Is a Slate Roof Right for You? Here’s What to Know

For those looking to replace their roof, there’s more choice than ever. You have your pick of materials, and a slate roof will be a good option. What makes it so popular, and why should you consider it? Here’s what you need to know.

Benefits of a Slate Roof

There are lots of reasons why a slate roof may be the best option for your home. Here’s why many people are looking at using this material in their homes.

Highly Attractive

The aesthetic appeal of your roof will always be a concern, so you’ll need to keep that in mind when making a decision. This is one of the most important reasons why some homeowners choose slate as a roofing material. As such, curb appeal will be a factor in your final decision. Slate is one of the most attractive roofing materials you can use right now in your home.

That’s thanks to its properties as a natural material. It offers a timeless appeal that’s highly unique. No two slate tiles will be the same, so you’ll have a roof that’s just that little bit different from everyone else’s. You can get slate tiles in a range of colors, too, including black, red, gray, green, and even purple. There’s going to be a slate tile to suit everyone out there.

Long Lasting

Another critical aspect of any roofing material is its longevity. Replacing your roof is a serious investment, so you’ll want the material to last as long as possible. Slate roofing has the advantage here as it’s a very long-lasting material. It’s one of the longest-lasting ones out there, as they can last up to a century. Of course, if you want it to last that long, you must take good care of it. If you do, you won’t need to worry about your roof or needing a new one for a very long time.

Fire Safety

Something that you should have in mind when you’re considering roofing materials is fire safety. It’s so easy for a misaimed firework or a stray ember from a neighboring home fire to land on the roof, and you don’t want it to start burning. You may not have considered that, but it’s more important than you’d think. That’s why slate is such a good choice, as it’s fireproof. That gives it a Class A fire rating, the best you can get. That way, you’ll be protected from anything that could lead to fire on your roof.

Eco-Friendly Materials

More homeowners are considering the environmental costs of their home renovations, including roof replacements. There’s no denying that changing the roof will impact the planet. However, you can help reduce that by picking the right roofing materials. Slate is an excellent choice in this regard, as it’s one of the most eco-friendly options on the market.

This is primarily thanks to its longevity when compared to other materials. An asphalt shingle roof, for example, will need to be replaced once every 30 years on average. All those shingles are going to end up in a landfill. The slate roof lasts for decades, so there’s much less waste being created.

Drawbacks of a Slate Roof

As well as benefits, there will be some drawbacks to having a slate roof installed. Make sure you’re aware of the following before making a decision.

Cost

This is the biggest drawback to having a slate roof installed. As they’re so hard-wearing and long-lasting, they will cost more to have installed. Slate tiles will also need the right expertise to be installed, contributing to the cost. However, you’ll want to consider what you’re getting for that money. As the roof lasts for so long and will stay in excellent condition for such a long time, you won’t have to spend money on another roof in 30 years. You’ll also benefit from being fireproof and eco-friendly, so it is worth the cost for many.

Heavy Weight

One thing you need to consider when picking a roofing material is its weight. While slate has a lot of advantages, it is very heavy. That’s something you need to consider, as your roof deck needs to be able to take the weight. You don’t want the roof to cave in because you’ve put heavy slate on top of it. If you do want slate, a good roofing company will come and inspect your roof deck first. If they feel that it won’t support the weight, they’ll be able to reinforce it before they replace the roofing material for you. 

Installation Expertise

You’d think that all roofers can easily install a slate roof, but that isn’t the case. In many instances, you’ll see that the roofers you’re contacting don’t have the experience of installing them. If they offer to install it anyway, you should be wary. Slate roofs require slightly different skills than other roofing materials, so you’ll need a team who knows how to do it.

This is especially because although slate lasts long, it’s surprisingly easy to break or weaken in the installation process. Thanks to its natural quality, you don’t want to deal with that, as slate is hard to match and replace. As such, ensure you’re hiring an expert to handle the installation process for you.

Conclusion

These are some pros and cons of having a slate roof installed, Slate looks stunning and will last for decades when well installed and taken care of. Contact your local roofing contractor today if you’re interested in installing slate roofing.