Used roof tiles in Australia typically range from $1.50 to $5 per field tile for common concrete varieties, $10–$20 for ridges and accessories, and $100+ for rare decorative pieces like terracotta finials. Pricing depends on material type, condition, rarity, quantity purchased, and where you buy, with reclamation yards offering batch-matched tiles at premium rates compared to private marketplace listings.
At Roof Tile Recyclers, we process thousands of tiles monthly and consistently see terracotta heritage profiles commanding 3–5x the price of standard concrete due to discontinued mould codes and restoration demand.
What Determines Used Tile Value?
Material & Profile Type
Terracotta tiles hold value the longest. Glazed varieties from discontinued lines (Wunderlich profiles, vintage Monier French patterns) regularly fetch $3–$8 per tile because homeowners need exact colour matches for repairs.
Concrete tiles like standard Monier or Bristile profiles sell for $1.50–$3 when common, but obscure 1980s–1990s profiles can reach $4–$6 if you’re the only supplier with batch-matched stock.
Slate commands $8–$12 per piece, depending on thickness and dimension. Architectural salvage buyers pay premiums for consistent grading.
Ridges, hips, and valleys price differently from field tiles. Expect $10–$15 for concrete ridge pieces, $15–$25 for terracotta, because fewer survive demolition intact.
Condition & Batch Matching
Reclamation yards grade tiles by:
- Structural integrity: Cracks, chips, spalling
- Surface condition: Lichen growth, glaze retention, fade patterns
- Batch coherence: Matching mould codes and colour runs
A tile with minor lichen but perfect structural integrity sells at 80–90% of “like-new” pricing. Tiles with hairline cracks drop to 40–50% value or become scrap-only at $0.50 per tile.
Batch matching drives premium pricing. A homeowner replacing 12 tiles on a 1970s Bristile roof will pay $6–$8 per tile to avoid a patchwork appearance, even when identical profiles sell for $2 in mixed lots.
Rarity & Discontinuation
Discontinued profiles create micro-markets. When Monier or Bristile retires a mould, existing stock becomes the only supply for:
- Heritage restoration projects
- Insurance repairs on older homes
- Body corporate buildings maintain a uniform appearance
We’ve seen 1960s Wunderlich Mediterranean profiles sell for $12–$15 per tile simply because no modern equivalent exists. Builders and tilers contact us specifically for obsolete roof tile matching on heritage-listed properties.
Quantity Purchased
|
Purchase Type |
Price Impact |
Typical Buyer |
|
Single tiles (1–20) |
Highest per-unit cost |
Homeowner repairs |
|
Bundles (50–200) |
15–25% discount |
Small reroofs, colour tests |
|
Pallets (500+) |
30–40% discount |
Commercial jobs, builders |
Pallet pricing includes a 5–10% breakage allowance. Factor in delivery ($150–$400 depending on distance and forklift access) when comparing total landed cost.
Real Australian Pricing Examples
Common Concrete Field Tiles
Reclamation yards like Royce Roofing price high-volume concrete at $1.50–$2.50 per tile. Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace listings for Monier Centurion or similar profiles average $5 per tile in smaller quantities.
Terracotta & Specialty Pieces
- Mixed terracotta ridges at recycled building centres: $11 each
- Glazed terracotta field tiles (1980s Bristile): $4–$7 per tile
- Decorative finials and end caps: $100–$150 each (architectural salvage market)
Slate Variations
- Reclaimed slate in standard dimensions: $8–$9 per piece
- Large-format heritage slate (pre-1950): $12–$18 per piece at specialist yards
Where Prices Vary: Channels & Sellers
Reclamation Yards (Roof Tile Recyclers, RoofBros, Sunshine Roofing)
- Grade and clean tiles before sale
- Provide batch-matching services
- Offer delivery and sometimes limited warranties
- Price 20–40% higher than private sellers
- Best for: Restoration projects, insurance jobs, quality-critical applications
Online Marketplaces (Gumtree, eBay, Facebook)
- Mixed condition, sold “as-is.”
- Pickup only in most cases
- Price 30–50% lower, but inconsistent quality
- Best for: DIY projects, large quantity purchases where sorting is acceptable
Direct from Demolition
- Cheapest option if you can collect
- Requires cleaning, grading, and transport
- Risk of damage during removal
- Best for: Experienced renovators with time and equipment
At Roof Tile Recyclers, we sit between marketplace chaos and premium architectural salvage, offering curated stock with material expertise at transparent pricing. Our Bristile and Monier ranges include discontinued profiles that contractors can’t source elsewhere.
Hidden Costs That Impact Real Value
Transport & Logistics
- Palletised delivery within Sydney Metro: $150–$250
- Regional NSW delivery (Newcastle, Wollongong): $300–$450
- Forklift unloading requirements can add $100–$200 at the destination
Breakage Allowance
- Industry standard: 5–10% breakage on second-hand tiles
- Calculate your order 10% over the actual requirement
Roof Tile Recyclers photographs stock condition and documents pre-delivery state to avoid disputes, standard practice at professional yards, rare at private sales.
Cleaning & Preparation
- Professional pressure washing: $0.50–$1 per tile if you’re selling
- DIY cleaning: 2–4 hours per 100 tiles using pressure washing equipment
- Tiles with heavy lichen or organic growth sell for 40–60% less than clean stock
Selling Your Used Tiles: What Buyers Pay
Buyback Rates at Recyclers
- Common concrete (Monier, Bristile standard profiles): $0.50–$1.50 per tile
- Terracotta in good condition: $2–$4 per tile
- Rare or discontinued profiles: $3–$8 per tile (we assess on-site)
- Slate and premium materials: Negotiated based on grade, typically $5–$10 per piece
- Minimum quantities apply; most recyclers require 200+ tiles to justify collection costs.
Maximizing Resale Value
- Identify your tiles accurately, brand, profile, and era affect pricing dramatically
- Photograph mould codes on the underside (manufacturers’ stamp profiles here)
- Bundle by type, mixed lots sell for 30–50% less than sorted batches
- Remove loose mortar and debris; buyers pay more for “roof-ready” stock
- Calculate realistic quantities, deduct damaged tiles from your count
At Roof Tile Recyclers, we offer same-day assessment and payment for viable stock. Our team evaluates material on-site and provides transparent grading before purchase.
When Used Tiles Make Financial Sense
Repair & Restoration Projects
- Buying 10–50 tiles to match the existing roof: Always cheaper than full reroof
- Heritage property maintenance: Often the only option for discontinued profiles
- Insurance claims with “match existing” requirements: Used tiles avoid full replacement costs
Sustainability Considerations
Every reused tile diverts approximately 2.5kg of material from landfill and eliminates the embodied energy of manufacturing new tiles (estimated 0.8–1.2 kg CO₂ equivalent per concrete tile).
Choosing second-hand terracotta or concrete tiles aligns with green building certifications and reduces project carbon footprint by 40–60% compared to new material.
Roof Tile Recyclers processes tiles through sustainable sorting and cleaning systems, ensuring maximum reuse and minimal waste.
Large-Scale Projects
Bulk purchases for commercial reroofs: 30–50% cost savings vs new tiles
Developer projects matching existing building aesthetics: Consistency without premium pricing
Budget-constrained renovations: Second-hand tiles free up capital for structural or aesthetic upgrades elsewhere
Used vs New: The Cost Reality
|
Material |
New Price/Tile |
Used Price/Tile |
Savings |
|
Standard concrete |
$3.50–$5 |
$1.50–$3 |
40–55% |
|
Monier terracotta |
$8–$12 |
$3–$6 |
50–60% |
|
Bristile concrete |
$4–$6 |
$2–$4 |
35–50% |
|
Slate (reclaimed) |
N/A (heritage only) |
$8–$18 |
Unavailable new |
New tiles include manufacturer warranties (typically 30–50 years) and guaranteed availability. Used tiles sacrifice warranty but deliver immediate cost savings and environmental benefits.
For obsolete profiles, used tiles aren’t a budget choice; they’re the only choice. Our visualiser tool helps customers preview how matched tiles will appear on their existing roof.
Professional Buyer’s Checklist
Before purchasing:
- Verify profile codes against your existing tiles (photos + measurements)
- Inspect a 10% sample for cracks, spalling, and colour consistency
- Confirm delivery method and unloading requirements
- Calculate 5–10% overage for breakage and future repairs
- Request photos of actual stock (not generic images)
On delivery:
- Check tile count immediately
- Separate damaged pieces before acceptance
- Document the condition for any warranty claims
- Store properly (stacked, not leaned; covered from the weather)
Roof Tile Recyclers provides detailed product photography for online orders and allows on-site inspection at our Prospect, NSW facility for local buyers.
Making the Decision: Your Roof, Your Budget
Used roof tiles deliver measurable savings when you need batch-matched replacements, work on heritage properties, or manage large-scale projects with tight budgets. Pricing from $1.50 to $100+ per tile reflects material quality, rarity, and market positioning, not an arbitrary markup.
Roof Tile Recyclers combines decades of roofing expertise with Australia’s largest inventory of new, used, and obsolete tiles. Whether you need a single replacement tile or a full pallet for commercial work, our team matches your requirements to available stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a small quantity of used tiles?
Most recyclers require 200+ tiles minimum. For smaller quantities (20–100), try local marketplace listings or contact us for a special assessment; rare profiles may qualify regardless of quantity.
How do I identify my tile brand and profile?
Check the underside for stamped codes. Monier and Bristile tiles include mould numbers and date codes. Send photos to our tile identification service, and we match against our database of discontinued profiles.
Are 30-year-old terracotta tiles still usable?
Absolutely. Quality terracotta from Monier, Bristile, or Wunderlich easily lasts 60–100 years. We verify structural integrity through impact testing and visual inspection before sale.
Do used tiles come with any warranty?
Professional reclamation yards like Roof Tile Recyclers guarantee tiles are free from concealed defects at the time of sale. We don’t warranty against future breakage or installation damage, standard for second-hand building materials.
Is it worth salvaging tiles from my own reroof?
If you have 300+ tiles in good condition from terracotta or discontinued concrete profiles, yes. Common modern tiles may not justify the labour unless you’re storing them for future repairs.
