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!

If you’ve found your dream home, that you plan to stay in your whole life and pass on to your children, you should think about slate roofing. Slate roofing is one of the best roofing materials available, and is a good option if you want to make a big commitment to your home. Although initial costs can be high, slate is the longest slating roofing material available, with an average life of thirty years. Some are even still going strong past one hundred years! Slate often doesn’t need mortar or cement, and is excellent in colder areas with heavy rainfall.

Why Is Slate Roofing So Expensive?

The reason slate costs so much is that it cannot be manufactured in a factory. Slate has to be mined. Slate can be imported from Wales, China, Canada, and places across America, although Vermont slate is widely viewed as the best. One problem with slate is that although it is very strong once installed on your roof, it can break easily during transportation. Slate needs to be installed in small pyramid patterns in order to provide the most protection from wind and water. You will need to hire an experienced slate contractor or builder who knows how to work correctly with slate. This may take a little extra time, but the effort is well worth it.

Synthetic Slate Roofing

An alternative to true slate roofing is synthetic slate (also known as “semi-fake” or “composite slate”). This material is made from a mixture of slate power and plastic, or of wood and cellulose fibres. It is much cheaper than genuine slate, and is also just as resistant to fire. Synthetic slate is not as heavy or fragile, but it can be problematic if you live in colder areas. The synthetic slate made from fibres is not very resistant to ice, so if you get a lot of snow and icy weather where you live, genuine slate would be a better option. However, synthetic slate looks exactly like real slate, and doesn’t warp in hot weather, so it is definitely an option you should consider.

Both types of slate are environmentally friendly as they are both recyclable and biodegradable. Historic buildings such as homes and churches are often restored with slate roofing, not only for historical accuracy, but also for environmental reasons.

Either kind of slate roofing is a big investment in your home, but it will definitely make your home extraordinary.