Slate is a natural fine grained metamorphic rock that is formed under intense heat and pressure underground.
Is my roof slate or tile.
Slate roof tiles are made of 100 natural stone and have a naturally cleft surface with beautiful color variation ranging over the entire roof.
The biggest advantage to installing a slate roof on your home is the appearance.
Natural slate roof tile.
Homeowners love the characteristic color variations and texture of slate.
Slate is also fire resistant and will generally hold up better to the elements than other types of roofing materials.
Consequently not all homes have the structural support necessary to take the weight of a slate roof and often additional reinforcement needs to be installed.
Good quality roofing materials are essential to protect the roof from water leaks and weather damage providing a sturdy roof structure for your home.
The difference between tiles and slates.
Tile roofs whether made of concrete or clay tile boast a lifespan of 50 years or even longer.
Slate roof tiles are also extremely durable outlasting the buildings they are installed on in some cases.
One of the drawbacks of slate for some homeowners is the heavy weight of slate roofing tiles which can be between 800 1 500 pounds per square 100 square feet.
Clay or slate tiles may last more than 100 years while most concrete tile comes with a 50 year warranty.
In addition the subfloor and underlayment preparation must be done very carefully to prevent the flexing that can cause cracking of the grout joints or the tiles themselves.
A roof constructed of concrete clay or slate may be the last roof you will ever need.
That rock is then split into smooth flat pieces to form slate roof tiles.
Slate tile like all natural stone is difficult to cut without special tools.
Tiles and slates are the most commonly used roofing material yet many buyers can be unsure as to what the differences are between the two.
Slate tiles do tend to be more expensive though they are extremely low maintenance and tend to last longer which could well even out the cost.
As with roof tiles however it is up to the person responsible for the building to keep on top of any maintenance issues to ensure the longevity of a slate tile roof.