If you live in a place with harsh weather (like heavy snow and rain) slate roofing is the best material you can use for your roof. It lasts for decades and is very durable and strong. However, real slate is also very expensive because it cannot be manufactured; slate needs to be mined. Also, because it is fragile it can easily be broken en route to your construction site. Slate also requires special expertise when it comes to installation, and finding a properly qualified slate roofing contractor can be difficult. It can be a tricky situation: getting the best roof for your home without breaking the bank.
Enter Composite Slate Roofing
This need for top quality roofing at an affordable price was quickly recognized, and a solution was found. Composite slate roofing material (also known as synthetic slate or semi-fake slate) is cheaper, less fragile, and more readily available. It is an excellent alternative to genuine slate.
Composite slate can be made from many things, but the most common mixture is genuine slate powder and plastic. You can also get ceramic and plant fibre composite slate; however, this is not as popular in colder areas because the plant fibre can warp if it freezes and defrosts a lot. This sort of composite slate is a fairly new development, however, so it may pay to check with industry publications to see if any improvements have been made.
Performance
Composite slate will still cost more than other roofing materials, but not nearly as much as genuine slate. It will still have the durability, fire-resistance, and strength of real slate; composite slate roofing often comes with a thirty year warranty, compared to only ten years for roll roofing. Another benefit of composite slate is that it is lighter than true slate, which can reduce the structural stress on your roof and home. No special tools are needed for installation, and because it is less fragile, the chances of it breaking on the way to the site are greatly reduced. Many contractors will also apply a coating to prevent mould and mildew, which can be problems with slate roofs.
Because composite slate is a new roofing material, some people still view it with suspicion. But those people who have sued composite slate for their roofs have had no reason to complain. The only drawback which has been noted is that the original colour can sometimes turn to white. But given the benefits of the material, this is a small price to pay. Not many people are likely to pay attention to the colour of your roof!
