Among the various choices of a roof's final layer, none can compare to slate. Its beauty and durability make it an attractive choice but more needs to go into making the decision to use this material.
Slate roof tiles are of course long lasting. A slate roof can easily be expected to last upward of one hundred years, sometimes more providing that it has been properly installed and this is perhaps one of the most important things to consider. Installation of a slate tile roof is a specialty skill that many roofing contractors don't have. When deciding to install this type of roof it is of vital importance to make sure to ask the contractor or installment team about their experience with this type of roof.
Slate comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses making it one of the most versatile choices. Thickness will of course directly affect the overall weight of the roof so it's important to have a structural evaluation done of your home before moving forward with a slate roof. The color choices will range from different hues of grey to slate tiles that are marbled in appearance. There are no significant price differences when it comes to color.
Slate tile roofs provide great protection against fires that start at the roof. Wayward sparks from nearby house fires or fireworks displays can be a homeowner's nightmare. A slate roof when properly installed alleviates these worries.
One of the biggest concerns about using slate for your roofing project is the fragility of the tiles. Slate tiles will not hold up well to being walked on making the job of inspecting your roof more difficult. In addition, objects like air conditioning units that require routine maintenance will increase the likelihood of damage to the tiles. Replacement of these tiles can be difficult because slate tiles are run in batches. Finding a replacement tile that is the exact same color, thickness, and shape to replace the damaged one may not be so easy.
Finally, slate tile roofs are expensive compared to other roofing tile choices. Although the initial investment can be up to five times the cost of another type of roof, slate roofs will last at least five times longer.
Slate can be a beautiful and long lasting material for your roof providing you carefully consider the pros and cons of using this material.