Slate Rooves

[Douglas]

Anyone have any experience with these? Got any advice, thoughts, pitfalls? Knowledge on different types of slate, relative qualities, how to make sure to get the right stuff?

It's all kind of a mystery to me at this point, and the only resources I can find seem to be manufacturer sites, vs. independent voices.

 

[yachtie]

Slate has an indefinite lifespan but (and it's a big but) the waterproofness depends on an membrane placed under the slates. this may las a good long time but eventually, the slates need to be removed and the membrane replaced. Also, slate is brittle and shouldn't be used where ice or the like could fall on it. it is also better suited to steep pitches.

 

[crazyquik]

It's also
1) expensive as . . . it's very expensive

Like $1000 per square, installed.
2) will need a properly designed house and rafter system, because it's very heavy. You're not going to be able to easily retrofit slate onto a home which originally had asphalt shingles.

There is also synthetic slate now, which is lighter and cheaper, but still heavier and more expensive than asphalt.