Slate is arguably the highest quality roofing tile that a Houston roofing contractor can install on your home. It is also among the longest lasting roofing materials. However, slate does have drawbacks. Installation is not easy. The tiles are expensive and somewhat fragile. Here are the facts about slate roofing tiles.
The Benefits
Because it is a natural stone product, slate tiles give a home a stately, classic appearance. No other tiles are as distinctive. Slate comes in various thicknesses and sizes. It is easy to match slate tiles to your home since they are available in black, red, green, gray, purple and mottled designs that combine a few colors.
Slate roofs last a long time. If you use slate tiles for a Houston roof replacement, you can expect that the roof will last 100 to 150 years. Many other roofing systems have a maximum lifespan between 20 and 30 years. Slate’s longevity can make up for the original cost of the tiles.
Slate roofs are extremely fire resistant. The tiles are totally fireproof. They will not ignite due to airborne sparks from nearby house fires, wildfires or fireworks.
More than 5 percent of waste in landfills in the United States is roofing material. The majority of that is from asphalt shingles, which require replacement after a few decades. Slate is the most environmentally friendly roofing material on the market because of its long service life.
The Concerns
The most obvious concern when considering slate tiles is their cost. However, there are other factors that come into play when you hire a Houston roofing company to install a slate tile roof.
Many roofing companies claim to have experience with installing slate tiles but very few really do. Their knowledge base may be limited to what they have read or a handful of jobs they have performed. However, if a customer asks for a slate roof, these inexperienced companies will take the job regardless of their inability to do it properly. Never hire a roofing company to install slate tiles without asking for several references. If the references include nearby homes, drive by to look at them. Be sure to call the homeowners to ask if they are satisfied with the installation.
Slate is heavy. Slate tiles weigh between 800 and 1,500 pounds per square, which is 100 square feet. Your building must be carefully examined to guarantee that it is strong enough to withstand the weight of a slate tile roof.
While slate tiles last a long time, they can be easily damaged. A fallen tree limb can chip or crack the tiles. If an air conditioning repairman walks on your roof when performing a repair, the tiles can be broken. Damaged tiles cannot be repaired, and it is hard to replace them because they are sold in lots. Perfectly matching new slate tiles to your old ones is difficult if not impossible.
The Cost
Probably the worst thing about slate tiles is the price. They can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 per installed square. Sometimes, they are available for $1,000 to $4,000 per square. That initial expense can be as much as five times more than other roofing materials, such as asphalt or wooden shingles. However, slate tiles will last five times longer than other materials. In the long run, the cost is mitigated by the longevity.
If you are looking to replace your existing roof or put a new roof on a new building, you should consider slate. Call Paramount Roofing at 713-748-4000 for answers to any questions you may have. We have the experience required to install slate tiles correctly, and we have references for your convenience.