Materials & Shingles · FAQ

Does concrete or clay tile roofing work in Illinois?

It works, but it’s rare for a reason. Tile roofs handle Madison County weather fine — they’re impact-resistant, fire-resistant, and last 50+ years. The problems are weight (a tile roof loads 900 to 1,100 pounds per 100 square feet versus 250 for asphalt) and cost (roughly 4x asphalt installed).

Almost no Illinois home was framed to carry tile load, which means a tile installation requires structural engineering and often truss reinforcement. Trill has done two tile installations in 12 years. Both were Mediterranean-style new builds where the framing was spec’d for tile up front. For most homes, the cost and structural change make tile a poor fit. Standing-seam metal delivers similar lifespan without the weight problem.