Slate has long held its place as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and durable roofing materials available. Some of the world’s greatest buildings have slate roofs that have withstood the ravages of time and the elements. Let’s talk a little more about:
- How slate roofing materials are made
- The advantages of installing a slate roof
The one downside to slate roofs is the high initial investment in labor and materials. For years, this has put slate roofs beyond the reach of most property owners. However, slate roofing technology has improved immensely, allowing manufacturers to offer their genuine slate products at more reasonable prices.
How Slate Shingles and Tiles are Made
Slate is a foliated metamorphic rock known to form smooth, easily-stackable sheets of stone when struck with specialized tools. When broken into flat sheets, slate retains its beautiful natural appearance. Slate varies in coloration, with gray being the most common. Variations include green, cyan, and purple slate.
Even when it is split into sheets, slate retains its low water absorption index of less than 0.4 percent. This outstanding water resistance makes it an excellent weatherproof roofing material. The risk of frost damage and cracking from freeze-thaw cycles is also significantly reduced with slate.
The Advantages of Installing a Slate Roof
Any Kansas City roofing contractor will tell you that slate roofing offers several advantages. It gives buildings an expensive, old-world charm and increases their property value. The following are some of the main upsides of choosing a slate roof:
- Unmatched longevity – 150 years is a reasonable expectation for a properly constructed slate roof’s longevity. There’s a record that’s tough to beat.
- Aesthetic appeal
- Exceptional weather, fire, spark, and pest resistance
- Eco-friendliness – The positive environmental impact of a roof that can last 100 years or more (i.e., less roofing waste sent to landfills) is a significant plus.
- Low to no maintenance costs
Finding a contractor who knows what he is doing is vital for a slate roof installation project. At the Redhammer Roof Group, our roofing experts have years of training and experience under their belts and know how to properly install slate without wasting materials. With our help, your property can have a topnotch slate roof that can last well into the next century.
For more information, call our office at (816) 965-6220 today!