Clay vs Concrete Roof Tiles
Both are allowed from 2.5:12, but they follow different standards: clay tile ASTM C1167 and concrete tile ASTM C1492.[1] In the two Westlake Royal reports we checked, clay tiles weigh 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed and concrete tiles 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed.[2, 3]
Clay tile
Pick clay tile if you want fired clay; in the report we checked, clay tiles topped out at a lower weight than the heaviest concrete profiles.[2, 3]
Concrete tile
Pick concrete tile if you want the widest choice of weights, including lightweight concrete profiles from 5.4 lb per square foot (Cedarlite 600).[3]
At a glance
| Feature | Clay tile | Concrete tile | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material standard in the code | ASTM C1167 | ASTM C1492 | [1] |
| Grade in the report we checked | Westlake Royal clay: ASTM C1167, Grade 1 (one profile Grade 3) | Westlake Royal concrete: ASTM C1492 | [2, 3] |
| Installed weight (one maker) | 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed | 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed | [2, 3] |
| Minimum slope | 2.5:12 (report); 2.5:12 (code) | 2.5:12 (report); 2.5:12 (code) | [1, 2, 3] |
Two different standards
The residential code sends clay tile to ASTM C1167 and concrete tile to ASTM C1492.[1] In Westlake Royal's clay report, the tiles meet ASTM C1167, Grade 1 (one profile Grade 3).[2]
Weight
Within one manufacturer, the ranges overlap. Westlake Royal lists its clay tiles at 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed and its concrete tiles at 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed, from 5.4 lb per square foot (Cedarlite 600) to standard flat profiles like 9.1 lb per square foot (Saxony 900 Slate).[2, 3] Check the exact profile, not just the material.
Slope
Both reports and the code set the same minimum, 2.5:12.[1, 2, 3]
Cost
We did not find a neutral, published installed-cost comparison for clay and concrete tile, so this page does not show one.
Common questions
Is concrete tile heavier than clay?
It depends on the profile. In Westlake Royal's reports, clay runs 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed and concrete 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed.[2, 3]
Which standards apply?
Clay ASTM C1167, concrete ASTM C1492.[1]
Sources
- California Building Standards Commission 2025 California Residential Code, Section R905 Requirements for Roof Coverings (effective January 1, 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
- IAPMO Uniform Evaluation Service (Florida Building Commission copy) ER-411, Westlake Royal Roofing USTile Clay Roof Tiles (Revised 08/27/2025, valid through 09/30/2027). Accessed November 3, 2026.
- IAPMO Uniform Evaluation Service (Florida Building Commission copy) ER-412, Westlake Royal Roofing Newpoint Concrete Roof Tiles (Revised 06/30/2026, valid through 07/31/2027). Accessed November 3, 2026.
We did not install or test these products. Everything on this page comes from the documents listed above. If a source changes, numbers here may be out of date until our next check. Spot an error? Email [email protected].