Mediterranean Tile Roofing in Oregon – Elegant, Lightweight Alternative

Traditional clay or concrete tiles can add 18,000–45,000 lbs of dead weight on a roof, burdening your home’s structure – a serious issue in Oregon’s seismic zone. 

Interlock’s Mediterranean Metal Tile provides the same classic barrel-tile look but at just 70 lbs per 100 sq ft (about 0.7 lb/ft²), making it ~96% lighter than heavy clay. This drastic weight reduction means less stress on your rafters and better safety during earthquakes (heavy roofs exacerbate instability during tremors). Despite its lightness, each panel is made from high-grade 0.028” thick aluminum for strength, and it uses a four-way interlocking design for structural rigidity. You get the luxurious charm of a Spanish tile roof without requiring expensive structural reinforcements. The lighter load can even save on construction costs and gives peace of mind in Oregon’s earthquake-prone areas. With Interlock, you achieve timeless Mediterranean beauty and structural security in one. 

(For a personalized assessment of your home’s needs, we invite you to request a free consultation.)

You’re correct – traditional concrete and clay tiles are porous and can absorb moisture, which then freezes and causes cracking or spalling if they aren’t regularly sealed. 

In fact, concrete tiles become brittle in cold weather; the freeze/thaw cycle takes a toll on them, making their fragility a major downside in our climate. 

By contrast, Interlock’s aluminum Mediterranean tiles are non-porous and impervious to water absorption, so Oregon’s frost and ice have no effect on them. (Clay tiles can absorb up to 15% of their weight in water, growing even heavier and more prone to freeze damage. 

Our metal tiles won’t crack, split, or become brittle in winter – they’re engineered for extreme climates. Plus, the Alunar® Coating on Interlock tiles resists corrosion and seals out moisture, ensuring your roof remains intact through Oregon’s wet winters. 

The result is a roof that endures cold mountain nights and freeze-thaw cycles without the maintenance headaches of sealing or replacing cracked tiles. 

(Feel free to contact us for an on-site demonstration of our tile’s cold-weather durability.)

Yes – one huge benefit of Interlock’s metal tile in our damp climate is its resistance to moss and organic growth. Traditional clay and concrete tiles have rough, porous surfaces that retain moisture and organic material, practically inviting moss and lichen to grow. 

By contrast, Interlock’s aluminum tiles have a smooth, inert surface with a high-performance coating that doesn’t harbor moisture. 

As one Oregon homeowner observed, “in the NW any roof is going to grow moss; except a metal roof”. They struggled with constant moss removal on their old roof – climbing up with brushes and chemicals – but after installing Interlock, it became a “problem I can look back at and smile”. 

The metal tiles shed water quickly and dry faster, so moss has difficulty taking hold. Debris like leaves and pine needles also tend to slide off the slick surface (especially since the panels interlock with no gaps for debris to lodge). The result is a dramatically lower maintenance roof – no more yearly moss treatments or slippery roof cleanings. 

Your Interlock roof will retain its pristine look with just occasional rinsing, staying moss-free and elegant even in Portland’s drizzle or the Coast’s salty fog. 

(We welcome you to schedule a no-obligation roof inspection or demo – see firsthand how our roofs stay clean in the Northwest climate.)

Fire safety is paramount, and Interlock’s Mediterranean Metal Tile excels here. While traditional clay tiles are non-combustible, they often have gaps that can let embers penetrate to the underlayment. Our aluminum tiles interlock tightly on all sides, minimizing any openings. Moreover, the system can be configured to achieve a Class A Fire Rating (the highest possible) for the entire roof assembly. This means it’s proven to resist severe fire exposure – crucial for homes in forested areas or near the dry Gorge winds. A Class A roof protects your home from fire caused by wind-blown sparks and embers, which has been a real worry for 

Oregon homeowners after recent wildfire seasons. In fact, many insurance companies favor Class A roofs, and having one may improve insurability in high-risk zones. 

Interlock’s metal tile is made of non-combustible aluminum and uses hidden fasteners (no exposed wood or combustible parts), so flying embers simply burn out on the roof without igniting anything. Several of our Portland-area clients chose Interlock specifically for peace of mind in wildfire country, knowing their roof meets the strictest fire codes. 

You’ll get authentic Mediterranean style with modern fire protection – an important combination in our era of hotter, drier summers. 

(For more information on Class A installations or to see a fire-resistant tile sample, please reach out for a free consultation.)

Interlock Mediterranean Tile is designed for extreme wind resistance, far beyond what most roofs can handle. Traditional concrete tiles are heavy but can still shift or lift if not secured well, and once a few tiles blow off, others are exposed. In contrast, Interlock’s roofing panels interlock on all four sides and use hidden fasteners, essentially forming a continuous shield. This design leaves virtually no area for wind to penetrate or lift the tiles . 

The result is a system rated to withstand winds of 120 mph or more in laboratory tests – that’s equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. In fact, metal roofs like Interlock have been observed enduring gusts up to 180 mph with minimal damage. For context, Oregon’s fiercest coastal storms and Gorge wind events are well below that threshold, so you can have full confidence your roof will stay put. 

Every Interlock tile is securely fastened and overlaps the next, preventing the “domino effect” loss that can happen with individual clay tiles in a windstorm. This system easily handles the high winds we get on the Oregon Coast, in Astoria, The Dalles, and other exposed locales. 

The added bonus: because fasteners are concealed, there are no exposed nail heads to loosen or leak over time. Bottom line: our Mediterranean metal tile gives you the elegant look you want, plus rugged performance in Oregon’s windstorms.

(We’d be happy to discuss our wind warranties or show you a demonstration of the panel locking system – just ask for a wind-performance consultation.)

Interlock Mediterranean Tile is built to take a hit. Whereas a severe hailstorm can crack or shatter clay tiles (or knock them loose), our aluminum tiles boast a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, the highest in the industry. 

This means in standardized tests a 2-inch steel ball is dropped from 20 feet onto the metal tile and no damage or cracking occurs – a level of resilience traditional tiles simply can’t match. In real terms, the roof can withstand hail and wind-blown debris without punctures or leaks. The heavy-gauge 0.028″ aluminum panels are tough yet slightly flexible, so they absorb and dissipate impact energy rather than cracking. 

Oregon doesn’t get hail often, but when it does (or when fir limbs fall during a storm), you’ll appreciate that your roof is Class 4 hail-rated and impervious to typical damage. This top impact rating can also benefit your wallet: installing Class 4 roofing materials can potentially earn you lower insurance premiums, since insurers know your roof is less likely to suffer storm damage. 

It’s one more way Interlock provides long-term peace of mind. To see this durability for yourself, you can request a demo – we’ll show you a sample tile and what it takes to even put a ding in it!

One of the joys of an Interlock roof is how minimal-maintenance it is, even in our wet, mossy climate. First, our Mediterranean tiles are aluminum – so they will not rust, ever. 

Unlike steel materials, aluminum naturally resists corrosion (and it’s further protected by our durable Alunar® Coating). 

Many coastal Oregon homeowners choose Interlock specifically because salt air and constant rain are non-issues for this roof. 

There’s also no routine painting needed; the baked-on finish won’t peel or flake. The interlocking design and hidden fasteners mean there are no loose shingles to refasten and no exposed nails to reseal. And unlike traditional tile roofs, you won’t face the major job of replacing the underlayment every 20 years (which is common under clay tile due to leaks and degradation) – with Interlock, the aluminum surface shields the underlayment from UV and water, greatly extending its life. 

Homeowners report that debris and snow tend to slide off, so aside from occasionally clearing your gutters or rinsing off autumn leaves, there’s little to do. You’ll also never have to worry about replacing cracked tiles or moss removal treatments (as mentioned, moss can’t easily grab hold on the smooth panels). 

In short, Interlock provides a truly “set-it-and-forget-it” roofing solution. We’re so confident in its long-term performance that it comes with a Lifetime limited warranty – which includes a 50-year transferable coverage for material and performance. This means you won’t be climbing ladders for repairs every few years; instead, you can enjoy your home knowing your roof is handling Oregon’s elements with ease.

(If you’d like to know more about maintenance or have us inspect your current roof’s condition, we’re happy to offer a free service consultation.)

Interlock’s Mediterranean Metal Tile is an excellent choice for the eco-conscious homeowner. For starters, our aluminum roofing is made from a high proportion of recycled material and is fully recyclable at the end of its life – unlike broken concrete tiles, which often end up in landfills. 

The production and transport of our lightweight tiles also use fewer resources (being ~96% lighter than concrete tile means less fuel and structural material needed). 

Once installed, the environmental benefits continue. The Alunar® Coating on Interlock roofs is engineered to reflect solar energy and reduce heat absorption, which can lower your cooling costs in Oregon’s hot summer months. Many of our color options are Cool Roof Rated, helping to keep your home naturally cooler and reducing HVAC energy use. (In fact, a reflective metal roof can cut cooling demand by 10-25% on average.) 

Additionally, by choosing a long-lasting roof, you’re avoiding the environmental cost of re-roofing every couple decades – our system’s longevity means less roofing waste over time. 

Oregon is a place where sustainability matters, and we’re proud that Interlock roofs contribute to green building: they reduce urban heat island effects and support energy efficiency. 

Finally, if you ever plan to add solar panels, our metal tile roof is solar-compatible – we offer brackets that allow secure installation of solar panels without penetrating the roof. 

In summary, you’ll enjoy a beautiful Mediterranean-style roof that not only saves you on energy bills but also aligns with your environmental values. 

(For more details on energy savings or to see our sustainability credentials, please reach out – we’d love to discuss how Interlock can be part of your eco-friendly home plans.)

We designed Interlock Mediterranean Tile specifically to honor the classic look of Old-World clay roofs while offering modern advantages. Visually, our metal tile is nearly indistinguishable from traditional barrel tile when on the roof – it features a high-barrel profile that creates deep shadow lines and an elegant curved texture just like clay tiles. In fact, it was “inspired by the luxurious look of traditional Mediterranean tile, without the heavy weight”. 

Homeowners love that they can retain their Spanish or Tuscan architectural style authentically. We offer a palette of 9 designer colors to match classic terra-cotta hues and more: from rich Tile Red and warm Tuscan Copper tones, to earthy Colonial Brown, Tudor Brown, Musket Grey, Hunter Green, Deep Charcoal, Black, even Solid Copper for a distinctive touch. This means you can complement your stucco, stone, or adobe exterior perfectly – whether you have a coastal villa in Astoria, a vineyard estate in the Willamette Valley, or a Spanish Revival home in Portland. 

The coating finish has a low-gloss, natural look, so it doesn’t appear shiny or “metallic” from the street. And because the panels have no exposed fasteners, the roof has a clean, seamless look just like traditional tile (no visible screws or seams). In short, you get all the curb appeal of a Mediterranean tile roof – the classic silhouette, the timeless color – with the added benefit that it will never fade or weather like clay.

In fact, a beautiful Interlock roof can even boost your resale value by enhancing curb appeal while prospective buyers also appreciate its performance. If you’re aiming for authentic Mediterranean charm, Interlock delivers it in spades, with the refined quality expected in high-end homes. 

(We’d be delighted to show you samples of our tiles and color swatches – feel free to request a home visit for an aesthetic consultation.)

An Interlock roof is a lifetime investment in your home, and it absolutely adds value. Financially, while the upfront cost is higher than an ordinary roof, it’s likely the last roof you’ll ever need. Many savvy homeowners consider the cost of multiple reroofs over decades – one Interlock roof versus 2-4 shingle roofs – and realize it’s actually a smart long-term decision.

In the words of one Oregon client, with Interlock it’s “one roof versus four or five, an increased property value, a beautiful self-cleaning roof… and peace of mind”. Because our roof is so durable and comes with a Lifetime Limited, 50-Year Transferable Warranty, it can actually increase resale value – prospective buyers see a gorgeous tile roof that they won’t have to replace, ever, and a warranty that transfers to them. A premium roof is also viewed favorably by appraisers and can set your property apart in the marketplace as a high-quality, luxury home. 

Beyond value, consider the intangible benefits: you get decades of worry-free protection, knowing your roof will perform in Oregon’s rain, wind, and sun without issues. 

Interlock has over 27 years of experience in the Pacific Northwest (6,000+ installations), and a local presence right here in Oregon – with service from Portland Metro and the Willamette Valley to the Oregon Coast, Salem, Eugene, The Dalles, and beyond. That means we’re not some fly-by-night company; we have a long-standing reputation for quality in our region. 

Our local lead-hands are factory-trained and Interlock-certified, and we’re committed to supporting your roof for the long haul (annual inspections, any service needs, etc.). In short, you’re getting a roof that provides luxury-grade performance and boosts your home’s value, backed by a company with deep roots in the Oregon community. Most importantly, you gain peace of mind – which, for many of our clients, is the biggest ROI of all. 

We invite you to schedule a free consultation or visit our Portland showroom to discuss your project; let us show you how a Interlock Mediterranean roof can be the last roof you’ll ever install, and a decision you’ll be glad you made.