Slate roofs have been around since the Roman Empire was at its peak, and the first recorded use of slate roofing in the US dates back to 1625.
The popularity of these roofs escalated between 1897 and 1914. By 1899, over 200 slate quarries were operating in all thirteen states of this fledgling nation.
Are you tempted to install this type of roof on your home? These are the pros and cons of a slate roof that you need to know about.
Slate Roofs Are an Attractive Option
Slate’s highly customizable, and expert craftsmen can fashion it into a huge range of shapes and sizes. You can choose a scalloped, Gothic, hexagonal, fish scale, diamond point, or clipped corner design for your slate roof.
This type of roof suits colonial-style buildings and is widely used for museums, university buildings, castles, and courthouses.
According to https://diligentexteriorremodeling.com/roof-replacement-services/ homeowners love slate tile due to these classic good looks.
In nature, slate occurs in a wide range of colors including black, gray, purple, mottled purple, green, and red. You can create lettering, floral designs, and more by using different colored slate tiles on your roof.
The drawback of this roofing material is that it’s difficult to find people qualified to carry out these time-consuming customizations.
Is Slate Roofing Durable?
Slate is a microcrystalline fine-grained metamorphic rock that’s been around for 400 million years. So it’s exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
A well-maintained slate tiled roof can last for up to 150 years.
It’s fireproof and can withstand most types of weather including four-inch hailstones. Extreme temperatures and high winds pose no threat to slate roofs.
Since it comprises rock, it’s exceptionally water-resistant, so you won’t find mold and mildew growing on a slate roof.
Being stone, it’s also extremely heavy. That means you may need to reinforce your building’s structure to support the weight of your slate roof.
Slate Roofing Is Low Maintenance
Thanks to its outstanding durability, slate needs almost no maintenance. It doesn’t wear as asphalt tile does, and it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to engage in slate roof repair.
If you ever need to repair your slate roof, you might have a hard time finding a roofer skilled in dealing with these types of roof materials.
A Slate Roof Boosts Home Value
Apart from skyrocketing your home’s curb appeal, slate roofs add value to your home. If you’re planning to stay in your current home forever and hand it down to future generations, slate is a good investment.
It’s an equally good option if you want to get top dollar for your house when you sell it. Surveys indicate that slate roofing can increase your home’s selling price by about $12,000.
Unfortunately, slate roofs are the most expensive type of roof around. Quarrying, cutting, and installing slate requires a high degree of skill and labor, so you’ll pay much more for a slate roof than any other material.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Home
Do you think the benefits of a slate roof outweigh the drawbacks, or would you rather consider other options?
Rubber roofs are a good alternative aesthetics-wise, but no other roofing material can compare to the long-lasting durability of slate. It all boils down to whether you want to make a 150-year investment or substantially increase your home’s value.
Weigh up some more of your options, by browsing our blog for interesting information on a wide range of topics.