Have you always wanted to install a slate roof on your home, and now the time has come for roof replacement? If so, know that you have some options. You can either have natural or synthetic slate installed, with both materials having their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is what you need to know about both of these slate roofing material options.
Material Composition
As you can imagine based on the name, natural slate is made from the real material. Slate needs to be mined from the earth, which is then formed into the shingle material that is used on your roof. Synthetic material is an engineered polymer designed to simulate the look of natural slate. It's made out of petroleum-based materials, such as recycled plastics, but can also be made out of rubber. Synthetic slate is made with thermal and UV stabilizers as well, which makes the material great for being used on a roof.
Weight
Natural slate is going to be much heavier than its synthetic counterpart, which may be problematic for installing on a home. A roofing contractor will need to perform an inspection of your roof to ensure that it will be able to withstand the weight of the heavier roofing material. If not, it is still possible to reinforce a roof so that you can install natural slate. This is not an issue with synthetic slate, which is lightweight and can be installed on your existing roof without issues.
Durability
It is best to install natural slate on roof surfaces that will not be walked on. This is due to natural slate being brittle under the weight of a person walking on the surface. Meanwhile, synthetic slate doesn't have this issue and won't crack from the weight of people walking on the surface.
Price
You can expect to pay much more for natural slate due to a couple of reasons. Natural slate is going to be more expensive for the raw material, but also cost more for the installation method and labor costs. Expect to pay half as much for synthetic slate due to these factors.
Life Expectancy
The good news is that both natural and synthetic materials have very long lifespans. Putting a slate roof on your home means that it will likely be the last time you ever have to replace your roof. Natural slate can last between 80 and 100 years, and synthetic slate will last between 50 and 60 years.
To learn more about materials for residential roofs, contact roofers in your area.
