With so many roofing materials available, there are numerous factors to consider when deciding which is best for you. Many home and business owners like to consider slate — it’s one of the most high-quality roofing materials on the market.
Since slate roofs are premium roofing systems, they add an element of luxury to homes and commercial buildings. Before deciding if it’s best for you, you should weigh the pros and cons of slate roofs.
What Is Slate Roofing?
Slate is a natural stone famous for its beauty and texture. Manufacturers cut slate stones into square tiles, which roofers use to make slate roofs. Unlike other roofing materials, professional installers install slate tiles one by one to create a slate roof.
These roofs are one of the most long-lasting and gorgeous roofing systems on the market. In fact, they’re so beautiful that manufacturers create asphalt shingles to mimic the appearance of slate roofs.
The Benefits of Slate Roofing
All roofing materials have pros and cons. Here are some of the advantages of slate roofs.
1. Stunning Appearance
Many homeowners choose slate roofs because of their beauty. Slate offers a classic, clean-cut and elegant appearance. The tiles are available in various colors, widths and thicknesses to enhance any home or business’s aesthetic and allow for personalization.
2. Suitability for Historic Properties
Homes and businesses in historic districts often have slate roofs. The natural material complements these vintage property aesthetics. You’ll often see clusters of homes and businesses with slate roofs within a certain district. The result is an area with a cohesive and stunning design, thanks to slate roof tiles.
3. Energy-Efficient Choice
Slate can help you save money on your energy bills each month because it’s a dense material. This means it keeps your property cooler during the summer by preventing hot air from entering your attic. Similarly, slate prevents warmer air from escaping your attic in the winter. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will run less, lowering your utility bills.
4. Hail-Resistant Solution
Since slate is a natural stone product, it’s highly-resistant to impact damage. When tested against hail falling at 69 mph, slate shingles resisted damage and wear. Impact-resistance is critical in areas that see lots of heavy storms — choosing slate tiles ensures your roof can take on severe hail damage with ease.
5. Long-Lasting Material
A top question home or business owners have is how long do slate roofs last, and the answer is a lifetime. With proper maintenance, slate roofs can last 100 years or more, making them the longest-lasting roofing material. You’ll probably never have to replace your slate roof. In contrast, other roofing materials last a fraction of this time and will likely need replacing once or twice.
6. Environmentally Friendly Option
When you compare slate to other roofing materials, it’s more environmentally friendly. Manufacturers produce the tiles from slate stones, which occur naturally. Additionally, the tiles require less processing than other roofing materials.
7. Reclaimed Material
Some of your tiles might be reusable on the off-chance that you need to replace your slate roof. Installers can use them on another roofing project or repurpose them for garden pathways, flooring or driveways. This creates less construction waste. When you combine slate’s extremely long life span with its ability to be reclaimed into new slate components, you have a sustainable, durable material that will outlast your home.
8. Home Value Increase
Slate is a premium roofing material that lasts a lifetime and is visually appealing. These factors mean slate roofs increase a property’s resale value. If you don’t plan on living in your home or owning your business forever, investing in a slate roof can help you sell your property for a greater price than a comparable one with an asphalt shingle roof.
The Disadvantages of Slate Roofing
Its benefits show why slate is good for roofing. But knowing the advantages and potential disadvantages can help you determine if slate is the right choice for you.
Weight
Slate is a heavy material, so not every home or business can support a slate roof. For this reason, a professional can evaluate your building to ensure the frame can hold the weight of slate tiles. When you install a slate roof on a building that can’t hold its weight, the property can experience structural problems.
If your building can’t withstand the weight of a slate roof, you can have the frame retrofitted. Retrofitting your home or business means that professionals will install new framing before installing the slate roof. This will increase the overall cost of your roof, but it ensures a structurally sound solution that also grants you the benefits of slate.
Cost
Slate roofs can be more of an investment compared to other roof tile options. However, the money you pay upfront for your slate roof will balance out over the years. This means that slate roofs pay for themselves by:
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- Lasting a long time
- Having high durability
- Increasing your home or business’s resale value
- Enhancing your property’s curb appeal with their stunning appearance
Installation
Slate roofing requires specialized knowledge, tools and training to ensure the tiles are installed correctly. The higher cost of slate roofing and the expert knowledge needed for installation means you want to ensure you choose a highly experienced professional for the job.
Without a slate expert, your roof could end up with installation errors, making the project expensive once corrections are made. Always use a reputable slate professional for slate installation to protect your investment and ensure you get the best roofing job possible.
Foot Traffic Damage
Despite its durability, slate doesn’t resist foot traffic. If you hire someone to clean your gutters, they could damage your tiles by walking all over them, so ensure they stay off the roof unless absolutely necessary. You should also only hire professionals who inspect your roof by drone. Drone inspections protect your roof from damage while providing a thorough roof examination.
Choose Cornett Roofing Systems for Your Slate Roof Installation
It’s essential to hire a contractor with the experience to handle slate when you want a slate roof. Cornett Roofing Systems is a family-owned, full-service roofing contractor with decades of experience. We specialize in premium roofing systems, including slate, tile, copper and metal. Our professional installers have the certifications to install products from the Vermont Slate Company.
Cornett Roofing Systems is Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana’s premier installer for slate roofing. As members of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association, we have the experience and training to efficiently and expertly install your slate roof. Contact us to receive a free estimate for the roof of your dreams.