Western parts of North America don’t tend to choose slate roofs much, and you’ll be more likely to find this kind of roof in eastern places, such as in and around Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania. These are the areas in which the slate was mined, so it makes sense for local vicinities to use the material more. Being a natural material, they are a great option for those who want a more natural and rustic feel to their home, and the slate can even be reused once it’s time to install a new roofing system, making it a friendly option for the environment.



WHAT DOES A SLATE ROOF LOOK LIKE?
Each slate roof looks slightly different from the one before, and that’s the beauty of this roof type — it’s all natural, open to variation, and has even paved the way for fake versions of slate — other roof materials designed to look like all-natural slate ... without all of the added costs.

SLATE ROOF - THE PROS
Slate roofs are more fireproof than other roof types, and they’re also one of the most durable options, lasting for many decades as long as they are correctly maintained and taken care of. It was during the 1800’s that this style first became popular, used initially to take over from wooden roof types. These days, they’re well-known for being a little more expensive, a little more high-maintenance, and very visually appealing. Slate roofs have been known to increase the market value of homes by many thousands of dollars. Slate roofs are installed slightly differently to some of the others, and rather than being held in place with an adhesive, such as glue, they are secured with nails. That’s why you’ll see slate on roofs that have a fairly steep incline; it’s to allow rainwater, ice, snow, etc., to easily drain away. If rainwater didn’t drain away quickly, the nail points and non-glued-down style could pose problems.

SLATE ROOF - THE CONS
If you live in an area where slate roofs are fairly popular, finding a roofing contractor that can install, maintain, inspect and repair it is not going to be overly difficult. However, if slate roofs are rare where you live, you may find that roofing contractors that specialise in slate are difficult to find. And when that is the case, the prices are often more expensive.

Out of all of the roofing types, slate roofs are one of the most expensive. If an asphalt roof would cost you $8,000, and a metal roof $15,000, a slate one for the same building could cost $30,000 or more. These prices are based on an average two-story, two-bedroom property, with a square footage of between 2,000 and 3,000. Expensive-to-install roofs like this one are considered to be an investment piece for your home — a home improvement that will increase the market value. If this is something that you're interested in, get in touch with us for professional and affordable slate roof advice.

Visit our Roof Contractor home page to learn more about us, or hire a local professional from over 100 USA locations.