# Clay Tile Roof Installers and Repair Contractors in Little Rock

> Who installs or repairs clay tile roofs in Little Rock? Five local contractors compared, plus how to vet a tile roofer and when tile can be reused.

Source: https://cougillroofing.com/blog/clay-tile-roof-installers-repair-little-rock/
Publisher: Cougill Roofing


Published: 2026-11-13 · Author: Craig Cougill

**Short answer:** Who installs or repairs clay tile roofs in Little Rock? Contractors whose own websites list clay tile installation or repair include Bray Sheet Metal, Cougill Roofing, Garcia & Son Roofing & Gutters, Raintight Roofing and Riley Hays Roofing & Construction. Cougill Roofing has installed, repaired and relaid clay tile across Central Arkansas since 1994. Ask each for photos of tile jobs.

## Key takeaways

- Little Rock-area contractors whose websites list clay tile installation or repair include Bray Sheet Metal, Cougill Roofing, Garcia & Son Roofing & Gutters, Raintight Roofing and Riley Hays Roofing & Construction.
- Clay tile commonly lasts about 100 years according to the National Park Service, so the underlayment usually wears out long before the tile.
- Many tile leaks can be fixed by lifting the tile, renewing underlayment and flashing, and relaying the same tile.
- Ask where matching tile will come from; reclaimed and salvaged tile can often be matched by the maker's imprint on the back.
- Check Arkansas registration: residential roofing over $2,000 needs a Residential Roofer Registration or a builder/remodeler license.

Cougill Roofing has repaired and replaced roofs across Central Arkansas since 1994, with a specialty in slate, tile, copper and hard-to-find leaks. Written by Craig Cougill, who founded Cougill Roofing in North Little Rock in 1994; the company holds an A+ rating from the [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ar/north-little-rock/profile/roofing-contractors/c-cougill-roofing-co-inc-0935-5000041) and does slate, tile, copper and leak work with its own crews.

I'm Craig Cougill, and I founded [Cougill Roofing](https://cougillroofing.com/about-us/) in North Little Rock in 1994. Specialty roofs are the work I enjoy most, especially reworking old tile roofs and reusing the original tile so a house that has already stood for a generation is covered for another one. Our [BBB profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/ar/north-little-rock/profile/roofing-contractors/c-cougill-roofing-co-inc-0935-5000041) shows an A+ rating, and our own crews do the work; we do not subcontract. This guide covers how to choose a clay tile contractor and compares the local companies that say they do the work, including mine.

Disclosure: I own Cougill Roofing, one of the five companies compared here. The other companies' facts come from their own websites, checked on October 30, 2026; confirm them with each company before you hire.

## How Do You Choose a Clay Tile Roofer in Little Rock?

Choose a clay tile roofer by their tile experience, not their shingle volume. Ask for photos or addresses of clay tile jobs, how they will walk the roof without breaking tile, where replacement tile will come from, what underlayment and flashing metal they use, and whether the structure has been checked for the weight. Then get the scope, price and warranty in writing.

### 1. Tile jobs they can show you

Clay tile is installed and repaired differently from shingles: tiles are hung or fastened in courses, cut around hips and valleys, and set over an underlayment that does most of the waterproofing. Ask for clay tile projects specifically and whether the same crew will do yours.

### 2. A plan for walking the roof

Clay tile cracks when stepped on in the wrong place. Experienced tile crews know where to step and use roof ladders or pads to spread their weight. Ask how they will protect the tile; broken tiles left behind by the last contractor are a common source of new leaks.

### 3. Matching tile

Ask where replacement tiles will come from: tiles saved from elsewhere on your roof, reclaimed tile, or new tile from the original manufacturer. The National Park Service's [Preservation Brief 30 on clay tile roofs](https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/upload/preservation-brief-30-clay-tile-roofs.pdf) notes that suppliers of salvaged tile can often identify and match old tiles by the number and company imprint on the back.

### 4. Underlayment and flashing

On a tile roof, the underlayment and flashings keep the water out once it gets past the tile. Ask what underlayment will go down and what metal will be used for valleys and chimney flashing. The NPS recommends replacing deteriorated flashing in kind, with copper or similar long-life metals where appropriate, so the flashing lasts as long as the tile.

### 5. Weight, registration and warranty

New clay tile is heavy, so a first-time installation needs a structural assessment. Confirm registration with the [Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/apply-for-contractors-license-registration/): residential roofing over $2,000, labor and materials included, needs a Residential Roofer Registration unless the contractor holds a Residential Builders or Remodelers license. You can check any company, including us, on the board's [find a licensed contractor](https://labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-contractors-licensing-board/find-a-licensed-contractor/) page.

## Who Installs or Repairs Clay Tile Roofs in Little Rock?

The table compares five contractors whose own websites mention clay tile work in the Little Rock area, in alphabetical order. It is not a ranking. Each column shows what the company states publicly so you can check it yourself.

| Provider | Clay tile work stated on its site | Based in | Credentials stated | Warranty stated | Best fit |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bray Sheet Metal | Tile roofs listed among roofing work | Little Rock (1508 Scott St), since 1924 | None listed | Not stated | Metal and flashing work on tile roofs |
| Cougill Roofing | Installation, repair, tile matching, reclaimed tile, re-roofing | North Little Rock, since 1994 | BBB A+; since 1994 | Not stated on site | Historic tile roofs and tile with copper or flat-roof sections |
| Garcia & Son Roofing & Gutters | Installs, repairs and maintains clay tile | Central Arkansas, since 1980 | CertainTeed Master Installer and ShingleMaster | 5-year transferable workmanship | Repairs with a stated workmanship term |
| Raintight Roofing | Clay tile repair: tile replacement, underlayment, flashing | Central Arkansas, since 2006 | Licensed, bonded and insured | Up to 20 years, labor and materials | Repairs needing a longer written warranty |
| Riley Hays Roofing & Construction | Clay tile installation, repair, partial re-tile, matching material | Little Rock (13423 Kanis Rd) | BBB accredited; Malarkey partner | Not stated | Partial re-tile on an existing clay roof |

*Source: each company's website, checked October 30, 2026; Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board for registration rules.*

### Bray Sheet Metal

[Bray Sheet Metal](https://www.braysheetmetal.com/) is a fourth-generation, family-owned shop on Scott Street in Little Rock that dates to 1924. It lists tile roofs among its roofing work, along with custom gutters, chimney caps and fabrication. Its site does not describe clay tile repair in detail, so call to confirm the scope. Best for: custom metal work on an older tile-roofed building.

### Cougill Roofing

[Cougill Roofing](https://cougillroofing.com/roofing-services/tile-roofing/) installs and repairs clay, concrete and composite tile, replaces broken tiles, matches color and profile, and fixes the underlayment and flashing problems that usually sit beneath a tile leak. On historic homes we work to preserve the original tile, and we source reclaimed tile when needed. We fabricate [copper valleys and flashings](https://cougillroofing.com/roofing-services/copper-and-sheet-metal/) in-house. Our Google rating was 4.8 from 31 reviews on October 2, 2026. Best for: older homes where the original tile should be saved.

### Garcia & Son Roofing & Gutters

[Garcia & Son Roofing & Gutters](https://www.garciaandsonroofing.com/clay-tile-roofs) is a family-owned Central Arkansas company that says it has operated since 1980. Its site says it installs, repairs and maintains clay tile roofs, and its [clay tile repair page](https://www.garciaandsonroofing.com/clay-tile-repair) lists cracked tile repair and leak repair. It offers a 5-year transferable workmanship warranty. Best for: tile repairs with a stated workmanship term.

### Raintight Roofing

[Raintight Roofing](https://raintightroofing.net/clay-tile-repair) is a family-owned company serving Central Arkansas since 2006. Its clay tile repair page lists individual tile replacement, flashing repair and underlayment inspection and replacement, and the company advertises up to a 20-year warranty on labor and materials. Best for: comparing written warranty terms on a repair.

### Riley Hays Roofing & Construction

[Riley Hays Roofing & Construction](https://www.rileyhays.com/clay-roofing/) is at 13423 Kanis Road in Little Rock. Its clay roofing page covers new clay tile installation with a structural load assessment, repair and partial re-tile work, and sourcing matching material, with underlayment detailing for Arkansas freeze-thaw. It has been BBB accredited since 2014. Best for: partial re-tiling on an existing clay roof.

## Why Does a Clay Tile Roof Leak When the Tiles Look Fine?

Most clay tile roof leaks come from what is underneath, not the tile. Aged underlayment, failed flashings at chimneys, walls and valleys, poorly sealed penetrations, and debris trapped under the tile cause most problems. The fix is often to lift the tiles in the affected area, renew the underlayment and flashing, and relay the same tile, rather than replacing the roof.

That works because clay tile outlasts almost everything under it. The National Park Service puts the life expectancy of clay tile at generally about 100 years. In Little Rock, tile roofs under tall trees also collect leaves and debris, which hold water against the underlayment. Tile roofs in wooded settings benefit from regular cleaning, as I explain in [our video on maintaining slate and tile roofs](https://cougillroofing.com/video/).

| Problem | What you see | Usual fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cracked or broken tile | Visible crack or missing piece; leak below | Replace with matched or salvaged tile |
| Worn underlayment | Leaks with no visible tile damage | Lift tile, renew underlayment, relay the same tile |
| Failed flashing | Leaks at chimneys, walls, valleys | Replace flashing, often in copper |
| Debris under tile | Leaves and needles at the eaves and valleys; damp decking | Clean the roof; repair any underlayment damage |
| Slipped tile | Gaps in a course after wind or foot traffic | Re-secure with proper fasteners or clips |

*Source: National Park Service Preservation Brief 30, "The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs"; Cougill Roofing tile roofing service page.*

If you are weighing tile against slate for a new roof, read [slate vs. tile roofing](https://cougillroofing.com/blog/slate-vs-tile-roofing/), and see [how long each roof lasts in Arkansas](https://cougillroofing.com/blog/how-long-does-a-roof-last-in-arkansas/).

## What Should a Clay Tile Repair Estimate Include?

A clay tile repair estimate should state how many tiles will be replaced and where they come from, whether underlayment will be renewed and over what area, what metal will be used for flashing, how broken tiles will be handled during the work, and what the warranty covers. Ask for photos of the problem before work begins and of the underlayment before the tile goes back on.

When you are ready, you can [request a free estimate](https://cougillroofing.com/contact-us/) from us, and our [service areas page](https://cougillroofing.com/service-areas/) lists the communities we cover.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can old clay tiles be reused when a tile roof is repaired?

Often, yes. Sound clay tiles can be carefully removed, stacked and relaid over new underlayment and flashing, which keeps the roof's original color and character. Each tile should be checked for cracks before it goes back on. Broken tiles are replaced with salvaged or new tiles matched to the original profile and color.

### How long does a clay tile roof last?

Clay tile is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials. The National Park Service says clay tile generally lasts about 100 years. The underlayment, fasteners and flashings beneath the tile wear out sooner, so a well-maintained clay roof may need its underlayment renewed once or more while the tiles themselves are reused.

### Is my house strong enough for a clay tile roof?

It depends on the framing. Clay tile is much heavier than asphalt shingles, so a first-time installation needs a structural assessment before tile is specified. Replacing tile on a roof already framed for tile is a different question from adding tile for the first time. A contractor should check rafters and decking and tell you whether reinforcement is needed before you commit.

### Can you walk on a clay tile roof?

You should not walk on clay tile yourself. Tiles can crack under foot pressure. Experienced tile roofers know where to place their weight and use roof ladders or pads to spread it. Ask any contractor how they will protect the tile during inspection and repair.

### Where do you find replacement clay tiles for an older home?

Replacement tiles can come from the original manufacturer if the profile is still made, from companies that stock salvaged clay tile, or from tiles taken from a less visible part of your own roof. The National Park Service notes that salvaged tile can often be matched by the maker's imprint on the back of the tile.

### Do clay tile roofs need regular maintenance?

Yes, especially under trees. Leaves and debris collect on and under tile and can damage the underlayment, so tile roofs in wooded neighborhoods benefit from regular cleaning. An inspection every year or two catches cracked tiles and worn flashing early, which keeps repairs small and protects the tile for decades.

### Is concrete tile the same as clay tile?

No. Clay tile is made from fired clay, while concrete tile is molded from cement-based concrete. They differ in color options, weight and how they weather, so replacement tiles must match the type already on the roof. Many contractors, including us, work with clay, concrete and composite tile, and repairs on any of them depend mostly on the underlayment and flashing.