Slate has been used as a roofing material for centuries, especially overseas. While not as common in the United States, it’s still popular for high-end and historic homes.
The head-turning look is the main reason, but there’s much more to a slate roof than its curb appeal. You can’t really make an informed decision based on looks alone.
So, how do you determine if a slate roof is right for you? It all starts with simply knowing what it is and going from there.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has focused on helping homeowners make the right decision and avoid the industry's dark side. Because choosing a roofing material is a huge decision, I’ll break down what every homeowner needs to know about getting a slate roof.
This article answers the following questions about slate roofing:
- What is a slate roof?
- Can you walk on a slate roof?
- How long does a slate roof last?
- How much does a slate roof cost?
- What warranties come with a slate roof?
What is a slate roof?
A slate roof is a premium roof system made primarily of naturally mined slate tiles, accessories, and other roofing materials. It’s considered to have one of the highest curb appeals among the top roofing materials, which is why others mimic the look.
The tiles themselves are fragile and will easily break if they aren’t handled correctly. But once you put it all together, slate roofing is very durable.
The only downside is that a slate roof system is incredibly heavy. A home has to be built or framed to handle the weight to prevent the walls and roof from caving in.
If an existing home can’t handle the weight, it’ll have to be retrofitted with more structural support. This must be completed and approved by a structural engineer before the roofer can begin installing the slate roof.
Can you walk on a slate roof?
Yes, you can walk on a slate roof. But just like the tiles need to be handled carefully when installing them, the same goes for walking on them.
It’s very easy to break slate tiles by simply putting your foot or shifting your weight incorrectly. Unless it’s the roofer who installed it, no one should walk on a slate roof without experience.
If they break, I guarantee it will not be easy (or cheap) to replace them. Even worse, it can lead to costly leaks and shorten the roof’s overall lifespan.
How long does a slate roof last?
As I said, slate roofing is very durable. It’s actually one of the longest-lasting roof systems available in residential roofing.
A slate roof will last 75 to 100 years as long as it’s installed and flashed properly. It could even go past 100 years in the right conditions and with routine maintenance.
Once installed, a slate roof will be the last one you’ll ever need. I like to tell homeowners their grandkids won’t even have to worry about it.
However, factors like quality of installation, foot traffic, weather, and maintenance ultimately determine how long a slate roof lasts.
How much does a slate roof cost?
It’s impossible to give you an exact price for a slate roof without an inspection. However, I can give you a range that most slate roofing projects fit in.
On the very low end, a slate roof costs around $15.00 per square foot, but it can quickly rise to $20.00 to $30.00 or more per square foot. The slate itself and the shipping play a big role in the high price point.
But the main reason a slate roof is this expensive is the time, labor, and skill required to install it. Slate tiles are installed one at a time, which makes the process very slow and labor-intensive.
And if you have to retrofit or reframe your home to handle the weight, the cost can skyrocket.
What warranties come with a slate roof?
Under normal circumstances, new roofs come with two warranties. You’ll get a workmanship warranty from your roofer to protect against installation errors.
But remember, slate tiles are a naturally mined and made roofing material. So, there’s no manufacturer warranty on the slate tiles themselves.
This leaves you with only your workmanship warranty to fall back on if there’s a problem or leak. Because of this, it’s crucial to hire a high-quality local roofing contractor that offers at least a 10-year workmanship warranty.
How does a synthetic slate roof compare to a natural slate roof?
Now you know what a slate roof is and the main things you need to know about it. Slate is one of the most expensive residential roofing materials on the market.
You just need to consider whether the trade-off with high curb appeal and a long lifespan makes it worth the investment. But the truth is that most homeowners can’t afford a slate roof.
The roofing industry recognized the growing demand for a slate-like appearance at a lower price, which led to the development of synthetic shingles. Now, they are one of the fastest-growing roofing materials on the market.
However, the differences between synthetic and natural are pretty drastic. That’s why you need to know how a synthetic slate roof compares to a natural slate roof to truly make the right decision.
Check out Slate Roof vs. Synthetic Slate Roof to learn how these two popular roofing materials match up on key decision-making factors.
