Slate roofs date back for centuries as a common material with which to roof one' home. Long before the United States was settled and established as a country, slate roofs appeared on the homes of many early settlers. In fact, archaeologists have unearthed these types of roofs during digs at the early colony site of Jamestown, Virginia.
Today's slate materials typically originate from quarries in New York or Vermont. In fact, both states feature over 400 slate quarries that produce and sell this material for the purpose of roofing.
Slate appeals to homeowners as it is a durable, natural material. Slate is made from natural stone from under the earth's surface; it is formed in part from high geothermal pressure and heat. Additionally, it features a fine grain, which can add to the appearance of a home's roof. Because it is made from stone, these roofing tiles can withstand a range of weather conditions, including extreme heat, rain, hail, and wind.
Homeowners wanting to use earth-friendly methods with which to build or remodel their homes may also consider installing a slate roof. Slate does not decompose and has little negative impact on the environment. In fact, it is noted that this type of material can be recycled and removed from older homes' roofs and installed on those of newer homes. With that, environmentally concerned homeowners may appreciate that their roofing choice had no detrimental effect on the earth.
Despite its being an earth-friendly material, slate can be more expensive than other roofing choices. As a matter of fact, some homeowners may find the cost of installing a slate roof to exceed their budget. With that, possessing a slate roof can carry a significant amount of prestige and even inevitability among other homeowners. Because slate roofs are desired, some home construction companies will offer imitation slate that offers a similar appearance for less expense.
Even with its being a durable material, slate roofs must be regularly maintained, repaired, and replaced as necessary. Such a roof may suffer damage from its tiles cracking or splitting, either from natural wear and tear or from poor installation. In addition, these roofs, as with roofs made from other materials, may leak, especially if it is neglected and not properly maintained.
Repairing a slate roof entails removing the damaged tile or tiles and then reinstalling new tiles. Again, as slate is not an inexpensive material, repairing such a roof can be costly so it is important to get several roofing quotes from several contractors, especially if a homeowner's insurance policy will not cover part or all of the expense. Even more, if a home has an original slate roof that needs replacing, some homeowners may be unprepared for the expense of the job and opt for replacing the entire roof with another material.
Home construction experts recommend that homeowners inspect their slate roofs regularly and make repairs as needed, no matter how little or insignificant the repairs may seem. These same experts also have acknowledged that owning and maintaining a slate roof may entail more concern and attention.
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