If you want your home to have a stately appearance and be well protected, slate is a wise option for your Houston roof. It is a natural stone formation that is easily split into thin sheets. Those thin sheets are then sliced into 3/16-inch (5 mm) roofing shingles that are exceptionally durable. Due to its weight, slate resists wind very well and provides lasting protection against driving rains. Large hailstones are among the few things that can harm a slate roof.
Slate is available in a wide variety of natural shapes and colors, such as green, red, black and gray. Because it is so beautiful and durable, it is frequently installed by a Houston roof company on historic homes, government buildings and libraries. A slate roof can last anywhere from 60 to 200 years depending on the quality of the slate. Its natural beauty enhances the appearance of any building.
It can be laid in a large variety of patterns to achieve different appearances. Like clay tiles, slate’s biggest drawback is that it is very heavy. Slate is a low-maintenance roof covering that is more expensive than most roofing materials and a professional installation may require extra support for the roof.
A Houston roofer must have special training to install slate because it is hung from nails and is not glued to the roof. It needs to be handled properly because it can be broken during the installation. Slate works best on steeply sloped roofs that shed water easily. Since it is quarried in Virginia and the northeastern states, slate is more commonly used in the eastern areas of the U.S. It is, however, popular for historic Houston residential roofing.
Fireproof and Environmentally Friendly
Slate tiles are completely fireproof, which is a major benefit. Airborne sparks from adjacent house fires or wildfires will not start a fire on a slate roof.
Slate is also environmentally friendly. It has been estimated that 5 percent of all waste sent to landfills is from roofing projects. Most of that is asphalt shingles, which have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Slate’s incredibly long lifespan makes it a very ecologically sound choice. In addition to that, when a building is torn down, the slate tiles can be recycled. Making slate shingles from sheets of slate requires little energy as well.
Synthetic Slate
For homeowners who want the look of slate but cannot use real slate tiles because their home cannot handle the weight, synthetic slate is a viable alternative. It is lighter and less expensive than natural stone. Synthetic slate is environmentally friendly because it is a recycled material made from post-industrial synthetics. It is quite durable, easier to install than real slate, requires no additional roof reinforcement and is available in a variety of blends and colors. It is an economical choice that has a lifespan of 40 to 60 years.
Paramount Roofing has the skill and experience to install a beautiful, durable slate roof on your Houston home. Call us for your roof repair, replacement or new construction needs.