Should You Consider a Slate Roof?

Are you thinking about replacing the asphalt shingles on your roof with slate roof tiles or putting a slate roof on a new home you’re building? Or maybe you’re trying to decide if it’s worth fixing a damaged slate roof or just replacing it with a cheaper option.

You’ll find slate roofing on some of the oldest homes across the country, but the popularity of slate roofing declined for many years and was pushed aside by asphalt shingles and other mass-produced materials. Today, slate roofing is seeing a resurgence as more and more homeowners recognize the beauty and benefits of slate roofing.

A properly installed and well-maintained slate roof will last 75 to 100 years and have been known to last as long as 150 years – sometimes outlasting the actual structure. Whereas, the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) reports that wood shake roofs should last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years.

Slate is basically rock or stone that’s millions of years old. It is incredibly durable and once installed could literally last you a lifetime if properly maintained. And that maintenance is minimal.

Once a year, a professional roof inspector should look at your roof and repair or replace any damaged or broken slates. Leeland’s Slate Roofing offers an affordable annual roof maintenance contract that will maintain the quality of your slate roof for years to come.

Slate is a natural material, so the slates do not emit VOCs or other pollution during manufacturing, and slate can be recycled. Slate is one of the most fire-resistant roofing materials available. Unlike wood and asphalt shingles, slate will not burn. In fact, a slate roof could lower your homeowner’s insurance costs. Plus, slate is mold resistant and resistant to damage caused by freezing because it doesn’t absorb water easily.

Probably the number one benefit of slate roofing is that it is a beautiful and elegant roofing material that looks great on just about any style home. Talk about great curb appeal!

Slate comes in a variety of textures, colors, and patterns. It can be smooth or rough and rustic. The most common colors of slate are grays and blacks, but it also comes in greens, purples, and reds. Slates with multiple colors are even available.

Slate tiles also come in a variety of thicknesses and shapes such as rectangular, square, hexagonal, half- moon, and bullnose.

• The beauty, durability, longevity, and easy maintenance of tile roofing can increase the resale value of your home. 
  
• Slate roofing helps insulate your home, which can lower your energy costs.
  

• Slate roofing is more expensive than asphalt shingles, but consider the longevity. 
  
• Because Slate is natural and not mass produced, they can vary in thickness, but often that adds to the beauty of a slate roof. 
  
• Because slate is natural, it can be challenging to find replacement slates that match your existing roof, which is why we recommend saving a few extra slates during installation. 
  
• Slate roofs are heavy, so you’ll need to make sure an experienced and reliable slate roofing contractor installs your slate to make sure your roof is strong enough to support the weight. 
  

If you’re considering new roofing, make sure you understand the pros and cons of the different roofing options. For many, the beauty and durability of slate roofing far outweighs the cost.

For more than 45 years, Leeland’s Slate Roofing has been focused on slate roofing installation and repair making us one of the most experienced and reliable slate roofing contractors in the area. Our highly-trained craftsman repair, restore, and install slate roofs in accordance with the 1927 National Slate Association Standards. Our selection of slate and tile is unparalleled.

To learn more about slate roofing and the services available at Leeland’s, give us a call at 888-927-5283 or find us online.