Should Your Next Roof Be Slate?
We’ve all heard of metal, asphalt, cedar shake and clay tile roofing. However, your options don’t stop there. That’s right. Another contender in the roofing category is natural slate, and while it doesn’t get as much attention as the other options we’ve mentioned, it’s still a viable contender in the residential roofing category. Here’s what you need to know before installing a natural slate roof:
What it is: Slate is a rock that is found in large quantities on the east coast and has been used on US roofs since the mid-1800’s. Because it is a natural occurring element in nature, it can be found in a variety of hues including: green, gray, black, purple and red.
Advantages of Slate
Aesthetics: Homeowners who chose a slate roof favor it because of its timeless, regal appearance. Color options are plentiful and it’s not uncommon to see tiles embellished with multiple hues.
Longevity: Of all of the roofing materials available in the marketplace, you’ll be hard pressed to find a longer lasting roofing material. Maintenance on this type of roof is minimal as well.
Fire Resistance: Natural slate roofing is recognized by insurance companies as one of the most fire resistant roofing materials. This distinction can assist in lowering your home’s insurance premiums.
Resale Value Boost: The longevity and beauty of natural slate roofing make homes on the market more attractive to potential buyers.
Slate Roofing Game Changer:
It’s understandable if you’ve never heard of, or considered, using slate roofing on your home. Until recently, the price tag for installation was so exorbitant that it was out of reach for most homeowners. This all changed when roofing manufacturer, GAF, introduced their TruSlate® product line. TruSlate® roofing is not a synthetic imitation, but hand-quarried slate of the highest quality. Due to their weight, slate roofs of the past couldn’t be installed without costly structural modifications so that the building could support them. This is not the case with TruSlate® which weighs less than other slate roofs. Here’s how it works. On conventional slate roofs half of each piece of slate lies underneath the piece above it. TruSlate® eliminates this by utilizing a high-tech waterproofing material, making it an ideal choice for most roof pitches and budgets.
