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One of the most important considerations homeowners must make when having a roof replaced or a new roof installed is the material that’ll be used. From asphalt shingles to metal sheets to tiles, there are a ton of options available.
But one time-tested roofing material that flies under the radar is slate. You don’t see nearly as many roofs with slate tiles as you do asphalt shingles, so you might be wondering, “What’s the deal with slate roofs anyway?”
If your considering a slate roof or just all around curious, this article is for you! We’ll share some of the pros and cons of slate roofing below!
What Are Slate Roofing Tiles?
Slate roofing tiles are extremely durable, long-lasting roofing tiles that are made from slate – a natural rock material. Formed from clay or other minerals that are put under high pressure, slate is a metamorphic rock.
A few of the characteristics of slate include its naturally dark color and tendency to split into thin sheets. This occurs because slate features natural cleavage planes in the material. Most slate in the U.S. is harvested from mines in the Appalachian region.
What Are the Pros of Slate Roofing Tiles?
Slate roofing tiles offer a number of advantages, which make them highly desirable for some homeowners. Among other things, slate roofing tiles are:
Durable
There are few building materials – let alone roofing materials – that are as durable as slate. Slate tiles can withstand things like high winds and hail with ease, and when properly installed, a new slate roof is likely to last for 60 years or more without needing significant repairs. In a nutshell, when well-maintained, slate is one of the longest lasting roofing materials available on the market
Attractive
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, most homeowners will agree that slate tiles look absolutely terrific on most homes. They appear more “polished” than shingles or metal roofs, and their natural color can enhance the aesthetics of any home. This is part of the reason slate roofs tend to increase property values.
Eco-Friendly
Because they last so long, slate roofing tiles are very environmentally friendly. Unlike some other roofing materials, which will have to be removed and replaced in a few decades, slate roofs will often last for 50 to 100 years or more. This will alleviate the need to dispose of the old roof materials and transport them to a landfill.
All Natural
Slate tiles are not made by environmentally harmful commercial processes – they’re simply mined, trimmed, split, cut, graded, and stored until ready for use. This means that harsh chemicals aren’t used in their manufacture, and it also means they can be recycled or repurposed and used for different things.
Fire-Resistant
While some asphalt shingles are very fire resistant, nothing is as fire proof as slate tiles. This makes them especially popular among homeowners living in fire-prone regions, who’re interested in making their home as safe as possible.
Insect Resistant
Unlike some other roofing materials (such as wooden shingles), slate roofing tiles are completely immune to insect attacks or infestations. Not only do insects find no value in the tiles, but they couldn’t penetrate the dense rock even if they tried.
What Are the Cons of Slate Roofing Tiles?
While they obviously offer a variety of advantages, slate roofing tiles also present a few key drawbacks. For example, slate roofing tiles are:
Expensive
Slate is not only a little pricey, but it is typically recognized as the most expensive roof covering available. Generally speaking, slate tile installation will cost about four times as much as having an asphalt roof installed.
Brittle
Despite the fact that it is supremely durable and capable of taking extreme weather conditions (even hail) in stride, slate tile is very brittle, and broken tiles are common during installation. This means it is vulnerable to breaking during transport and storage, as well as installation. It can even be broken after installation, if someone walks on the roof without exercising caution.
Heavy
As you’d expect, given that it is made from naturally occurring rock, slate is a very heavy roofing material. In fact, many home roofs are not strong enough to support slate tiles. In these cases, the roof will have to be reinforced before installation, further increasing the costs of the total roof project.
Difficult to Install
Slate tile cannot be installed in the same manner as asphalt shingles can. They require special techniques to ensure that they don’t fracture when installed with nails or hooks. Relatively few roofers have the skills to do so properly, and even those who do find the work time-consuming and challenging.
Very Slick
Slate tile is very slippery, which makes walking on a slate roof incredibly challenging. All it takes is one moment of losing your balance, and you can slide right off a slate roof. And because it is easy to break slate tiles by falling on them, this makes the installation process especially challenging.
The Pros and Cons of Slate Roofing: FAQ
Still wondering if slate tiles are the right choice for your roof? Have a few lingering questions? We’ll answer some of the most common questions homeowners have below!
Why are slate tile roofs expensive?
There are a variety of reasons that slate is more expensive than most other roofing materials. For starters, the material itself is pricey, and because slate roofs are relatively rare, there aren’t as many options from which roofers can source the tiles.
Additionally, slate roof installation requires specialized techniques and material-specific expertise, which also increases the cost associated with slate tile roof installation.
How much does a slate roof cost?
The costs of a slate roof can vary significantly, depending on the size of the home, as well as the roof’s condition and design. However, they tend to vary between about $10,000 and $45,000, including materials and installation costs.
How long do slate roofing tiles last?
Slate roofing tiles will easily outlast most other roofing materials. In some cases, they’ve been known to last for more than a century. This is a significant part of the material’s appeal.
Are slate roofing tiles suitable for all climates?
No. While slate tiles can be installed on homes in warm areas, they do not provide the same cooling benefits that many other roofing materials do. Instead, homeowners in warm climates should often opt for specialized cooling shingles.
What is the biggest problem with slate roofs?
The biggest drawback of slate roofing shingles for most homeowners is the cost associated with their installation. However, the weight of slate tiles also presents problems, as many roofs will require reinforcement before slate roofing tiles can be installed. This increases the duration of the installation and ultimate cost.
Why aren’t slate roofs more common?
The primary reason slate roofing tiles aren’t more common likely relates to their cost – they’re simply more expensive than most other roofing options. Additionally, it can be hard for some homeowners to find roofing installers who have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to install slate tiles properly.
How often does natural slate roofing need to be replaced?
In most cases, homeowners won’t have to worry about slate roof replacement during their lifetime – unless individual tiles break. And that is unlikely to happen unless your home is struck by exceptionally severe weather or you allow unqualified roofing technicians to walk on your roof.
What are synthetic slate roof tiles?
Synthetic slate roof tiles are roofing tiles made to resemble slate, while sidestepping some of the issues natural slate presents. For example, synthetic slate tiles are much more affordable than natural slate roof tiles. Synthetic slate tiles are also lighter, which means you may not have to have your roof deck reinforced if you opt for synthetic slate instead of real slate.
Is synthetic slate roofing as good as natural slate?
Generally speaking, no — synthetic slate roofing materials (often called composite slate roofing) are generally considered inferior to natural slate. Synthetic slate roofing tiles don’t last as long as natural slate tiles, and they’re made with unnatural chemicals, which make them less environmentally friendly. Synthetic slate roofing also lacks the fire resistance that natural slate shingles offer.
Synthetic slate shingles are, however, more affordable than natural slate tiles, and some appear very similar to the real thing.
Choose the Roofing Professionals at Schoenherr Roofing
Whether you think a slate roof is the perfect choice for you or you’d prefer to go with some other option, you want to work with a roofing contractor you trust. Schoenherr Roofing has been providing roofing solutions for Michigan homeowners since 1995. With more than 30 years of roofing-industry experience, our team can help provide the residential or commercial roofing services you need.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment, discuss the slate roof options available, or get your free estimate now!
