Natural and synthetic slate shingles are quite possibly the most durable roof shingles you can find for your money. Some of these roofing products have been around for hundreds of years, and the roofs that protect some of the old houses they were meant for, that haven’t been restored yet, are still standing today.
The thing about slate, however, is that despite its beautiful appearance and durable construction, it’s still quite expensive. So, the question is: would it be a good idea to consider it, based on its numerous benefits, or should you just go with a cheaper alternative like metal or clay?
The Remarkable Durability and Timeless Qualities of Slate Roofing
Slate roofing is not only one of the most durable roof shingles your money can buy, but also one of the most timelessly appealing you can consider.
Even if you don’t know much about roof shingles, you probably already know that most people are attracted to expensive roofing products because of their appearance. Slate isn’t any different; in fact it’s quite possibly the most beautiful and diverse of all roofing choices you can consider, allowing you a lot more freedom of expression through color and texture, and ensuring that the roof will maintain its timeless appearance for decades to come.
The most important advantage of slate roofing is its remarkable durability. Slate is the unquestioned king of durable roofing shingles, far surpassing the life span of any other roofing product you can think of buying. Unlike the 20 years of asphalt, 30 years of wood and 50-75 years of metal roofing products, most slate can easily last for up to 100 years, and many older roofs are even known to have been in place for more than 150 years.
Natural slate is also ecologically viable and fire-resistant. Unlike other materials, slate tiles are completely fireproof, as they won’t ignite because of sparks or even when subjected to an open flame. Also, unlike asphalt shingles, not only does slate not create as much waste, but natural slate can easily be reconditioned or recycled, and roofers experienced in roofing Wichita KS homes are able to even lower some of the costs of slate by using recycled material.
The Price – It’s Not as Bad as It Seems!
Even though the national average when it comes to slate roofing costs almost reach $10,000, a lot of that is because of the new reinforcements and technological advancements associated with the manufacturing and installation cycle of slate roofing.
In most cases, however, you can get a reasonably priced slate roof for as little as $4,000 or $1,500 per square. These rather conservative estimates can be discussed with your local roofers, along with some of the pros and cons of buying slate at such a low price. If money is no problem, however, you’ll find some of the longest lasting and most impressive roofing designs to go as high as $25,000.
As you can see, there are a lot of advantages of slate roofing that fully account for its slightly elevated price. With slate, even though you pay a little more upfront, you get a high quality roof that will likely outlive most of the other features of your house. Slate is undoubtedly one of the most durable roof shingles you can buy at a reasonable cost, and your new slate roof will likely be in place for your children and grandchildren to enjoy as well.
