Why Slate is a Better Roofing Choice

Slate is one of the most durable roof options available today. There are some slate roofs that have been around for centuries. While asphalt shingles may be popular because of  their low cost, Slate is still a better choice for many reasons. Here's are a few reasons why it makes a better roofing choice.

Classic Beauty
  Slate  has been used  in Europe for hundreds of years. They provide a classic look that modern imitations can't match. Roofing slates come in many colors, from classic black, grey and brown to greenish and even shades of purple. The slate will weather, developing its own unique characteristics. Man made roof coverings tend to look the same until they wear out and must be thrown away.

Longevity
  Even if  a slate roof is made using traditional hook or fixed by nail, it will last much longer than almost any other type of roof. Slate roofs can stay water tight for 80 to 100+ years with only very little maintenance. Even when a roof approaches this age, it rarely needs to be totally replaced.
Most slate roofs need some work as they get older, but many slate-roofed cathedrals and buildings have lived to be hundreds of years old. Compared to a asphalt shingle roofing system, which lasts only for about 15 to 20 years, or a metal roof, which lasts up to 40 years, slate is the longest option there is.

Durability
  As well as lasting a long time, slate roofs will survive harsh weather and other rough conditions without too many issues. Slate is water-resistant, while only absorbing to only about 0.4 percent. which means that it don't crack or fracture in freezing weather the way that clay tile sometimes does.

Slate roofs also do very well in high winds, such as hurricanes. Slate roofs  have managed to survive intact through storms that knocked down multiple trees and tare other roofing systems off. The weight and sturdiness of the slate keeps them intact even in hard weather. If a few slates do get damaged, replacing them is a relatively easy proses.

Hail storms do occasionally  cause damage to a slate roof. In some cases, the hail can even go right through the slate. The up side is, the damage occurs only on individual slates. That makes it easy to repair a hail damaged slate roof without a whole lot of expense or time. There are thinner styles of slate that will incur more damage. But Most of your heavier slate roofs can often shrug off even large hailstones.

Safety
  While slate is made from stone, it's  fire-resistant, unlike asphalt shingled roofs and plastic-based roofing systems. Slate is also a good electrical insulator, which was why it was originally used in early electric motors. Slate is very stable and strong, reducing  damage from hail or fallen electrical wires, hard rain, snow and other damaging factors.

Environmental Impact  
  Slate has a natural origin and last almost forever, slate roofs have some of the lowest environmental effects of any roof system. In most cases, slate is quarried from quarries  close by. For instance, many of the slate roofs in Europe use Spanish stone for their shingles. In the UK, Welsh slate is considered some of the most beautiful. US homes often use Pennsylvanian, Vermont, or Virginia slate.

 Slate and Tile information

  If you are in the Atlanta, Buckhead or midtown area of Georgia and have any questions or concerns about your slate or tile roofing system you can contact Scott Morrow of Scott Morrow Slate & Tile Roofing @ www,scottmorrowroofing.com

Scott Morrow has 20 years experience in the slate and tile roofing industry and has an extensive background and knowledge of modified rubber applications as well as custom copper fabrication applications.