and meets all building code requirements.
Tile Roof Myth #2: Tile Roofs Are Extremely Expensive to Maintain
Some homeowners think tile roofs require constant upkeep or costly repairs. Not true.
The Truth:
Tile roofs actually require less maintenance than shingle roofs — but the maintenance they do need is different.
Tile itself rarely fails. The real maintenance involves:
- Replacing cracked tiles
- Cleaning valleys
- Inspecting flashings
- Protecting underlayment
Most repairs are minor and inexpensive when handled early.
The biggest mistake homeowners make?
Skipping routine inspections.
That’s what leads to bigger problems, not the tile itself.
Tile Roof Myth #3: Tile Roofs Don’t Work Well in Hail-Prone Areas
Another misconception is that tile roofs can’t handle hail. Dallas homeowners hear this one all the time.
The Truth:
Tile roofs perform exceptionally well in hail compared to many other roofing systems.
Clay and concrete tile are:
- Dense
- Impact-resistant
- Harder for hail to fracture
- Less affected by granule loss (because there aren’t any)
Even if a tile cracks, it’s usually:
- Isolated
- Easy to replace
- Far less damaging than hail impact on shingles
In fact, many tile systems are specifically tested for impact resistance, making them ideal for Texas storms.
Tile Roof Myth #4: Tile Roofs Last Forever Without Any Maintenance
I hear this all the time: “Tile roofs last 100 years. Why would I ever need maintenance?”
The Truth:
Tile roofs can last 50–100+ years — but the underlayment won’t.
Underlayment in Texas typically lasts:
- 12–20 years for felt
- 25–30+ years for high-temp synthetic
Without proper maintenance:
- Underlayment deteriorates
- Flashings rust or fail
- Valleys clog
- Tiles shift
Your tile may look perfect from the street, but leaks come from the layers beneath — not the tile itself.
Tile Roof Myth #5: Tile Roof Repairs Are Complicated and Costly
Tile roof repair has a reputation for being overly complicated or expensive — but that’s only true when inexperienced roofers do the work.
The Truth:
With the right tools and training, most tile repairs are straightforward:
- Replace cracked tiles
- Reset slipped tiles
- Repair valley or flashing sections
- Replace small underlayment areas
Tile repair becomes expensive only when:
- The wrong materials are used
- The roofer breaks more tiles walking on the roof
- The roofer doesn’t specialize in tile roofs
- Underlayment failure is widespread
At Shepherd Tile Roofing, our crew handles tile daily — not once or twice a year — which means faster, cleaner, and more accurate repairs.
Why Tile Roofing Performs So Well in Texas
Here’s why tile continues to be one of the best roofing materials for Texas homeowners:
✔️ Superior heat resistance
Tile naturally reflects sunlight better than shingles.
✔️ Long-term durability
Clay and concrete can outlast multiple shingle roofs.
✔️ Low maintenance
Tiles rarely fail — underlayment is the only real concern.
✔️ Beautiful, timeless look
Especially in higher-end neighborhoods.
✔️ Fire, rot, and insect resistance
Tile is one of the safest roofing materials available.
The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance confirms that tile roofs rarely fail due to the tile — the underlayment and flashing require the majority of maintenance.
Why Dallas Homeowners Choose Shepherd Tile Roofing
Tile roofing isn’t a side job for us — it’s what we specialize in.
What homeowners get when hiring us:
- Tile-specific tools and training
- Beautiful tile matching (even discontinued profiles)
- High-temp synthetic underlayment options
- Clean tile removal and reinstallation
- Honest inspections with photo documentation
- Fast, reliable repair turnaround
- Long-term solutions — not temporary patches
Whether you need a repair, a maintenance plan, or a full underlayment replacement, we guide you every step of the way.