Searching for the right roof for your home and business can take you in many different directions. Sometimes, property owners can feel overwhelmed by the choices that they have to make. Each roofing material has its place and ideal function, so what may work for one property may not work for yours. Overall, you should carefully consider your needs and budget in order to make a well-informed decision. Slate roofing is a durable and well-regarded roofing material that has the potential to outlast other types of roofs. However, its advantages don’t come with some setbacks. Here are the pros and cons of slate roofing that you need to know to choose wisely.
The Pros & Cons of Slate Roofing
The Pros
It’s long-lasting. We’re talking about 150 years as a standard life expectancy. When a roof is going to outlive you and see your grandchildren’s children and beyond, you know that it’s made out of a quality material. This natural stone is tough against extreme temperatures and weather patterns, making it able to last through generations of occupants and seasons.
It’s Fireproof. Not fire-resistant or fire-retardant, but completely incapable of catching on fire. The only other roofing material that comes close to this feature is metal. If you want a roof that’s going to give your home the best chance to survive natural disasters like wildfires, then you should definitely explore slate as a worthy investment.
There are possible insurance perks. Having a fireproof roof can also give you some homeowner’s insurance discounts. Talk to your insurance provider before installing it to see if you can benefit!
It has natural variety. Slate is a natural stone, which means it can be harvested in different colors, thicknesses, and variations. Though images online typically depict gray stones, slate can also be surprising colors like purple and red!
It boosts your home value. If you decide to switch out your old asphalt roof with slate, you’re likely to see an uptick in your home’s resale value. After all, who wouldn’t want to hear that they won’t need to replace the roof of their prospective home for another 100+ years?
It’s good for the environment. While synthetic roofing materials can contribute to landfills, slate is a natural stone that can be re-purposed after its roofing job is done. In addition, it lasts so long compared to other roofs that you’ll be sparing landfills waste from other materials with shorter lives.
The Cons
It’s expensive. This material’s great qualities make it a highly sought after material that comes at a premium. Some may say that it’s even prohibitively expensive, with the national average cost of installation being $15,000-$20,000 for a 1,500 square foot roof. For high-grade natural slate, the cost is even higher: $21,000-$30,000.
It’s heavy. This is why you need experts (like the ones you’ll find at Noble Roofing) to inspect your home to see if it has the structure to handle their weight. Slate weighs about 800-1500 lbs /100 square feet.
It isn’t a DIY job. This material needs to be handled with care so that each precious tile is installed correctly and not damaged in the process. Therefore, you’re better off hiring professionals who have the right tools, expertise, and safety equipment for the job.
Repairs and replacements can get complicated. Repairing any broken tiles should be handed over to experienced contractors who know the material well. In addition, since each piece of slate comes from a unique source, you may not find a “perfect match” for the tile you need to fix.
Slate Roof Installation and Repair in Northern Virginia
In our next post, we’ll discuss your roof’s best friend and undervalued ally: the gutters. Check it out and let us know if you have any questions.
Noble Roofing is the expert you can turn to for residential roofing and storm damage services. For more than two decades, we’ve developed a reputation for sheer quality and dependability. We serve Centreville, VA, and other nearby areas. Give us a call today at (703) 429-0840 and experience our top-notch service for yourself.