Slate is one of the most desirable roofing materials available, and yet it's also one of the most expensive. For many homeowners, the expense is enough to push them towards a more economical material. That might mean saving a bit of cash in the short-term, but opting for slate is an investment that tends to make financial sense in the long run.
Here are just four reasons why.
1. Improved Kerb Appeal
Slate roofs possess a wide range of more practical benefits, and yet the main reason for their desirability revolves around aesthetics. Slate is valued for its outstanding natural beauty. A surprisingly rich array of natural colour options is available, and you'll find slate tiles maintaining a distinctly prestigious appearance. That's great for you, and enhancing kerb appeal is going to help your home command a higher price when it comes time to sell. In fact, your real estate agent will probably list 'slate roof' as one of the property's key characteristics.
2. Exceptional Longevity
Okay, maybe you think you're never going to sell your home. Even so, slate still pays for itself thanks to its exceptional durability. Slate roofs can last well over 100 years, a claim that few can boast. A natural stone whose appearance doesn't degrade, it's very unlikely to need replacing in the future. If you go for a less expensive material, that's unlikely to be the case.
3. Minimal Upkeep
Natural materials often have natural flaws, but slate might just be the exception to this rule. It's completely impervious to water, entirely non-combustible, unaffected by variations of temperature, and impervious to changing weather conditions. It won't be affected by fungus or mold. All these characteristics come together to create a roofing material that demands very little in the way of maintenance. While you may need to go through the hassle of having other roofs inspected, cleaned and maintained, a slate roof is unlikely to require such attention.
4. Environmentally-Friendly
Okay, it's a bit cheeky to put 'environmentally-friendly' on this list. After all, your finances won't be affected by how eco-friendly your roofing material is. That said, it's worth taking into account that there are costs beyond those associated with your bank account. Slate is extremely sustainable, requires few raw materials and little energy to work and can be easily recycled. It costs the planet less to produce slate roofing than other types, especially those that use any kind of synthetic material, and that's certainly something worth considering when you're looking at new roofs.
Hello! My name is Ralph and this is my roofing blog. I first became fascinated with roofing when I was a boy. When my dad was angry at me. I would climb up onto the roof of our house and hide. One afternoon, when I was hiding on the roof, I found myself looking at the tiles and wondering how they fitted together and stayed in place. I decided to spend a couple of months hanging around the local roofing contractors office so I could learn a thing or two. And I did. Although I never became a professional roofer myself, I still remember all of the tips and advice.