Tile Roofing in Santa Barbara & Southern California

Clay or concrete, and which profile

Profiles fall into three groups: two-piece barrel (separate pan and cover tiles, the classic Santa Barbara look), one-piece S-tile, and flat tile. The project videos further down this page include two-piece tile roofs installed in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Choosing among them is partly taste and partly the house: its style, the roof’s slope and what the frame can carry.

Beyond the profile, tile comes in many blends, colors and finishes, and matching an existing roof or the style of the street is part of the decision. That is why NEMA’s roofers are always available to give you wholly genuine and trustworthy advice. That includes advice on choosing a tile roof design, drawing on our decades of experience.

Rules that apply to a tile roof in California

• Minimum slope. The California Building Code (2025 edition, section 1507.3.2) allows clay and concrete tile only on roofs with a slope of at least 2 1/2 inches per foot. Lower sections need a different covering.
• Fire zones. In fire hazard severity zones the roof assembly must be Class A. Tile is widely used in Class A assemblies, but the rating belongs to the tested assembly, so the underlayment and details matter.
• Cool-roof rule. Under the 2025 Energy Code, roof constructions weighing at least 25 pounds per square foot are exempt from the re-roof cool-roof requirement. Ask for the installed weight of the tile system you choose if your house is in an inland climate zone such as Ojai or Westlake Village (zone 9), where the rule otherwise applies to sloped roofs.
• Weight. Switching from shingles or metal to tile adds a lot of load; the framing has to be checked first.

Tile roof repair: what usually goes wrong

• Cracked and broken tiles, often from someone walking on the roof, a fallen branch or a satellite installer. Single tiles can be replaced if a matching profile and color is available.
• Slipped tiles whose fasteners have failed, leaving a gap in the course.
• Worn underlayment. Leaks appear in several places at once, stains show up after long rains, and the tiles themselves look fine. This is the most common cause of leaks on older tile roofs here.
• Flashing at valleys, chimneys, skylights and walls, including valley metal that has rusted through.
• Debris packed under the tiles and in valleys that holds water against the underlayment.

When the underlayment has failed across the roof, the lasting fix is a “lift and re-lay”: the tiles are removed and stacked, the underlayment and flashing are renewed, and the same tiles, plus replacements for broken ones, go back on. The building code allows existing clay and cement tile to be reinstalled, but not tile that is damaged, cracked or broken, and not rusted or damaged flashing (California Building Code 2025, section 1512.4). It often costs less than new tile and keeps the look of the house. For a whole-roof project, see roof replacement; for a single leak, roof repair.

Caring for a tile roof

• Stay off it. Most broken tile is caused by foot traffic; a roofer knows where to step.
• Have valleys and gutters cleared before the rainy season, especially under trees.
• After a big storm or an earthquake, have the ridge, hips and edges checked for loose or slipped tiles.
• Keep a few spare tiles from your roof; matching an older profile and color later can be hard.

We take responsibility very seriously and work until our customers are 100% satisfied. Regular checks are part of our roof maintenance service.

Tile roofing questions

Can you replace just a few broken tiles?

Yes, when a matching tile can be found and the underlayment under it is sound. If the underlayment is worn out, new tiles alone will not stop the leak.

Can I put solar panels on a tile roof?

Yes. Tiles where the mounts go are lifted, flashed mounts are fastened to the roof structure and the tiles are cut and reset around them. It is a good moment to check the underlayment in the same area.

Do you work on tile roofs in Ventura County?

Yes, across Ventura County as well as Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

To book an assessment of your tile roof, call 805-977-5949 or use the form below.