Slate Roofing
The Complete guide
Your Guide to Commercial Slate Roofing
If you notice that you have missing or broken slate roof tiles or you have a roof leak, you landed in the right place.
This guide is for you.
In this slate roof tile guide ››
You're going to learn everything you need to know about:
- The different types of slate roof tile materials
- The different types of slate roof tile styles
- Color options with slate roof tiles
- How to select a slate tile roofing contractor
- And lots more
Let's get right to it.
Slate Roof Material Types
What is a Slate Roof?
A slate roof is comprised of overlapping slate roof tiles securely attached to a solid substrate or roof deck on a sloped roof.
Sometimes called a hundred-year roof, when a slate roof is installed properly - it could last 100 years or longer.
Slate tile roofing is a very specialized field of roof installation...
And requires a contractor that is experienced in working with and installing slate roof tiles on various types of projects.
You will find slate tile roofing systems on all kinds of residential, commercial, and historical properties - from resorts to museums and roofing for churches to educational institutions.
What are slate roof tiles made of?
Slate roof tiles are a natural roofing product made of hard rock known as metamorphic rock.
The genesis of this type of rock starts deep in the earth, where heat and pressure transform minerals, clay, volcanic materials and other compounds into very dense rock.
Black and gray slate roof tile colors indicate high carbon content, while minerals such as hematite and iron give some slate colored hues.
Natural slate can be sourced in shades of blue, purple, red, green, brown, tan, and others.
In the United States, slate roof tiles first appeared in the northeastern part of the country, where large slate deposits were found.
Due to the popularity of the aesthetic created by slate roofing, there are also many "faux" slate roof tile options...
Designed to create the look of slate using materials like clay, composite, rubber, asphalt shingles, and more.
It is important, however, to educate yourself on the type of materials used in construction of any synthetic slate roof tile products you may be considering.
While there are some excellent synthetic slate roofing products available, there is no substitute for the real thing.
To get started, let's take a look at some common types of materials used to manufacture slate roof tiles.
Natural Slate Roof Tiles
Natural slate roof tiles are sourced from a variety of slate quarries across the world.
Some slate roof installations use a consistent tile color across the entire roof, while others combine slate from various sources to create beautifully blended roof colors and textures.
Roof Shingle Styles & Shapes
3-Tab roof shingles are a low-cost option for some property owners. Recognizable by their rectangular shape and offset layout, 3-tab roof shingles were dominant until architectural shingles were developed in the 1970s.
Standard Uniform Slate Roof
According to the National Slate Association, there are several primary styles of slate roof systems, a few of which we will cover below.
The most common is the standard slate roof which uses 1/4" to 3/8" thick slate with tiles of standard lengths and widths and square cut butts.
A standard slate roof is laid in uniformly spaced courses in an offset pattern with alternating vertical joints.
Patterned Slate Roof
Slate tiles with color variations can be used to create repeatable patterns across the roof for a unique roof design.
Patterns may be created in geometric shapes or with different shaped slate tiles used in various locations of the roof.
While the amazing roof design on the Matthias Church in Budapest (shown below) uses ceramic tile for its patterned roof design, you get the idea roof pattern design options.
Textural Slate Roof
Natural slate by nature is non-uniform.
When you use varied shapes, thicknesses, and widths across the roof, it creates a rougher more textured appearance.
Chipped edges, corners, and the like are common with this style of roof.
Asphalt Shingle FAQs
How long do slate roof tiles last?
In the absence of catastrophic hail damage, many slate tile roofs can last 100 years, 150 years or longer. In fact, there are multiple examples of slate roofs in Europe that are over 400 years old. Some slate manufacturers offer 100-year warranties on their products.
How do you walk on a slate tile roof?
First, we recommend that you do not walk on a tile roof, unless you are a trained roofing professional with experience in tile roofing. Overlapping roof tiles are prone to break under load. However, if you must walk on a tile roof, we recommend stepping near the edges on overlap areas that are supported directly underneath.
What is meant by fading (weathering) or unfading (semi-weathering) slate?
Unfading (semi-weathering) slate is that which changes very little from its freshly installed color. The color holds fairly consistently through decades, sometimes centuries. Fading (weathering) slate is a slate roof tile that experiences color and shade changes over time. It should be noted that the strength and durability of fading slate is unchanged.
Can you install slate tile on a flat roof?
Slate tile roofing systems require a slope. Using roofing tiles on a flat roof is generally not recommended. Slate is commonly used as cladding on exterior walls as well.
What are slate roof tiles made of?
Natural slate roofing tiles are made from metamorphic rock with varying natural minerial composition which gives slate its colors. Synthetic or faux slate tile materials include: terracotta clay, ceramic, concrete, steel, aluminum, copper, plastic, composite, polymer sand, and others.
Can you replace a shingle roof with a slate tile roof?
Yes, in some cases you can replace a shingle roof with a slate tile roof. However, when choosing your next roof system material, weight is a consideration. It's important that your structure is designed or reinforced to handle the heavier weights associated with certain slate roofing products. If you roof structure cannot handle the weight of natural slate, there are lighter weight synthetic slate alternatives.