This case study details the complete tile roof replacement performed by Presidio Roofing Company for a residential property in Greystone Country Estates in San Antonio, TX. The project involved removing old concrete tiles and installing Westlake – Saxony Country Split Shake Tiles to protect the interior of the home from further leaks. The project was completed in October 2024 with a total coverage of 8,300 sq ft.
We tore off the original tile roof to the decking. Decking replacement was not needed. We installed a high temp self adhering leak barrier underlayment on the entire decking, over all hips, ridges, and valleys. This creates a sealed and water tight surface for the tile to be installed onto. The benefit of using this instead of just loose felt paper is if there were to be hail or wind damage on this tile roof the risk of it actually leaking is very minimal. Your underlayment is what keeps water out and the tile is what protects that underlayment.
Large tile jobs like this need dumpsters, forklifts and long arm telehandlers for lifting the tile onto the roof. This job took 4 weeks to complete.
We Installed a concrete split shake style tile by Newpoint which was formerly Boral under the Westlake company brand.
In This Case Study:
- Project Snapshot: Key Specifications & Costs
- Challenge 1: Dangerous & Steep Work Conditions
- The Solution:
- Challenge 2: We Found a Cactus Growing on the Roof
- The Solution: Proper Training, Experience & Our Skillset
- Challenge 3: Work Around Rain and Protect the Decking
- The Solution: Working With the Right People
- The Result:
- How to Maintain Your New Westlake - Saxony Country Split Shake Tile Roof
Project Snapshot: Key Specifications & Costs
| Metric | Project Detail |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Full Roof Replacement (Retail) |
| Location | Greystone Country Estates, San Antonio, TX 78258 |
| Roof Size | 8,300 Sq Ft (83 Squares) |
| Material Used | Westlake – Saxony Country Split Shake Tile (Cobblestone) |
| Duration | 4 Weeks |
| Budget Range | $140,000 – $170,000 |
| Warranty | Westlake Lifetime Warranty With 10-Year Workmanship |
Challenge 1: Dangerous & Steep Work Conditions
Roof is 2 story and high pitched for a tile roof, predominantly 8-10/12 pitch (or nearly 34 degrees – nearly 40 degrees). Because tile is such a heavy product, everything is compounded more than with shingles. Whether tearing off the original roof, loading the new materials, moving them to the their places for installation, cutting them, etc when you are working on a roof that is not easily walkable like most tile roofs, the compounding effects of the steepness makes work more dangerous, things take longer, and overall more attention needed on the small things.
The Solution:
We are experienced at working higher pitch and 2 story access tile roofs. We have replaced tile roofs all across Texas, from Port Aransas to DFW and of course all over San Antonio and the hill country. In some neighborhoods the tile roofs are even steeper than this, like the Dominion, and we have completed many tile roof replacements there to date. When working on these roofs our crew employs additional safety measures, more ground safety to protect against falling tiles, more use of rope and harnesses, bigger material lift equipment, and much more.
Challenge 2: We Found a Cactus Growing on the Roof
Yes, you read that right. A nearly 3 foot cactus was growing in the tile roof. And we were concerned this might cause a change order or reveal potential structural issues.
The Solution: Proper Training, Experience & Our Skillset
It is actually not uncommon to find vegetation growing in tile roofs in the Southern / Southwest Regions of the U.S. Older tile roofs with organic underlayment can create potentially optimal beds for seed pods to get into and with the right conditions, sprout and grow. This often comes from high winds or from animals like Bats that also have a habit of burrowing into older tile roofs.
Newer tile roofing systems with superior products and underlayment are less likely to have this happen but overall its a good reason to consider a maintenance plan with your tile roof to try and get ahead of vegetation or animal issues.
This was not a particularly large growth so we just carefully removed it but had it been a different kind of plant that maybe had run small roots under large portions of the tile we would be dealing with structural issues and change orders. This is something we can often spot before even starting a tile roof replacement and another reason why you need a very thorough initial inspection.
Challenge 3: Work Around Rain and Protect the Decking
This was a longer roof so we had to be careful to complete the job in a way that kept it protected for potential rain events during the build.
The Solution: Working With the Right People
We tore off and dried in the roof in sections. By working in this manner we can comfortably keep the decking covered at all time to keep any pop up showers from causing bigger issues. You can see in some of the photos how parts of the roof look light blue (new underlayment) while others look worn out (the old tile/ underlayment).
The Result:
A beautiful home with a gorgeous, properly-installed tile roof and a lifetime warranty.
How to Maintain Your New Westlake - Saxony Country Split Shake Tile Roof
After any severe weather event, perform a ground-level inspection. Look for signs like dings in your gutters, tears in window screens, or broken, cracked, or displaced tiles. Do not climb the roof yourself; call a professional if you suspect damage.
Keep your gutters and downspouts clean at least twice a year and after major storms to prevent water backup, trapped moisture, and potential damage to the fascia, roof decking, or underlying tile system.
Keep trees trimmed back at least 6–10 feet from your roof’s edges to reduce debris and protect tiles from damage.