If you’re having your home built or are renovating the family home and are considering what kind of roof suits your property best, consider the slate roof. While slate roofs are not as common as asphalt shingle roofs or metal roofing, they do have several advantages that are interesting to know about.
First and foremost is the fact that slate roofs last forever. Being made of stone has its advantages. Slate roofs are fireproof. They are also extremely durable and resist storm damage.
What You Need to Know About Slate Roof Installation
Slate roofs are also very attractive and are well suited for the upscale home. In fact, a slate roof is often a hallmark of a luxury home. The high quality and durability do however come with a price. Slate roofs are heavy, and before you can have one installed, your roofing contractor will need to ensure that adequate structural supports are in place to bear the weight of the roof. The need for this support can make slate roofs cost prohibitive in some instances.
Even though slate roofs are long lasting, they are not maintenance free. In fact, to get the best from your slate roof it is a good best practice to have your roofer come by on an annual basis to inspect the slate tiles for any signs of cracks, chips, or damage. While these are infrequent they do happen and when they do, it’s time to have that damaged tile replaced. A skilled slate roof contractor can do this for you quickly and efficiently.
What about solar energy? Going solar is becoming increasingly popular. There is a wide-spread misconception that you can not install solar panels on a slate roof. This is absolutely untrue. A recent innovation in the solar industry, the Solar Slate Plate, allows for cost-effective professional solar installation on slate roofs.