BuildCompared

Tile vs Shingle Roof

The biggest practical difference is weight. The concrete tiles in one Westlake Royal evaluation report weigh 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed, and its clay tiles 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed; CertainTeed lists its Landmark architectural shingle at 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet).[1, 2, 3] Tile also needs a slightly steeper roof: 2.5:12, against 2:12 for shingles.[4]

Sources checked How we compare

Tile (clay or concrete)

Tile roof: curved tiles laid in overlapping courses
Clay or concrete tiles in courses

Pick a tile roof if the roof structure is designed for the weight, the slope is at least 2.5:12, and you want clay or concrete.[1, 4]

Asphalt shingles

Architectural shingles: two laminated layers with tabs of different sizes
Laminated asphalt shingles

Pick a shingle roof if you want a much lighter roof, or the slope is between 2:12 and 2.5:12.[3, 4]

At a glance

Tile (clay or concrete)Asphalt shinglesSource
Installed weight (examples) Concrete: 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed; clay: 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed CertainTeed Landmark: 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet) [1, 2, 3]
Minimum slope in the code 2.5:12 2:12 [4]
Material standard in the code Clay ASTM C1167; concrete ASTM C1492 ASTM D3462 [4]
How products are approved (examples) Evaluation reports: Westlake Royal concrete (ASTM C1492) and clay (ASTM C1167, Grade 1 (one profile Grade 3)) Wind classes on the data sheet: GAF Timberline HDZ ASTM D3161 Class F and ASTM D7158 Class H [1, 2, 5]
Fastening Set by the evaluation report and the installation manual at least four per strip shingle, or two per individual shingle [4]

Weight

Westlake Royal's concrete tile report lists installed weights of 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed, from a lightweight profile at 5.4 lb per square foot (Cedarlite 600) to standard flat tiles such as 9.1 lb per square foot (Saxony 900 Slate).[1] Its clay tile report lists 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed.[2]

Shingle weights are usually given per square, which is 100 square feet. CertainTeed lists Landmark at 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet).[3, 6] Whether a house can carry tile is a question for the structure, not the roof covering, and is usually checked when switching from shingles.

Slope and standards

The residential code allows clay and concrete tile from 2.5:12, and asphalt shingles from 2:12.[4] Clay tile must meet ASTM C1167 and concrete tile ASTM C1492; shingles must meet ASTM D3462.[4]

Warranty

GAF's architectural shingles carry a Lifetime limited warranty with 10 years of non-prorated coverage and wind coverage up to 110 mph.[7] We have not yet read a tile manufacturer's full warranty, so this page does not compare tile warranties.

Cost

We did not find a neutral, published installed-cost comparison for tile and shingle roofs, so this page does not show one.

Common questions

How heavy is a tile roof?

In the Westlake Royal reports we checked, concrete tiles weigh 5.4 to 12.44 lb per square foot installed and clay tiles 5.8 to 10.7 lb per square foot installed.[1, 2]

What is the minimum slope for tile?

2.5:12 in the residential code.[4]

Which standards apply to roof tile?

Clay tile ASTM C1167, concrete tile ASTM C1492.[4]

Sources

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. CertainTeed Landmark Shingles Technical Data Sheet (copy hosted by RCABC) (03/23). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  4. California Building Standards Commission 2025 California Residential Code, Section R905 Requirements for Roof Coverings (effective January 1, 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  5. GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles spec sheet (RESGN467HDZ) (January 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  6. Owens Corning Supreme Shingles data sheet. Accessed November 3, 2026.
  7. GAF GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (RESWT160L) (Form RESWT160L-0426, for installations after January 1, 2025). 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].