Clay tile roofing in Long Beach, CA

Clay tile is the roof that defines Spanish Revival architecture in Southern California. Red and blended terracotta, set in rolling barrel courses with mortared ridges, gives a house a look no other material quite matches. Fired clay holds its color in strong sun and does not burn.

Installing it well takes care. Clay is heavy and can break if handled carelessly, and each course has to line up so the roof sheds water and looks right from the street. Our crews install new clay roofs and rebuild old ones on homes across Long Beach.

Two-piece barrel, one-piece S and blends

Two-piece barrel tile, with pan tiles below and cover tiles above, is the traditional Mission roof. It has deep shadow lines and a hand-made feel. One-piece S-tile combines the pan and cover in a single piece, which lowers labor and weight a little while keeping a similar look.

Color blends matter on clay. Many older Long Beach homes have a mix of reds, oranges and browns that has softened over time. We can mix new tile in a blend that sits well beside neighbors and fits the age of the house.

• Two-piece Mission barrel for an authentic historic look
• One-piece clay S-tile at a slightly lower cost
• Custom color blends to suit older homes
• Bird stops and eave closures in matching clay

Is your framing ready for clay tile?

Clay is one of the heaviest roof materials. A house that already has tile was built to carry it, but switching from shingles or shake to clay can mean the rafters need to be checked. We look at the framing in the attic and, if needed, recommend an engineer's review before committing to the material.

In earthquake country, fastening matters too. Every tile is attached to current practice so it stays in place when the ground moves, and ridge and hip tiles are set with fasteners, not only mortar.

How we install a new clay roof

We start with new decking where needed, then a high-temperature underlayment rated for tile, often in two layers. Battens go down where the system calls for them, along with new valley metal, wall flashing and pipe flashings sized for tile.

Tiles are laid from the eave up in straight courses, cut cleanly at hips and valleys, and closed off at the eaves with bird stops. Ridges and hips are finished with matching trim tile. The result should look like it belongs on the house.

Living with a clay tile roof

A clay roof needs little upkeep, but it is not a walking surface. Satellite installers, painters and solar crews can crack tiles by stepping in the wrong place. We can show anyone working on your roof where to step, or handle the work around the tile ourselves.

Keep a few spare tiles from the job in the garage. Clay colors and profiles change over the years, and having your own stock makes future repairs simple.

When to call about clay tile roofing

Clay tile on Long Beach's Spanish Revival homes

Bluff Park, Belmont Heights, Los Cerritos and Bixby Knolls hold many 1920s and 1930s Spanish Revival and Mediterranean homes with original or replacement clay tile. Some have been re-roofed with shingles or concrete over the decades, and owners now want to bring the clay back.

Inside Long Beach's historic districts, a visible change in roofing material can need extra review, and clay is often the expected choice on these homes. A re-roof also needs a city building permit. Near the ocean we use corrosion-resistant fasteners and flashings that last as long as the tile.