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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SLATE ROOFS

Slate was and still is a highly desirable roofing material.  Slate as a roofing material goes back centuries.  Initially, slate was seen as a ready-made building material, safe against insect infestation and fire.  Today, slate has the same qualities, except it also has a cachet or mystique not held by other types of roofing products.   Slate roofing even has such an appeal that replica slate roofing made of rubber and other synthetic products is sometimes used.

What Is Slate Shingle Roofing

True slate roof shingles are 100-percent natural stone with no additives.  Much like natural granite counters, slate roofing is quarried directly from the earth.  Slate can be identified by the way the light hits it from a certain angle.  This is due to slate tile’s high mica content. Some slate can have up to 40-percent mica content.  So, not only is it the texture of the stone that creates its unique look—it’s that low-level shine, as well.   One reason for slate’s superior quality is its cleavage abilities.  Think of a good piece of slate much like a deck of cards.  Because slate is a sedimentary rock, it is formed of many layers, and these layers can cleave, or slice, off like the individual cards in a deck of cards.  Slate shingle roofing requires installers who are experts at working with slate. Because of this, not all areas have companies that can install slate shingle roofing.

Is Slate Roofing Good?

Slate roofs offer excellent protection from water, as the material itself is formed from hundreds of thin layers of mostly impermeable stone.  Slate is also an excellent natural insulator that performs better than many other roofing materials, so a slate roof is a relatively eco-friendly option.  Slate roofing shingles are also highly durable, and a slate roof can last about four times as long as an asphalt shingle roof.  The primary downsides to installing a slate roof are the price and the weight.  Slate roofs are the most expensive roofing option with the exception of solar shingles. Slate is also quite heavy and can bring about or exacerbate structural issues in some homes.

Is the Price Right for Your Budget?

While it can embellish any home, slate remains one of the more expensive options on the market.  The price of slate tiles is not for the faint of heart so be prepared for sticker shock.  Slate tile prices depend on the thickness and color.  Yes, color.  As time marches on, slate is prone to weathering; lighter shades can change to gray, brown or even rust.  If you want a non-fading permanent shade of slate, add another 25 percent to the grand total.  Then there’s the unexposed components of the roof to consider —such as the underlayment and drip edging which will tack on another $100 per roof square.  Homeowners can purchase hard or soft natural slate tiles for their roofs.  The harder ones are more resilient, which is reflected in the price.  While softer ones are less expensive, they will need to be repaired and replaced in the future to ensure the integrity of the roof.

Climate Considerations

The composition of slate makes it impervious to extreme heat and cold, and it is a popular choice for homes in climates across all regions.  But it is a particular favorite in hot southern climates due to its cooling properties; instead of transferring heat into the home, it releases it back into the atmosphere.  Even homeowners who live in snowy winter climes can breathe a sigh of relief; slate roofs are virtually indestructible and can survive most any storm.

Advantages of Slate

In addition to slate’s intrinsic beauty and durability, it has many other advantages, including:

• Longevity.  As a 100 percent natural product, slate outperforms all other roofing materials.  This roof can last for a century — giving it the name “100-year solution”.   While a home with an asphalt roof may need to be replaced about six times during the same period.

• Mold, mildew and fungus resistant. Homeowners in warm, humid climates may notice dark streaks and stains on most composite shingles.  Slate is not susceptible to such airborne spores.

• Boosts the home’s resale value.  Prospective homeowners have a long checklist when they are shopping around and may avoid a property with an old, unattractive roof.  They don’t want the added burden of replacing that roof once they move in.  Contrast that with a home that has a time-tested slate roof.  Most likely, this classic roof will not need to be replaced during the homeowner’s lifetime, giving that home an automatic increase in value.

• Minimal maintenance.  Due to slate’s natural properties, homeowners only need to replace a tile if it breaks, as breakage will allow water to infiltrate the home.

• Environmentally friendly.  In every stage of its life cycle, slate remains in its natural state, making it recyclable, and since it is not exposed to a grueling manufacturing process, it is chemical-free and has no carbon emissions.

• Withstands high winds.  Homes in hurricane-prone areas or those that are buffeted by violent weather will fare better with a slate roof than one with asphalt shingles.

• Superior insulator. Slate’s density makes it a great energy-saver.  Debates continue about the exact percentage of heat lost via a roof, but most research indicates it is close to 25 percent. Many homeowners with a slate roof have seen a substantial reduction in utility bills.

Disadvantages of Slate

As stated earlier, the key drawback is the cost.  Slate is fragile and heavy, which can cause transportation costs to rise through the roof.  Further, load-bearing beams, pillars and walls in the home must be fortified to support the extra weight.

Another huge variation is found in the labor costs.  The installation price is calculated according to the roof’s surface area, weight, slope and pitch.

Furthermore, not every roofing contractor has a team of professionals who possess the necessary skills to install slate. In the event a tile needs to be replaced, an expert will need to perform a delicate dance on the roof to keep from stepping on and breaking others.

Hire a roofing contractor with experience installing slate roofs

Hiring a reputable roofing contractor is crucial to your slate roof investment.  As long as your slate roof is installed and flashed properly, you shouldn’t have to worry about it again.  That makes hiring a local roofing contractor that has experience installing slate roofs crucial to your investment.  The reason for this is because it takes a really skilled roofer or someone that’s been trained properly to handle and install the slate tiles.

Each individual tile has to be carefully handled because they’re easily breakable.  If the installers don’t know how to do this, the slate tiles will break, you’ll have problems (leaks), and your roof’s life will be cut short.   No matter if you need repairs or a roof replacement, your contractor plays a huge role in the life you get out of your slate roof.

Without question, a slate roof makes an impressive architectural design statement.  The decision for homeowners is whether slate is worth the investment.