We may have to 'bite the bullet' on a new roof.

[SilverHawk]

The road is about 50/50 clay or concrete tiles.
I believe concrete tiles are heavier, would the roof need reinforcing? The roof has hips, valleys and gables.
I also believe concrete tiles slow the water, hence encouraging moss growth. There is a lot of north facing roof. Is this a problem?
Thirdly, how do you key-in or tie-in with neighbours roofs if they are different tiles.
If anyone can answer, even a tiny bit, I would be so grateful.
It's a huge undertaking for us as we have never done this before.

concrete do not last as long. They are rougher and IMO more inclined to hold moss. You can shorten their life still more by trying to have them cleaned.

I prefer the look of clay (or slate).

You are unlikely to need a new roof more often than once in a hundred years, so get a nice one. Sometimes you can incorporate insulation while it is being done.

Modern houses are insulated and draughtproofed, and water vapour rises, so I'd add extra ridge ventilarors as well as a breathable membrane (which is used instead of old felt).

Quality of workmanship is vitally important, so ask around for recommendations. It must be a local firm that's been in business for some years, with a company address and a local landline.

If you have gable walls where there is a mortar fillet (that falls out) ask if he recommends a dry verge. They are not always suitable, but reduce maintenance.

Hip tiles are rather expensive.

Ask if they will use lead or plastic valleys (not just felt).

Leadwork they may call in a specialist for a day or so, don't accept flashband or mortar which are inferior.

Thanks Piglet, I don't have gable walls. What do you mean by hip tiles? The roof just goes up to ridge tiles.
Not going to fob me off with flashband. Been there :(
This house is having it's first reroof (maybe). The cost of re seating the ridge tiles and the slipped slates is not far off in terms of labour.
I remember in our first house, we had valley problems, no idea what they were but thanks for flagging a question.
ATM the roof has clay tiles. I much prefer the look of clay tiles but I live 'in' the house. Any roof will see me out!

Any roof will 'see me out'. Love it!!

you say the roof has hips. I mean the tile that goes up the diagonal corner. They are made to suit the pitch and angle of the roof, but the roofer will measure it and (hopefully) order the right ones. A local roofer will probably have done plenty of houses by the same builder and roofers who were working a hundred years ago.

For example

Do it with clay. Concrete are horrible and you may need your roof reinforcing to take the weight.

video of a modern valley system.

They do look much neater than this with black slate, or even a flat clay tile cut neatly.

Valleys are a worry because they sometimes leak. There only seem to be two choices: top quality, or shoddy bodge. I think people too often try to patch them without stripping the tiles.

You need building regs sign off for a new roof - or it needs to be done by a member of a the competent persons scheme. Well, you need that if you plan on selling soon anyway.

I found it almost impssible to get quotes that complied with up to date building regs for a slate re roof.

Your picture of the hip tiles is very interesting because our roof doesn't have those tiles but sloping ridge tiles with a metal bit at the end (long gone :s)
This is not a modern house but Edwardian complete with sash windows so I doubt we will need extra ridge ventilators.
It comes down to clay which I prefer and cost 30% more vs. concrete and roof strengthening. Got to be clay.....I think. But if the roof is strong enough there is a big difference.

skyhook.

Yeah but think of the value you could lose in replacing with concrete.

Clay every time and given the age of the roof, it would be very likely to need strengthening in any case.

To me, clay is the winner. Our neighbours have concrete...shrug.
Olivia, do you mean when selling?
It's a good looking road and in demand, I could have a bit of tarpualin and it would sell.

Why would it need strengthening if you replace like with like?
Surely the timbers haven't weakened with age. Unless there is rot or worm?
Serious question.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant it would be highly likely to need strengthening with concrete.

I think that clay has some advantages. When we retooled we went to the same company that had completed most of the street (council stock) and specified that they used the same materials as they had used on the adjoining house. This meant concrete tiles in our case. What I would say is that modern concrete tiles are resin impregnated and should be very long lived. Four years on there is no large moss growth though there is a dark coloured patch where I think it is forming. Best of luck.