Slate tiles are classic, eco-friendly, and long-lasting. They are a great choice for all kinds of houses because slate always looks good and it’s also very hard-wearing. Slate roofs can last an incredibly long time, making them an excellent investment in your home.
What is slate?
Slate is a naturally formed metamorphic rock. It’s non-porous and doesn’t absorb water, which gives it the added advantage of being resistant to frost and extreme temperatures. The classic slate look is usually grey, but you can get slate in various colors, including red and purple, to match your preferences.
Why choose roof slates?
Roof slates were very popular around the 1900s, but as newer materials like asphalt roofing became available, slate dropped in popularity. However, more recently, roof slate tiles have had a resurgence in popularity for their eco-friendly credentials as well as their appearance.
Slate works well on properties from all periods, providing a classic and elegant look to your home, plus it’s incredibly long-lasting, fire-resistant, and resilient to bad weather conditions. As a particularly timeless roofing option, a slate roof can even potentially increase the selling value of your home.
As a natural material, slate is an environmentally-friendly roofing option, and it has the added advantage of a manufacturing process that keeps carbon emissions very low. It’s also reusable in some circumstances.
Maintaining a slate roof
Slate roofs are generally quite low maintenance. If installed correctly, they can last for many, many years, making it an excellent economical choice in the long-term. Like all roofs, a slate roof will need regular inspections, and any damaged slates will need replacing or repairing. However, because it is such a hard-wearing material, it’s uncommon for slate roofs to need any kind of extensive repair.
Is a slate roof the best choice for me?
Slate is a great choice for many roofs, but like all roofing materials, it is better suited to some roofs than others. For example, if your roof has a pitch less than 4:12, a slate roof wouldn’t be an available option. Likewise, slate is heavy, and your roof will need to have good structural integrity before installing a slate roof.
It is important to choose fully qualified professional roofers to install your slate roof. At Pace Roofing Philadelphia, we provide free inspection and estimates to help you determine the best roofing material for your roof so that you can be confident your roof is a sound investment.