[tlb]

Installing tiles requires more skill than asphalt.

In California, because of clumsy rules around workers compensation insurance, low-skilled high-risk labor is much cheaper than high-skilled labor. As a homebuilder explained it to me: if you hire actual roofers you have to pay very high insurance rates (roofing is quite dangerous). But if you hire day laborers and tell them to install the roof, you don't. So they prefer roof designs that day laborers can install.

[jupp0r]

There are also earthquakes, during which I'd rather have shingles than concrete tiles above me.

[AtlasBarfed]

But there's wildfires, in which case you want tiles not extremely flammable petroleum products above you.

[rootusrootus]

Asphalt shingles are usually quite resistant to fire. IIRC, wildfires most often enter a structure through a window.

[londons_explore]

Installing concrete tiles requires pretty much no skill. Anyone could do it after watching a 20 min youtube video. They literally just interlock and hold each other in place. You only need to nail down edge ones. A whole roof can be done in a day by 2 people - and most of the time is spend hauling the tiles to the roof - they're heavy!!

[jayd16]

What about the rest of the country. What state predominantly installs tiled roofs?

[GenerWork]

Florida has a lot of houses with tile roofs. I think Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas also have lots of places with tile roofs due to the Southwest aesthetic.

[cptskippy]

California also has wildfires and at least in SoCal the homes primarily use a fire resistant tile or slate.

[lazide]

Haha, no. Some high end housing uses clay or tile, but the vast vast majority of roofs in California are Asphalt shingle.

[https://kelly-roofing.com/what-roof-styles-are-popular-in-ca...]