What Are Slate Roof Tiles?

Did you know slate roof tiles can last up to 150 years? If your current roof doesn’t have a long lifespan, slate roofing might be the option for you.

Slate Roof Tile Basics

Slate roof tile is known for its long-lasting structure, high durability, and beautiful exterior. It’s great for homeowners who want to increase curb appeal or give their homes a classy, traditional appearance.

Keep reading to learn more about slate roof tile and if it’s the right roofing material for your residential home.

The 3 Types of Slate Roof Tiles

There are three types of slate roof tiles:

Natural Slate

Natural slate, also referred to as “real slate,” is inspired by traditional cottage roofing and made of natural stone. The natural slate roof lifespan is incredibly long—this material can last up to 100 years!

Natural slate handles thermal expansion and contraction well, which helps lower energy costs. It’s also eco-friendly since it doesn’t need to be replaced if you take proper care of it. Even if you remove natural slate, you can repurpose it in various ways.

Fiber Cement Slate

Fiber cement slate is less expensive than natural slate, but it’s just as attractive. This material comes in many different colors and shapes.

Fiber cement is lighter than natural slate, so it’s easier to install. Though it has about half the lifespan of natural stone, it lasts almost 30 years longer than traditional asphalt shingles.

Bituminous Slate

Bituminous slate is made out of bitumen, a type of asphalt, and has a similar composition to traditional roofing shingles. Unlike standard roofing materials, bituminous slate has a smooth feel like natural slate instead of a rough sandpaper texture like asphalt.

This material is flexible and covers eyebrow windows and domed roofs well. Like other types of slate, bituminous slate roofs have long lifespans and require little maintenance.

Slate Roof Pros and Cons

There are several pros and cons to slate roofing, like any roofing material.

Advantages of Slate Roof Tiles

Slate roof tile offers your home many advantages:

Enhanced Home Appearance

Slate roof tile gives your home a classic, sophisticated look. It has a neatly organized structure that suits any residential house so many homeowners choose it when building a new place or remodeling.

Increased Fire and Weather Resistance

Slate tiles are one of the most fire-resistant roofing materials on the market—it’s the only completely fireproof roof option. This is great for suburban homeowners that worry about fireworks or spreading wildfire.

Slate roof tile is also waterproof and holds up well during severe weather storms since it’s durable and thick.

Long Lifespan

Slate roofing can last for over a century when you properly take care of it. Most traditional roofing materials only last 10 to 30 years and need to be replaced every couple of decades. You save money on maintenance, repairs, and replacement when you choose slate roof tiles.

Customizable Features

If you want to attain a specific roofing style, slate roof tiles are the way to go.

You can pick the shape and color of your tiles. Many standard roofs only come in one color and shape, but this material allows for customization.

Disadvantages of Slate Roof Tiles

Though slate roof tiles are durable and long-lasting, they have a few disadvantages:

Expensive Installation Costs

According to RoofCalc, The average cost of a slate roof is about $20,000 per 1,600 square feet. The tiles themselves cost $450 to $800 per square, and when you factor in labor, removal of old materials, and installation fees, you’re looking at about $1,500 to $4,000 per square.

Many homeowners pay that much for lower-quality materials because they require more maintenance and replacement.

Weight

Slate roofs are made of thick stone and are much heavier than traditional roofs. One square weighs approximately 700 to 800 pounds.

Find an experienced roofing company to partner with to install slate shingles since it’s a heavy material that requires expertise.

Difficult Replacement

If a slate tile breaks, which is rare, it’s hard to find an exact replacement. Slate typically comes in slabs or lots so replacing one tile isn’t as easy as it sounds. Plus, since the material is relatively expensive, replacement costs quickly add up.

Looking for a qualified roofing contractor that understands slate tile roofs?

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How To Maintain a Slate Roof

Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your slate roof in good condition.

Have a roofing contractor inspect your slate roof at least once every couple of years to ensure there aren’t:

Cracks
Leaks
Missing tiles

Partner With a Professional Roofing Contractor

Roofing contractors that specialize in slate roof maintenance have experience with slate tiles and provide high-quality installation.

Seal Roofing specializes in slate roofing and provides 24/7 roofing maintenance. We’re experts in installing and customizing slate tile roofs and work on homes of all shapes and sizes.

With our superior materials and 25 years of experience, we provide you with the slate roof of your dreams. Contact us today to learn more about our slate roofing installation.