Concrete Tile Vs Asphalt Shingle Roofs: What We Tell Auckland Homeowners
Concrete Tile Vs Asphalt Shingles
Plenty of Auckland homes built between the 1960s and the 1990s are wearing a concrete tile roof that is now due for attention. When those tiles start cracking, shedding their surface coating or growing lichen on the shaded side, the question that follows is usually the same. Do we put tiles back on, or move to asphalt shingles?
The honest answer is that neither material wins on paper. What matters is your roof pitch, the condition of the framing underneath, the look you are after and how much upkeep you want to sign up for. Here is the way we work through it with homeowners on site.
Request A free Quote Today!
What Concrete Tiles Do Well
We would rather be straight about this than talk down a product that has served plenty of houses well.
Concrete tiles are hard wearing. A tile roof laid properly and maintained can run for several decades. The tiles carry useful thermal mass, they hold their shape under strong sun, and the profile suits certain 1970s and 1980s homes in a way nothing else quite matches.
The trade offs show up later. Concrete absorbs moisture, so tiles gradually darken and grow lichen on southern slopes. The factory colour coating wears off and leaves a chalky grey finish. Ridge capping bedded in mortar needs re-pointing every so often. Tiles crack underfoot, which makes routine work on the roof a careful exercise. And the weight sits on your framing for the whole life of the roof.
Where Asphalt Shingles Pull Ahead
Weight And Your Existing Framing
This is the point that changes most conversations. Asphalt shingles weigh around 19 kg per square metre, roughly half of a concrete tile roof. Stripping tiles off an older home can take tonnes of load off the trusses and walls.
That matters twice over. Framing that was never generous to begin with gets an easier life, and because you are going lighter rather than heavier, an asphalt shingle roof conversion often avoids the structural work a like for like tile replacement can trigger. We still check every roof and confirm consent requirements before we quote.
Appearance And Colour Choice
Shingles are laid in overlapping courses, so a roof reads with depth and shadow rather than a repeating tile profile. Architectural ranges are made to look like timber shakes or slate, and the colour blends run from soft greys and driftwood tones through to near black. That suits villas, bungalows, weatherboard homes and new builds equally well, which is why we specify shingles across new asphalt shingle roof installation as well as replacements.
Weather Performance In Auckland Conditions
Modern shingles are built for wind driven rain, salt air and hard UV. Quality products hold BRANZ appraisal for use here in extra high wind zones, with ratings up to around 200 km/h when installed to specification. Copper infused granules on ranges such as GAF asphalt shingles hold back algae staining, which earns its keep on shaded slopes out west and on the Shore.
Shingles do need a minimum roof pitch of 9 degrees. Most Auckland homes clear that comfortably, though it is the first thing we measure.
Repairs And Ongoing Upkeep
A damaged shingle can be lifted and replaced on its own without disturbing the courses around it. There is no mortar to re-point and no repainting cycle. Clear the gutters, keep branches trimmed, treat moss gently and book an inspection every couple of years. That is close to the whole list.
Cost And Long Term Value
Concrete tiles carry cost on several fronts: materials, slower installation, heavier handling, and any framing work needed to carry the load. Shingles are lighter to move, quicker to lay and simpler to detail, so the labour side is leaner.
We publish no fixed rates, because no two roofs price the same. What we can say is that shingles sit consistently among the better value premium options in New Zealand, and that an asphalt shingle re-roofing quote from us covers removal, disposal, plywood substrate, underlay, flashings, ventilation and clean up. If you want the longevity side of the picture, we have written separately on how long an asphalt shingle roof lasts in New Zealand.
The Four Questions We Ask On Site
- What is the roof pitch, and does it clear 9 degrees?
- What condition are the framing and the existing underlay in once we lift a section?
- How exposed is the site to wind, salt and shade?
- How long do you plan to stay in the house?
Those four answers usually settle the material choice before anyone gets to colour.
Our View
For most Auckland homes coming off a tired concrete tile roof, shingles deliver a lighter, better looking and lower maintenance result for sensible money. Where a tile roof is still sound and the house genuinely suits it, we will tell you that as well.
If your tiles are cracking, fading or letting water through, call us on 0800 676 633 or request a free, no obligation quote and we will come and look at it properly.
FAQs: Concrete Tile And Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Can I Replace My Concrete Tile Roof With Asphalt Shingles?
Yes, and it is one of the most common jobs we do. We remove the tiles, check and repair the framing, lay a structural plywood deck and underlay, then install the new shingle system over the top.
Do I Need Building Consent To Convert From Tiles To Shingles?
Usually not. Consent is generally only triggered when the new roof is heavier than the old one, and shingles are considerably lighter than concrete tiles. We confirm the position for your property before work starts.
Are Asphalt Shingles As Durable As Concrete Tiles In New Zealand?
A quality architectural shingle roof typically lasts 20 to 30 years in New Zealand conditions, and often sits at the upper end of that when installed and maintained correctly. Premium ranges carry long manufacturer warranties on top of that.
Will A Shingle Roof Look Right On An Older Auckland Home?
In our experience, yes. The layered profile and muted colour blends work well on villas, bungalows and character homes, and they carry a modern build just as comfortably.
How Long Does A Tile To Shingle Conversion Take?
Most single storey homes take around one to two weeks, depending on roof size, complexity and the weather. You can stay in the house throughout, since all the work happens outside.