Roof tiles scarce, soaring in price

Roof tiles scarce, soaring in price: "PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- March 20, 2006 -- Homeowners desperate to repair cracked or broken roof tiles are taking matters into their own hands. Literally.

'People are going to places where roofs are being repaired to try and get salvaged tiles that are not damaged,' said Robert Bryson, an associate broker with Mersky Realty Group. 'It's, 'Hey can I have a couple of roof tiles?' Because they can't get them anywhere else.'

Clay: It's the new gold.

An unpublished survey conducted by the Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association reports that since late 2004, the cost of clay roof tiles has doubled from $500 to $1,000 per 100 square feet. At about $700 per 100 square feet, concrete tiles are a little less expensive, but you'll need to take a number and be seated: Delivery delays that last year stretched from six to eight months are now running between nine months and a year."