Metal Roof vs. Clay or Concrete Tile
Quick answer
Metal tile gives the Mediterranean/Spanish look at a fraction of the weight. Interlock's aluminum tile weighs about 70 lbs per 100 sq ft — roughly 96% lighter than clay or concrete tile — so it usually needs no structural reinforcement, won't crack under impact or foot traffic, and installs over most existing roofs, while delivering the same tile aesthetic.
The weight problem with real tile
Clay and concrete tile are beautiful and long-lasting, but they are extremely heavy — often requiring an engineered roof structure to carry the load, which drives up cost on new builds and can rule tile out entirely on a re-roof. They are also brittle: a dropped branch, a hailstone, or a technician's footstep can crack a tile, and cracked tiles let water in. That weight-and-brittleness combination is tile's biggest practical drawback.
Metal tile: the look without the load
Interlock's aluminum Mediterranean Tile solves both problems. It is formed into a true barrel profile that reads as authentic Spanish tile from the ground, but it weighs a small fraction as much.
| Factor | Aluminum metal tile | Clay / concrete tile |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per 100 sq ft) | ~70 lbs | ~600–1,200+ lbs |
| Structural reinforcement | Usually none needed | Often required |
| Breakage | Flexes; won't crack | Cracks under impact/foot traffic |
| Over existing roof | Often yes | Rarely |
| Look | Authentic barrel-tile profile | Authentic tile |
When to choose metal tile
Metal tile is the smart choice when you love the Mediterranean look but want to avoid tile's weight, breakage, and structural cost — on a re-roof where adding tile weight isn't feasible, on a new build where you'd rather not engineer for a heavy roof, or anywhere hail and impact are a concern. You keep the aesthetic and gain a lightweight, hail-resistant, lifetime aluminum roof that installs over most existing roofs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lighter is metal tile than clay or concrete?
Dramatically — Interlock's aluminum tile weighs about 70 lbs per 100 sq ft, roughly 96% less than clay or concrete tile. That usually eliminates the need for structural reinforcement, even on a re-roof.
Does metal tile look like real tile?
Yes. It is formed into a true barrel profile with a ~1.2-inch height and hidden fasteners, so from the ground it reads as authentic Mediterranean tile — without visible screws.
Will a metal tile roof crack like clay?
No. Aluminum flexes rather than shatters, so it won't crack under hail or foot traffic the way brittle clay and concrete tile can, and it is tested to UL 2218 Class 4 for impact.
Can metal tile go over my existing roof?
Often yes — its light weight allows installation over solid sheathing or spaced strapping where code permits, unlike heavy clay or concrete tile.
Sources
- Interlock Tile Specification Manual — Weight & profile data
- ICC-ES ESR-1790 — Hidden Fastener Tile — Impact & wind ratings
Explore Interlock Metal Roofing
Last reviewed 2026-07-11 · Reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing