The most common natural stone used as a roofing material for centuries is slate. Due to the extraordinary strength and durability of this material, it gained popularity as early as the 15th century, when it began to be widely used in the construction of roofs for cathedrals and castles. Many architectural monuments that have survived to this day have slate roofs, which have not lost their strength or special appearance over time. The ability to ennoble a building and emphasize the wealth of its owner makes slate roofs popular even today.
A slate roof fits perfectly with all architectural styles and, moreover, can take the shape of any roof, even with complex geometries.
Benefits
According to in demand Littleton roofers, these are just some of the benefits you will get from installing a slate roof:
- Energy efficiency
Slate is a material with very good insulation properties. First of all, its composition is very dense, and thus, in summer, it will maintain a cool temperature inside the building, preventing hot air from entering the attic and raising the indoor temperature. On the other hand, in winter, it will prevent warm air from escaping the living space.
- Fire retardant
Being a natural rock, slate is 100% fireproof, unlike some other types of roofing materials. Also, slate roofs are very resistant to sun exposure and are highly recommended in areas at risk of wildfires.
- Longevity
With proper care, slate roofs can last at least 100 years. Construction experts even claim that, if they are equipped with a high-performance insulation system, they can last up to 150 years. Therefore, the investment is for more than one generation.
- Maintenance
In general, slate roofs are easy to maintain. You should schedule regular inspections and allow specialists to detect and replace damaged materials, as well as to clean the roof if necessary. No additional protective measures are required.
- Recyclable
Most of the time, slate tiles can be reused. This way, you will be able to either recover a part of your initial investment, or to assign the materials to another project.
Disadvantages
Since there is no perfect roofing material, you will have to accept that slate roofing can also have certain downsides.
- Weight
A slate roof is extremely heavy. On average, concrete tiles weight about 10 kg per square meter; slate can weigh between 40 and 75 kg per square meter! Often, this extra weight may require a stronger resistance structure, which also involves higher costs.
- Price
The purchase price of a slate roof is the highest, compared to other roofing materials. Without a doubt, it is an investment in high quality and style, as well as an investment for life and even for several generations, but the initial budget must bear these high costs.
- Installation
Not all construction teams can actually install such a roof. The installation procedure is trickier than in the case of other roof types and requires specialized knowledge. Therefore, you can also expect the installation costs be quite high compared to those related to installing other roofs.
