Slate Shingles

Many people consider natural slate roofing to be the classiest of all roof types. Available in various colors and grades depending upon your area, it provides amazing style and textures to any elegant home. A slate roof is a low-tech, simple roofing system, made with natural stone, metal fasteners or nails, and wood battens. Traditional slate roofs are fantastically beautiful and successful waterproof roofing systems that, if properly constructed, last for well over one hundred years. In Europe, some slate tile roofing is over four hundred years old and still in fine functioning condition. For people concerned with the environment, discarded slate roofing shingles are clean fill and environmentally friendly unlike many of the petrochemical roofs which are toxic.

There are certain types of slate, such as black slate originating from Pennsylvania, which does not have as long a life expectancy as the green slate originating from Vermont. For professionals working with traditional slate roofs, it is important that they can identify and tell the qualities, characteristics, longevities, and origin between roofing slates types. To repair slate roof leaks or broken tiles, hire a professional experienced in slate roofs. Most slate roof repair done by a non-professional results in more damage and improper repair work.

For homeowners that like the look of slate shingles, but do not want to use natural slate, here are some of the different types of tiles available including:

• Synthetic slate shingles


• Rubber slate shingles


• Composite slate shingles


• Metal slate panels for roofing

Rubber slate roofing is a great choice of roofing material for a new home or re-roofing an older Victorian home. They make car bumpers and rubber slate roofs out of the same material. More affordable and lighter in weight than slate, rubber slates are predrilled, flexible, calibrated and have a life expectancy of up to one hundred years. It is an excellent roofing product for a complex, steep roof, with valleys, turrets, and crickets. They can install rubber slate shingles in any type of weather condition and easily cut the rubber shingles with a knife, unlike many other roofing materials.

Composite slate roofing is another alternative to a natural slate roof. They give you the authentic, beautiful look of classic slate but are less expensive. Composite shingles are made of fire resistant and robust materials formed to the same contours and textures of slate so you get authentic looking tiles. They are an excellent alternative to natural slate tiles.