When investing in a new roof for your home or the property you manage, it’s important to consider which type of material to choose carefully. There are quite a few different roofing materials available, each offering its advantages and disadvantages.

When it comes to residential or commercial roofing, selecting a quality material can greatly impact your property’s overall safety, comfort, and functionality. So, it isn’t a decision that should ever be taken lightly. One type of roofing material that’s worth considering is slate roofing.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of slate roofing and the details of slate roofing repair and replacement.

What We’ll Cover:

What Is Slate Roofing?

 If you’re unfamiliar with slate roofing, it’s a type of roofing material featuring shingles made from natural rock. Slate rock contains various minerals, including chlorite, quartz, muscovite, and plagioclase. Slate shingles are very hard and durable, and although slate is naturally a blue-grey color, slate shingles can come in many different colors. In addition to roofing shingles, slate is frequently used for countertops, flooring, electric panels, and blackboards.

Advantages of Slate Roofing

Performance and Safety

Perhaps the biggest advantage of slate roofing is that it’s a high-quality, high-performance material. For one thing, slate is an exceptionally waterproof material, making it very unlikely ever to experience leaks. So, you likely won’t need to worry about water damage or mold in your attic when your home features this material. Due to its dense and heavy composition, slate offers above-average wind resistance. Plus, slate shingles are inflammable and non-conductive. Overall, it’s a very safe choice for your residential roofing.

Longevity

Another benefit of slate roofing is its impressive longevity. If you choose a reliable roofing services company to install your slate roofing, you can expect it to last extremely long. Since slate is a natural product, you never need to worry about manufacturing defects. Sometimes, your residential roofing services are all set for as long as 75 to 100 years!

Insulation

When the Massachusetts weather is at its harshest, having good household insulation is imperative for you or your tenants. Fortunately, slate roofing is known for providing wonderful insulation. It’s very difficult for either warm or cool air to penetrate the dense, heavy material, which will help to keep your property nice and comfortable through all seasons. This will also help to keep your HVAC system healthy and prevent wasted energy.

Aesthetics

Slate is a quality choice when it comes to improving curb appeal and making your property look as good as possible. The material’s unique texture and appearance will make your home one of the nicest-looking homes in the area.

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Downsides of Slate Roofing

Price

The price is the main thing that discourages homeowners and property managers from investing in slate roofing. Because it’s such a high-quality, long-lasting roofing material, slate is more expensive than asphalt shingles and most other roofing. However, you will undoubtedly earn back some of that extra money in the long term, as slate roofing can save your home a lot of energy during winter and summer.

Impact Resistance

Although slate roofing is extremely durable regarding wind damage, fire damage, and pest resistance, it’s not as durable during direct impact. For example, if a tree branch or some other heavy object collides with your slate shingles, there’s a very good chance they’ll become cracked or broken. So, during your next professional roofing service estimate, inspecting regularly for damage is important. Fortunately, your local roofing services professionals will have no problem repairing your slate shingles.

Weight

When considering slate for your residential roofing, it’s important to consider the weight of the shingles. Slate roofing is very heavy, and some household roofs are not built to support it properly. If not accounted for, this can become a serious safety hazard. When you consult with qualified roofing professionals, they can evaluate your home to determine whether slate is viable.

How to Tell When You Need Slate Roofing Repair

If you decide to invest in slate for your home or the property you manage, taking good care of it is imperative to protect your investment. Because slate shingles last so long, you’ll unlikely need to worry about having your roof replaced soon after it is installed. However, you may periodically need to have it repaired by roofing services experts. Listed below are a few of the most common signs that your slate roof requires professionals repairs:

  • Cracked, broken, or shattered shingles
  • Discoloration
  • Water damage, mold growth, or an unusual amount of moisture in your attic
  • Missing shingles

As long as you keep up with regular roofing inspections and take care of any needed repairs promptly, your slate roof should last you for many years. Any time there’s a significant storm in your area, it’s wise to inspect your slate roof to check for any signs of damage. If you’re uncomfortable doing so yourself, you can hire local roofing professionals to handle the inspection.

Key Takeaways

If you’re looking for a quality roofing option for your home or managed property, slate roofing could be an excellent choice. Although relatively expensive, it provides excellent value through above-average safety, longevity, and resistance to water and the elements. As long as you keep up with regular maintenance and repairs with your local professional roofing service, it should serve you exceptionally well. If you’re ready to invest in slate or need other residential roofing services, call us today to schedule a consultation.

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The #1 Slate Roofing Repair Service in MA

Altitude Roofing is family-owned and operated, with decades of experience and a passion for delivering honest, reliable roofing services. That’s how we became one of Massachusetts’s most trusted residential roofing companies, a Google Verified Business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

We offer a 15-year limited roofing warranty (half the lifespan of a new roof) on all our jobs. Our workmanship warranty is twice as long as other major roofing companies in Worcester, MA. We proudly stand by our residential roofing work for a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

As part of this commitment, we have achieved certifications from some of the industry’s most well-known manufacturers: Carlisle, Atlas, CertaTeed, GAF, Firestone, and Genflex. You can count on our team of skilled professionals for exceptional service and quality craftsmanship. Contact us today for free roofing estimates!

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