What Are the Benefits of Slate Roofs?

There are a number of roofing materials available, but have you considered slate? We discuss the benefits of slate roofs so you can decide whether it is the right choice for your home.

The benefits of slate roofs

Slate has a unique aesthetic

Slate is sought after for roofs because it has a wonderful natural aesthetic that is hard to replicate. Slate is naturally formed in layers which is what gives it its unique texture, and the dark blue-grey colouring looks even better when it’s wet, so there is an upside to rainy days if you have a slate roof!

Slate roofs are durable and low maintenance

Slate is a very durable material that can withstand all weather - as you would expect for a material with a 100-year lifespan! It only requires routine maintenance which consists of checking for any broken, loose or missing tiles and keeping the gutters clean. Other roofing materials may need a little more attention to keep them at their best, but slate will stay looking great.

Slate roofs have a long lifespan

Another benefit of slate roofs is their longevity. Of all the different roofing materials available, slate is one of the most long-lasting. A well-maintained slate roof can be expected to last 100 years or more, meaning you shouldn’t have to replace your roof again within your lifetime.

Slate is energy-efficient

One thing you should be looking at in your roofing material is its ability to retain heat. There isn’t much point in heating your home just for all that heat to escape through the roof, especially with rising energy costs. Slate roofs have excellent thermal efficiency, making them a sound investment if you want to keep your home warm and cosy.

Slate is fire-resistant

Slate is a natural stone that can withstand intense heat and is completely fire-resistant. This makes it a much safer choice of roofing material than, for example, asphalt shingles. Bear in mind, however, that wooden roof rafters are not fire-resistant, so a fire within the house could still damage your roofing structure.

Slate is environmentally-friendly

If you are conscious of the carbon footprint of your roof, then you will be glad to know that another benefit of slate roofs is that they are an environmentally-friendly roofing choice. Slate is a natural material and turning it into roof tiles requires little processing, unlike the processing involved in metal or asphalt roofs, which comes with its own environmental costs.

Waste is minimal

Another reason slate is so environmentally friendly is that, even at the end of its lifespan, there is very little waste. Even when a slate roof must be replaced, the slates themselves can sometimes be re-used.

The disadvantages of slate roofs

While we think slate roofs are fantastic, there are a couple of potential disadvantages.

They are heavy

There aren’t many drawbacks to slate roofs, but the main challenge of installing slate roof tiles is that they are heavy. For some properties, this will be no problem and the installation can be quite easy. However, on other properties, the roof may need reinforcing first to handle the weight of the tiles.

They are more costly than some other roofing materials

Slate is also one of the pricier roofing materials but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Slate may be slightly more expensive than some other materials, but considering you won’t have to replace it again and are less likely to have problems with your roof, it can be seen as good value for money!

We believe that the benefits of slate roofs far outweigh the drawbacks and that they are a fantastic investment, but do you think that slate is the right choice for your home? If so, come down to our Crediton yard to see our stock or contact a member of our team to discuss your needs.