A concrete roof is a long-lasting, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient option for homeowners looking for durability. While concrete roofs cost more upfront than asphalt shingles, they are more affordable than premium materials like slate or clay while offering a lifespan of 50 to 100 years.
For a typical 1,700-square-foot home, a concrete roof replacement costs between $20,400 and $31,450, with prices ranging from $12 to $18.50 per square foot. Lower-end installations start at around $8.20 per square foot, while high-end designs can exceed $20 per square foot.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about concrete roofing, including material options, cost factors, and professional vs. DIY installation considerations. We’ll also cover hidden expenses like structural reinforcement, which may add $15,000 to $30,000 to your project if your home’s framing isn’t designed for the weight of concrete tiles.
Ready to explore if a concrete roof is right for your home? Let’s dive in.
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Key Takeaways
- Concrete roofs tend to be much more durable than traditional asphalt shingles – but they also cost more.
- However, concrete tends to be cheaper than other long-lasting roof types, like clay tiles or slate.
- Replacing a concrete roof is a job best left to the pros.
What Is the Cost of a Concrete Roof?
The national average cost for concrete roofs is between $12 and $18.50 per square foot. For a 1,700-foot roof (the current national average roof size), that means your total costs will likely range between $20,400 to $31,450 to replace an old concrete roof with a new one.
Like most roofing materials, concrete comes in a range of styles, designs, and brands at various quality and price levels. Concrete tile roof installations cost as low as $8.20 per square foot, while luxury options can land higher than $20.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the national average rate for concrete roof installations. The following table accounts for overhead, material, and labor costs, providing the expected price per square foot and project total.
| Cost Level | Price per Square Foot | Total Cost for 1,700 Sq. Ft. Roof |
|---|---|---|
| Low-end | $8.20 – $9.50 | $13,940 – $16,150 |
| National Average | $12 – $18.50 | $20,400 – $31,450 |
| High-end | $19.20 – $20+ | $32,640 – $34,000+ |
We retrieved cost data from RSMeans, a project estimator for contractors and home improvement experts. The average costs listed in this article include materials and labor fees.
What Is the Cost of a Concrete Roof by Type?
Concrete roof tiles come in many styles, allowing you to customize the look of your roof replacement. Let’s look at the most prevalent types of tiles for concrete roofs, their key benefits, and their associated costs.
Here’s a breakdown of popular options:
| Tile Type | Cost per Square Foot | Key Features |
| Flat Tiles | $4 – $10 | Most affordable, can mimic slate or wood shake |
| Mission (Spanish) | $8 – $10 | Curved interlocking design for easier installation |
| Barrel (S-Tiles) | $12 – $20+ | Deeper curve, excellent airflow, and durability |
| French Style | $9 – $14 | Thick, impact-resistant, old-world aesthetic |
Flat Tiles
Flat-styled tiles are the most common and affordable on the market. While they have a simple shape, they can be painted or carved to look like other types of roofing, like slate, clay, or even wood shake. These tiles are some of the least expensive on the market, costing between $4 and $10 per square foot.
Mission Style Tiles
Also called “Spanish Style,” this design has a distinct curved shape. The tiles have an interlocking back, which makes for fast installation. They’re slightly pricier than their flat counterparts, costing $8 to $10 per square foot.
Barrel Style Tiles
Also called “S” tiles, barrel tiles resemble Spanish tiles but have a more distinct, deeper curve. The back of the tile is smooth and shaped like the front, creating its distinct “S-like” appearance. This design creates a path for better airflow, allowing the roof to withstand extreme heat and to provide better mold and mildew resistance. Barrel tiles are one of the more expensive options for concrete roofs, costing between $12 to more than $20 per square foot.
French Style Tiles
French style tiles are less common but can be an excellent choice if you want a unique, old-world look. French tiles have an interlocking back that creates a wave-like pattern once placed onto the roof deck. These tiles are thicker than others, making them particularly resistant to impacts. They have a middle-of-the-road price, ranging from $9 to $14 per square foot.
Read our article about the cost of tile roofing for more tile roofing cost information.
What Is a Concrete Roof’s Cost by Roof Size?
Since roofing is priced by square footage, larger homes cost more. Here’s a breakdown by common roof sizes:
| Roof Size (In Square Feet) | Price Range | Average Cost |
| 1,000 | $12,000–$18,500 | $15,250 |
| 1,500 | $18,000–$31,450 | $24,725 |
| 2.000 | $24,000–$37,000 | $30,500 |
| 2,500 | $30,000–$46,250 | $38,125 |
| 3,000 | $36,000–55,500 | $45,750 |
| 3,500 | $42,000–$64,750 | $53,375 |
| 4,000 | $48,000–$74,000 | $61,000 |
| 4,500 | $54,000–$83,250 | $68,625 |
| 5,000 | $60,000–$$92,500 | $76,250 |
How Much Does a Concrete Roof Cost In Materials?
While roof installation is a job for professionals, there may be certain instances where you need to purchase concrete tiles directly from an industrial supplier. In these situations, it helps to know the exact cost of materials associated with the project.
Roof tiles from a home improvement store or tile manufacturer come one of two ways: squares or bundles. A square contains enough materials to cover a 100-square-foot section of a roof. A bundle is roughly one-third that amount. The national average material cost of concrete roof tiles is between $3.80 and $7.50 per square foot, although certain styles can be much more expensive.
If purchasing tiles separately, expect the following material costs:
| Roofing Squares (100 Sq. Ft.) | Total Material Cost |
| 1 | $380 – $750 |
| 5 | $1,900 – $3,750 |
| 10 | $3,800 – $7,500 |
| 15 | $5,700 – $11,250 |
| 20 | $7,600 – $15,000 |
These prices apply if you plan to purchase tiles directly from a supplier, but they do not include labor or underlayment costs.
Which Factors Impact How Much a Concrete Roof Costs?
For any roofing project, size and material type are the two biggest factors that can impact its price. But other factors like roof pitch, structural reframing, and add-ons can increase a project’s cost. Let’s look at other major price determiners and explain how much they can add to your final bill.
Roof Pitch
One of the most important things to consider when calculating your roof’s replacement cost is its size. A roof’s true size will be larger than your home’s base square footage because of its pitch and because of the number of slopes it possesses.
To find your roof’s true size, you’ll need to know the steepness of its pitch, which is determined by its rise-over-run ratio. You can calculate this ratio by measuring how much a sloped section rises (in inches) for every foot it extends horizontally (runs). For example, a roof that rises 2 inches per horizontal foot has a ratio of 2:12. With this number, you can use a roof size calculator, plug in your information, and get your roof’s true square footage.
The following table will outline how much pitch can add to your roof’s total square footage and how much more your bill will be because of it.
| Base Square Footage of Home | Roof Pitch | Roof’s True Area in Square Feet | Slate Shingle Installation Cost |
| 2,200 | 4:12 | 2,541 | $38,750 |
| 2,200 | 6:12 | 2,695 | $41,098 |
| 2,200 | 8:12 | 2,897 | $44,179 |
| 2,400 | 4:12 | 2,762 | $42,120 |
| 2,400 | 6:12 | 2,929 | $44,667 |
| 2,400 | 8:12 | 3,149 | $48,022 |
| 2,700 | 4:12 | 3,092 | $47,153 |
| 2,700 | 6:12 | 3,279 | $50,004 |
| 2,700 | 8:12 | 3,525 | $53,756 |
Structural Reinforcement or Roof Framing
One of the few downsides to concrete roofs is their weight. Concrete roof tiles weigh up to 1,200 pounds per 100 square feet — several times heavier than other roofing materials. Unfortunately, many roof structures won’t support concrete tiles without reinforcement or reframing.
The cost of reframing varies greatly and depends on your home’s size, design, and condition. But on average you can expect to pay between $15,000 and $30,000 when working with a structural engineer to reframe a roof.
Add-ons and Roof Repair
When replacing an old roof, contractors often discover damaged sections they must fix. When this happens, they talk to the homeowner, generate an updated cost estimate, and proceed with the repair. Things like damaged decking, vents, flashing, or old insulation sections are common issues.
Alternatively, a homeowner may ask for additional work or improvements before the job even starts. Examples are adding skylights, replacing gutters, and repairing chimneys. Let’s look at the costs of standard repairs and improvements that may come up during a roof replacement.
- Repairing or replacing flashing: $10–$27 per linear foot
- Roof sealing: $1–$4 per square foot
- Gutter repair or replacement: $1,000–$7,000
- Adding a skylight: $900–$2,500
- Repairing a chimney: $150–$1,000
- Vent repair or ductwork: $150–$900
- Replacing insulation: Between $2.14 and $4.30 per square foot, totaling between $1,500 to over $2,000
- Roof underlayment (decking): Between $2 and $3 per square foot
What Are the Benefits of Investing in a Concrete Roof?
While concrete has a higher upfront cost than traditional asphalt shingles or even some metal roofs, its benefits compensate for it. Concrete roofs have some of the longest life spans on the market, lasting an average of 50 years and up to 100 years with the right conditions and care.
Concrete withstands high winds and impacts far better than clay tiles. It also stands up remarkably well to both heat and cold, with concrete roofs typically having a class A or B fire rating (assuming they’re installed and maintained correctly).
Additional major benefits of concrete roofs include:
- Energy efficiency: Concrete roof tiles reflect light and absorb less heat than traditional asphalt shingles. Because some roof designs have improved airflow, they can better resist heat.
- Eco-friendly: Concrete roofs are made of sustainable materials that usually get recycled once their lifespan ends.
- Versatility: Concrete tiles come in numerous designs, colors, and styles, which allows you to customize your roof to fit the overall look of your home.
Professional Vs. DIY Concrete Roof Cost
Installing a concrete roof is not a DIY project—it requires specialized tools, experience, and structural knowledge. Improper installation can lead to leaks, mold, and structural damage.
Hiring a Roofing Contractor: What to Look For
- Get multiple quotes: Compare pricing and services from at least three contractors — find local experts near you.
- Check licensing and insurance: Ensure the contractor is licensed and insured for roofing work.
- Review past work: Look at customer reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings.
- Ask about warranties: Good contractors offer warranties on materials and workmanship.
A professional installation ensures your concrete roof is done correctly and safely, preventing costly future repairs.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
So, Is a Concrete Roof Worth the Cost?
A concrete roof is a durable, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient option that can last a lifetime. However, it comes with higher upfront costs and structural requirements. If your home can support the weight and budget allows, it’s a worthwhile investment.
Considering a concrete roof? Consult a professional roofer to assess your home’s structural capacity and get an accurate quote for installation.
FAQs About Concrete Roofs
A well-maintained concrete roof lasts 50 to 100 years, making it one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. Regular inspections and proper sealing help extend its lifespan.
Concrete tiles are highly water-resistant but not entirely waterproof. Because concrete is porous, water can seep in over time if the roof is not properly sealed. Applying a sealant and ensuring proper underlayment helps prevent moisture issues.
No. While they look similar, concrete tiles are made from a mix of sand, cement, and water, whereas clay tiles are kiln-fired from natural clay. Concrete is heavier but more affordable, while clay is more brittle but offers a traditional, high-end appearance.
A concrete tile roof’s major disadvantage is its weight. Concrete weighs several times more than other roofing materials, and your house may need reinforcement to support it. Concrete roofs are also not as low maintenance as other materials, and they typically need an underlayment and batten replacement every 20 years.
