Extremely durable and possessing natural beauty, a slate roof has long represented the highest standard ofroofing materials.
Slate is nearly permanent.
When a slate roof is well maintained, it can last up to a century or two.
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Synthetic slate roofing should be considered along with natural slate.
Synthetic slate offers a similar look yet it has cost and installation benefits not found in natural slate.
Slate roof shingles are made from natural stone quarried directly from the earth.
One of the oldest types of roofing tiles, slate tiles are durable, waterproof, and insect-proof.
Liketerra-cottaormetal roofing, slate roofing is made entirely from inorganic materials, so the shingles never rot or decay.
Most slate shingles for homes are either random-width or constant-width.
Random-width shingles contribute to a more natural, informal look and come in at least two different widths.
Slate is also one of the most expensive roofing products on the market.
Tip
Slate shingle sizes range from 8 inches by 6 inches to 24 inches by 12 inches.
Slate shingle thicknesses are usually around 1/4 inch.
Some slate shingles are available up to 1 inch thick.
Important Slate Roofing Features
Longevity
No otherroofing material lastsas long as slate.
The life expectancy of a slate roof is anywhere from 50 to 200 years.
To compare, asphaltrolled roofing, appropriate forsheds and outbuildings, may last up to a decade.
Composite shingle roofing, the most common residential roofing material, may last up to 30 or 40 years.
Only clay or cement roofing approaches slate’s longevity, with expected lifespans of up to 100 years.
Appearance
A slate roof’s unique sheen comes from the high level of mica in the stone.
This brilliant mineral makes slate glisten when viewed from certain angles.
Slate’s other distinguishing feature is its rough-hewn appearance.
One style of slate called textural slate has uneven thicknesses of shingles with rounded edges.
Hardness
There are two types of natural slate for roofs: hard or soft slate.
Environmental Qualities
Longevity contributes to slate’s environmental qualities.
Slate can outlive several cycles of composite roofing.
On average, composite shingles need to beremoved and replacedevery 25 to 30 years.
Weight
Slate weighs two to three times more than composite shingles.
Most homes' roof systems are designed to carry that weight.
It’s important to consult with a qualified contractor or structural engineer before slating a home.
Slate Roof Costs
As with any other premium roofing product, slate roofing costs are steep.
Synthetic slate is more cost-effective, coming at roughly $6 per square foot.
Falling tree limbs that may only dent composite shingles will crack slate shingles.
Qualified professionals are best suited to handle slate roof repairs.
A support system is necessary when working on a slate roof.
In addition, slate roof repairs are difficult because the material has so many variations.
It can be difficult to source and blend matching replacements for this natural product.
The texture enhances the depth and visual interest of the shingles.
Standard Slate Roof
A standard slate roof has the opposite appearance of a textural slate roof.
The shingles are flat, smooth, and uniform in color and appearance.
The clean, elegant look of standard slate shingles complements modern architecture.
Shades of gray, green, black, and purple combine to form a harmonious palette.
Multicolored slate roofs have a striking but natural and organic look that enhances most homes.
Slate Roof Installation
Slate roof installation is not a do-it-yourself project.
In general, roofing is a project reserved for only the most highly experienced DIYers.
Plus, slate installation is a highly specialized subset of roofing that requires certain tools typically unavailable to DIYers.
These include a slate hammer, ripper, slate cutter, and a punch for creating nail holes.
Slate shingle roofing requires installers experienced in working with slate.
This means that not all areas have companies that can install slate shingle roofing.
A few quarriers sell slate directly, while most sell through distributors.
Here’s where to start:
Natural Slate vs.
Recycled rubber slate shingles are not fireproof but they are considered to be fire-resistant.
Where natural slate shingles tend to crack, slate shingles are very flexible and rarely will split.
Synthetic slate shingles are half the cost of natural slate and less than hybrid slate.
An alternative to both natural and synthetic slate is hybrid slate.
Is a Slate Roof Right For You?
Slate roofs work for homes in temperate or cold climates since slate is not considered a cool roof.
The material is also very costly as well as heavy and will require professional maintenance when the time comes.
The most common slate roof repair is replacing individual tiles that might have cracked or endured other damage.
Then they will slide a new tile in place and secure it with nails.
The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs.
National Park Service (U.S.)
Simms, D. (n.d.).
How Much Does a Slate Roof Cost?
Retrieved from Angi website: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-slate-roof-cost.htm
Recycle Plastic and Rubber Roofing Shingles.
National Park Service (U.S.)
Cool Roofs.
Department of Energy (U.S.)
