Clay Tile vs Concrete Tile — Which is Better for Your Farnham Home?

Clay Tiles — The Traditional Choice

Clay peg tiles have been used on Surrey and Hampshire housing for centuries. The distinctive warm terracotta colour of traditional clay tiles is what gives Farnham's Victorian and Edwardian streets their character.

Lifespan

60–100+ years for quality clay tiles from established manufacturers. Many Victorian clay tile roofs in Farnham are still performing on their original installation. The material itself doesn't deteriorate in the same way concrete does — it maintains its surface integrity over time.

Cost

Clay tiles cost significantly more than concrete — typically 2–3 times more for the tiles themselves. A full re-roof in clay on a 3-bed Farnham semi might cost £6,000–£9,000 versus £4,500–£7,000 in concrete. However, the extended service life means lower whole-life cost.

Appearance

Clay tiles develop a natural patina over time, improving in appearance rather than deteriorating. The colour is integral — it won't fade or wash out. On period properties, clay tiles are visually correct in a way concrete can't match.

Planning Considerations

In Farnham's conservation areas, replacing original clay tiles with concrete is likely to require planning consent and may not be approved. If your property had original clay tiles, replacing like-for-like in clay is the safe option both aesthetically and from a planning perspective.

BS 5534 requires all roof tiles on the perimeter and, in many exposure zones, across the whole roof to be mechanically fixed — a standard that applies equally to clay and concrete tiles.Source: BS 5534

Concrete Tiles — The Practical Alternative

Concrete interlocking tiles became the standard roofing material for UK housing from the 1950s onwards and remain the most widely installed tile type today, particularly on post-war housing estates.

Lifespan

30–50 years for quality concrete tiles. The surface gradually carbonates over time, becoming more porous. Frost damage accelerates deterioration once carbonation has progressed — on 1960s and 1970s Farnham properties, many concrete tile roofs are now approaching end of design life.

Cost

Significantly cheaper than clay upfront. For budget-constrained re-roofing, concrete is the practical choice, particularly on post-war properties where there's no aesthetic or planning argument for clay.

Appearance

Modern concrete tiles are significantly better-looking than earlier products, with better colour stability and surface finishes. However the colour is a surface coating that fades over time — concrete roofs typically look their age in a way clay doesn't.

The Verdict for Farnham Properties

For Victorian and Edwardian properties in Farnham — and for any property in a conservation area — clay is the correct choice. The visual character, planning compliance and long-term performance justify the additional cost, and the whole-life cost difference is smaller than the upfront cost difference suggests.

For post-war properties, particularly 1960s–1980s housing in estates like Heath End, Badshot Lea or Farnborough's Cove, concrete is perfectly appropriate and the right economic choice unless budget is not a constraint.

Last reviewed: 19 July 2026