Clay v concrete roof tiles

[Heidi Hi]

Hello friends
We have a 30,s Dutch barn style house with original clay Rosemary roof tiles. We want a velux to go in the back, the front leaks and a replacement roof will mean we can get insulation in the hip areas which aren't accessible from the loft. Most of our neighbours have new roofs and each one different.
So clay or concrete? That is the question.
Definitely going for smaller tiles which match the original size. I can see the concrete are a solid colour and don't have the shading of Rosemary's. Whatever we do will out live us I expect. I appreciate were looking at extra cost for clay. I'm struggling to see the negatives for concrete.
Thoughts please to help me decide.

 

[phatboy]

Concrete is a lot heavier, so your new roof will need uprating. And can the house wall's sustain the extra load?

 

[Heidi Hi]

I thought that but holding the samples I've got they seem the same. I get that argument with slate, but the existing are clay and don't seem different in weight individually.

 

[tony1851]

Clay every time. I replaced ours in concrete plain tile some years ago (Marley Old-English Dark Red/smooth). They look great for a couple of years and then start to go a dirty-brown colour. If I could turn the clock back, I'd have used Rosemary's -stay cleaner for longer.

 

[Heidi Hi]

Thank you for that. Colour over time issues is my main concern I think.

 

[^woody^]

Fading, loss of texture and moss and algea growth dont affect clay tiles.

In some cases this early aging can look OK, but not in most cases

 

[diyal]

Clay every time. I replaced ours in concrete plain tile some years ago (Marley Old-English Dark Red/smooth). They look great for a couple of years and then start to go a dirty-brown colour. If I could turn the clock back, I'd have used Rosemary's -stay cleaner for longer.

agree with Tony, I did exactly the same. I would go with Clay

 

[IJWS15]

Clay look far better and you already have them. They can be re-used. If you don't re-use them they have a re-sale value which your roofer may not tell you about.

If you need to replace some then second hand tiles are available.

Concrete "Rosemary" are available but look horrible.