Is there a local real estate agent who specializes in historic houses? They may be able to refer you to a consultant. You have a gem of a house. There may be significant damage to its historical and monetary value if you choose not to use a similar roof, but much depends on your local area. What's highly valued in one area may be irrelevant elsewhere.

I'm in a region where the historic roof adds value, in other places the cost of the repair could equal the resale value of the house.

There are vintage tiles available but $$$$$! We’ve had two days of heavy rain and two leaks in the house...ugh. I’ll repost this on the old house forum.

Are you by any chance in the Twin Cities?

We are in the St. Louis area.

We used to live in StL and know those wonderful green tile roofs very well. They are iconic and irreplaceable. The house will lose much of its charm and elegance with a lesser roof. So many have been torn down or off the architectural salvage yards must have plenty of stock; 20 years ago they were routinely offered for sale in the classifieds (remember those?) I'd do almost anything to save that roof!

U City used to have a program to help homeowners preserve important architectural features; don't know which town you're in, but have you looked for either city or neighborhood assistance programs? Might also be worth a shout out to your neighbors for spare tiles. Most folks save them if they are taken off for a renovation. New tiles that are a pretty close match are also made, I looked into them for roofing my pizza oven. Ended up with slate because the minimum order for tile was too large.

If you have a section of roof that's not so visible you can re-roof it with the new tiles and then use the good ones you take off for repairs without having to get a perfect color match.

A few years ago we bought a few hundred extra tiles and stored them in our shed. That was great until a tree fell right through the middle of the shed and destroyed every one! We had to fight with our insurance carrier over that too. Finally got replaced then a neighbors tree fell on our house during a storm! State Farm cancelled our policy after the shed damage. Erie covered the damage from neighbors tree. No trees left to hurt anything now...just hail!

The tile roof makes your house so distinctive that it would be a shame to replace it with something else.

Perhaps you could find a stockpile of them somewhere else in the country. The shipping charges might be a lot less than the price of the tiles in your area.

I hope you can get replacement tiles, because you house is "to die for" gorgeous.

Found this with a google search--has a good look to it--

https://www.bravarooftile.com/roof-tiles/barrel-tile/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqY_pnOew6gIVhYbACh26YwGkEAAYAiAAEgJRRvD_BwE

Obviously I know exactly Zero about the product.

Would be a shame to have to lose the tile roof, for sure. But you have a great looking house and it will still look great with a different roof on it if it has to come to that.

I would be upset of insurance didn't cover replacing what was there!!! Insurance companies are evil.

Agree with others: stunning home, keep the character of the roof whether through clay or composite.

Thanks cilantro...interesting product.

1929Spanish

hi, I don’t mean to hijack a thread but where is this “Old House Forum” you speak of? I’m in a 245 year old house and I struggle for ideas and period renovation materials.

thanks for your help.

These could be useful resources as well for the OP and Anna above.

https://www.oldhouseguy.com/

https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/

https://www.vandykes.com/

@Anna Devane

Maybe this forum is what they meant? https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/oldhouse

Wow Anna thanks. I can't figure out why I can't find garden web/old house on Houzz? it is a Houzz forum no?

Love your roof! We had two homes in U City with those roofs 20 years ago. Since moved away for work and miss these great homes. In our first home, the roof was estimated to cost more than the value of the home to fully replace with the same tile, so we focused on regular upkeep as it sounds you have done. I hope it is viable to repair vs replace with an asphalt shingle. The roof really does contribute to the home’s appeal. Best of luck to you. Maybe I’ll be able to live in one of these gems again someday!

@Anna Devane It used to be that all the forums were listed under a tab but now I had edit my selections at the side of the screen on the “discussions“ home page to be able to find it. Gardenweb became all jacked up when Houzz took over.

Ajrlittle...we are in edwardsville. There are three houses built by the same family that owned a lumber yard. We all have really special elements. Our dining room is walnut paneled and fireplace has authentic Batchelder tiles.

Anna thank you. Had no idea all that existed

Tootsie your home is beautiful. I hope you are able to find your tiles.

Fireplace is beautiful and I love the shape of the opening.

I love watching Restored, he’s used Batchelder tiles several time. Love the home.

One of our fireplaces had VERY similar tile! Beautiful. I haven’t found many options as nice as these in new tile, at least within a reasonable budget. You’ve got me missing my old homes. So much charm. Enjoy!

My previous house had a green tile roof with tile by Ludowici tile which is still producing roof tiles. Unfortunately, today's green tile does not match the vintage green which actually has flecks of gold that aren't apparent at a distance but clearly noticeable from a few feet away.

Our first damage was from raccoons breaking corners on their way up to the chimney. Those tiles were accessible from a ladder at the edge of the roof. We obtained some replacement vintage tiles of a very close color match and same width but they had to be shortened and drilled. Those tiles were on the back of the house so not easily visible, especially being completely under a tree canopy.

The only insurance claim we had was from a tree branch which broke several field tile, perhaps 20, and two ridge tiles. The tile roof company thought they would be able to source the tile but eventually gave up after a few months for the field tile. The roofers came out and relocated tiles from the back of the house and tarped off the donor section. Despite being warned to not pull tiles from the end rows, the roofers thought they would be slick and use the easiest tiles to remove. The guy doing the work said it wouldn't be noticeable so my partner walked him across the street to have a good look. Then my partner proceeded to point out the first round replacements which had been moved to ultra visible locations. That one, that one there and now next row up...pointed them out by row and column. An average person or an average house might not have made a difference but don't expect that the eagle eye of a paint contractor won't catch that attempt at a short cut.

After searching the vintage tile salvage network, the supplier finally conceded that they would have to make replacements. The tile makers were somewhere on the east coast and sent out different sample glazes for review. I think we had three rounds before the match was reasonably close.

We were paying for replacement cost coverage so the insurance company paid to fix the roof. They asked us to get three estimates but we could only find two contractors and the second one rescheduled one appointment then didn't show up or answer calls. We told the insurance company that unless they could provide referrals, we were out of ideas. We had been concerned about the possibility of being underinsured for the quality and cost of potential repairs or replacements so our agent had upgraded the policy from standard coverage as it was a higher end architect designed home.

The tile roof is such a part of the appearance of the house that I would be very reluctant to replace with an ordinary roof. There are some higher end roofing products that would look appropriate but total replacement would probably be more money than fixing the existing issues. If the insurance company will pay to replace the roof with a suitable choice, it might be worth considering but if they are just offering standard shingles, it wouldn't be a deal. The tile roof is part of the market value of the house and you are paying for insurance to repair damage in such a manner that it doesn't change the character of the house or lower the value.

Absolutely love the Batchelder tile fireplace—gorgeous! A couple years ago, there was a poster on here with a nearly identical fireplace who was looking for advice as to ripping it out or tiling over it. Sadly, much of the responses here were to "rip out that ugly fireplace tile." Nice to see that you have been such a good steward to this home. I'm hoping that you'll find an option to save your green Spanish tile roof. Best of luck!