A natural slate roof has a unique, timeless and long-lasting beauty that is yet to be matched by any other roofing material. In today’s post, local roofing company Barth Roofing Company, Inc. discusses the reasons why you should consider slate roofing for your next roof replacement project.
Natural Beauty
Slate is made from quarried stone that’s cut to size, which means you have a literal layer of stone protecting your home from the elements when you have a slate roof. One of the first things you’ll notice about it is how the slight changes in hue and imperfections on the surface creates a unique texture, both tactile and visual. As a naturally-occurring material, slate can vary in color depending on where it’s quarried. In addition to the popular dark gray color, you can find slate in hues as diverse as red, green and purple.
Long Life Span
A roof replacement is often described as an investment. Given that slate roofs last for more than 100 years, we’re not exaggerating when we say that it is one investment that would last more than one lifetime. It’s worth pointing out that you have to make sure that your roofing contractor uses long-lasting materials when building the roof framing and decking. In addition to the extended life span, slate is much heavier than sheet metal and asphalt shingles and will need framing that can carry that weight.
Protection from the Elements
Slate is one of the most resilient roofing materials available. It’s fire-resistant, wind-resistant, and doesn’t erode from years of rainfall. Decades of exposure to UV radiation will also have minimal effect, which means your slate roof will pretty much look the same over its service life. Many people even consider “weathered” slate as an aesthetic effect.
Sustainable
Roofs with shorter life spans will require replacement more often, which means more waste material to dispose over a shorter time. A standard asphalt shingle roof lasts up to 20 years, metal roofs up to 50 years. A single slate roof installation, with care and maintenance, is worth five new asphalt roofs or two new metal roofs, making it one of the most sustainable roofing materials available.
Searching online for a “roofer near me”? Call Barth Roofing Company, Inc. at (209) 833-9917 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Afton Jackson says
The really long life span of a slate roof really makes me want to try getting that material for our home. That way, we can invest more and more in it and be able to have a much more stable home around here, giving us some piece of mind from the crazy weather. I’ll ask for slate materials for sure when I find a roofing contractor in the area who can lend us a hand with the installations.