Some people work as roofers for a summer or two. Others become lifelong devotees to the profession. Those who commit to roofing as a long-time profession really take the time to learn the details. Not only do they learn how to put roofs in place, but they also learn quite a lot about various roofing materials. This equips them to make good recommendations to homeowners who are looking for the right roof. We will also make some recommendations and tell you a bit more about roofers on this blog. While we are not roofers ourselves, we know a lot about the profession and are always happy to share.
Homeowners have a wide variety of materials to choose from when it comes time to replace the roof. Of course, the popular choice of asphalt shingles is a possibility as are metal roofing, wood shakes, and clay tiles. Another option is having a slate roof replace your old one. Here is a look at what you need to know about this fascinating roofing material.
Benefits
Slate has a number of benefits, with one of the most important being its lifespan. As long as a slate roof is properly installed and maintained, it can last for 100 years or more. Slate roofs are also exceptionally durable. They are resistant to mold and fire and withstand strong winds. Slate's durability means that it's less prone to damage from the elements than other materials, which should lead to fewer repairs over the lifespan of the roof.
Slate roofs are also less harmful to the environment than some other roofing materials. For instance, asphalt roofs typically contain non-biodegradable material. When an asphalt roof is replaced the old shingles are generally sent to a landfill and not reused. Slate is a natural product that cannot harm the environment in any way.
Naturally, a key benefit of slate roofs is that they are visually appealing. No other materials really match a slate roof in curb appeal. Last but not least, a slate roof can add to the value of your home.
Considerations
Two key points to consider when thinking about installing a slate roof are the pitch of your roof and whether your home's framing can support a slate roof. Slate roof work best on roofs that have a pitch of 4:12, which means that for every 12 feet of length, there is a rise of four feet.
Also, slate is much heavier than other, more common roofing materials and some home structures are not able to support this excess weight. In this case, you might need to make modifications to your roof framing.
Cost
A key consideration regarding replacing your roof with a slate roof is the cost of installation. Slate roofs are more costly to install, advises This Old House. The final cost will depend on various factors, such as the size of your house and the cost of labor in your area. If your house framing needs to be modified to support the slate, this will add to the overall cost as well.
To learn more about slate roofs and to discover if replacing your current true with a slate roof is right for you, contact a roof replacement company in your area.