How long does a concrete tile roof last in the UK?

A well-laid concrete tile roof in the UK will typically last somewhere between 40 and 60 years, and often longer if it is looked after. The tiles themselves are very durable, so in practice it is rarely the tiles that decide the roof's lifespan.

What usually goes first is everything around and underneath them. The roofing felt can become brittle and tear, the battens can rot, the mortar bedding the ridge and verges can crack and let tiles slip, and the lead flashings around chimneys can fail. These are the parts worth keeping an eye on.

A few things shorten a concrete tile roof's life: poor ventilation that lets moisture build up in the roof space, moss and debris trapping water on the tiles, and repairs done cheaply with the wrong materials. Good ventilation and the occasional check go a long way.

If your roof is forty years old and starting to show slipped tiles, cracked bedding or damp in the loft, it is worth having it looked at. Sometimes a repair will add years; sometimes a full re-cover is the better value. An honest roofer will tell you which.