Out of all of the roofing materials available, slate roofs last the longest, require little maintenance but can be quite expensive. This durable material is chosen by Canadian homeowners who want to enhance their curb appeal. While a slate roof will give your home a rustic appearance, achieving this design is very difficult. Read on to learn whether or not a slate roof is the right choice for your home.
What is a Slate Roof?
A slate roof is made up of individual shingles. Slate roof shingles are made from fine-grain metamorphic rocks composed of clay and volcanic ash. Due to their carbon composition, they are mostly available in black and grey colours. Over time their colour may fade depending on the weather conditions of your region. People have used slate roof shingles and slabs to protect small houses and castles around the globe for centuries. Slate roofs are easy to locate on older buildings and new houses with their old-school charm.
Advantages of Installing a Slate Roof
Long-lasting
The biggest advantage of a slate roof is its longevity. Metal, wood or asphalt shingles last anywhere from 10 to 50 years but slate roofs last for centuries. Due to their low maintenance features and considering their natural source material, you may never have to redo your roof again!
Looks Uniformed
Slate roofs are aesthetically pleasing as they have a very classic look. They can turn modern architecture into a classic fairytale home. Though slate roofs are traditionally available in black and grey, some types of slates can also be found in orange, green and red. They are sleek and come in different shapes and sizes. You can get your contractor to design a beautiful uniformed-looking roof for your house with the right colour.
Weatherproof
As slate roof shingles are made from natural materials, they are more durable and are not susceptible to extreme weather conditions. They can withstand high temperatures, high wind, snow and rainstorms. Additionally, as they are made from volcanic ash and clay, they are fire-resistant. They can also protect your house from multiple lightning strikes during a storm.
Increases Value
Given its long-lasting nature, strong quality to withstand the worst weather conditions and aesthetic looks, having a slate roof above your head definitely increases your property’s value. Even if you don’t have any plans to sell your house for the next couple of decades, you can still reap the benefits of the roof when you decide to sell it down the road.
Disadvantages of Installing a Slate Roof
Expensive
Due to so many high-end advantages, the cost of installing a new slate roof can literally crash through the roof. These shingles cost heavily to manufacture as they are customized based on the size and shape of your roof. Additionally, they are very difficult to install by yourself. You will need to hire a professional roofing company to carry and install the slate shingles on your roof frame. Based on the source material, grade, thickness and quality of the slate, installing a new slate roof can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $75,000.
Heavy Weight
The chemical structure and manufacturing process of a slate roof makes it heavyweight. It is extremely important for the stability of your house that your walls should be able to bear the weight of the slates on top. If the walls, the foundation structure and the roofing frames are not strong enough to hold the weight of the slate shingles, your roof can literally collapse inside your home. You will need to hire a professional roofer to inspect the structure of your house before choosing slate roofing as your final choice. This is the same reason why you will need a professional roofer to securely install your slate shingles on your roof so they don’t fall or break.
Whether you live in Toronto or Vancouver, if you take a discovery walk in your city, you will quickly find many buildings being protected by slate roofs for more than a century. Canadians have trusted slate shingles by putting them on historical buildings like hotels, city halls, courthouses, banks, post offices and many other establishments. You can bring that regal part of Canadian history right on your roof by getting long-lasting slate shingles. Get in touch with your local roofer to discuss your slate roofing options.
