Slate Roof installation

What Is Slate? 

Slate is a fine-grained crystalline rock formed through the metamorphosis of shale or mudstone under low pressure. When mudstone or shale comes in contact with intense heat and high pressure as a result of tectonic activity, the clay minerals metamorphose into mica minerals. Biotite, muscovite, chlorite and other mica minerals are some of the primary components of slate.

Slate is formed through foliation, an interesting process where metamorphic rocks become repeatedly laminated by differential pressure or shearing forces. As a result, rock layers form perpendicular to the direction of the metamorphic compression pressure. It is this process that allows slate to split along flat planes.

Slate quarried for roofing is exceptionally dense, durable and long-lasting, with a lifespan of a century or longer. It's longer-lasting and higher-quality than most other roofing materials. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and sizes, and can be used to create beautiful architectural effects. 

Why Choose Slate as a Roofing Material?

Slate is a fine-grained crystalline rock metamorphosed from bedded deposits of clay, silt and different minerals. Its unique composition gives it several unusual characteristics as well as a wide range of variation in color and texture — features which make it an excellent choice for roofing applications.

Slate quarried for roofing stock is very dense and exceedingly durable. It can last for a century or longer due to its high strength, low porosity and low absorption rate. Compared to alternatives such as asphalt and wood, slate shingles are known as one of the highest-quality, longest-lasting roofing materials available. The many different colors, sizes and textures of slate afford many architectural effects, contributing to the appearance and beauty of any building.

What Properties of Slate Make It a Good Roofing Material?

There are several reasons why slate has remained a popular roofing material. The benefits of slate roofing include:

Good looks: 

• People are drawn to slate because of its highly distinctive appearance. Its subtle variances can't be replicated by a synthetic product. At the same time, slate is an exceptionally versatile material that will blend in well with both contemporary and historical homes — check out our gallery below to see examples and get inspired for your project.

Choice: 

• Think all slate roofs look the same? Think again. Huber & Associates sells custom slate roofing tiles in varying sizes, thicknesses and colors. You can combine slates of different colors on your roof and make an impressive mosaic. Slate looks great on practically any house style, and we can help you assess your design goals and recommend a product that brings your creative vision to life.

Longevity: 

• Slate roofs can last for 100 years or more if properly constructed and installed. In many cases, a well-designed slate roof will outlast the home it's installed on. For this reason, slate roofing offers excellent long-term value that more than makes up for its higher installation cost.

Low maintenance: 

• Natural slate roofs do not require much care. A professional inspection every one or two years should be all that it needs.

Easy repair: 

• If a slate roofing shingle becomes broken or damaged, a professional roofer can easily replace or repair it. For this reason, it's a good idea save some shingles left over from the installation — this way you can be sure that the replacements will match.

Fire resistance: 

• Slate roofing is one of the most fire-resistant roofs. As a result, slate is an excellent choice for dry, hot parts of the country where fire is a constant danger.

Water resistance: 

• Due to the exceptionally low absorption rate of slate, water cannot make its way inside, which would lead to cracking if it froze. While leaks are a common problem for most roofing materials, slate is completely leak-free and will stay that way for its entire lifespan, assuming that it was installed correctly, and the rest of the roofing system also consists of high-quality materials.

Insect resistance: 

• Insects generally cannot burrow into or lay eggs in slate roofing.

Temperature regulation: 

• Slate also has natural insulation properties that help keep your home a more stable temperature, which will, in turn, lead to lower energy bills. It is the high density of this material that helps prevent large fluctuations in temperature. This is because rock heats up very slowly, and only the side that is exposed will heat up dramatically.

Environmental friendliness: 

• Slate can last a century or longer, meaning that its environmental impact is considerably less than other roofing materials. Additionally, slate is a 100% natural material that can be harvested without ecological disruption. It’s also free of the plastics and chemical treatments found on synthetic shingles.

Increased home value: 

• Even if you don't plan to stay in your home forever, investing in a slate roof may still pay off if you can afford it. Because slate is so beautiful, durable and long-lasting, a slate roof can boost the value of your home. This means that, when it comes time to put your house on the market, you can ask a higher price than if you had opted for another roofing material.

Color:

• Slate's unique composition gives a wide range of variation in color and texture — features which make it an excellent choice for roofing applications. The color is typically indicative of its mineral composition and, while most slates are a shade of gray, some regions produce red, green, purple, brown and black slates as well. A reddish slate is typically due to an abundance of hematite, whereas green is a result of chlorite. Black or darker grey slate tends to have carbonaceous materials, and yellowish-brown slates generally contain limonite.