There is much more to a slate roof than its curb appeal. Slate roofing has been used for centuries, particularly in historic and high-end homes. The main reason for this is its appearance. However, there are several other factors to consider when investing in a roofing material for your home, including cost, lifespan, and the pros and cons of your preferred material. This is why our expert roofing specialists at 6D Roofing LLC have created this detailed guide to help you make an informed decision the next time you’re going roof shopping.
Understanding Slate Roofs:
A slate roof is a high-quality roof system that mainly comprises mined slate tiles and some accessories. Being one of the roofing systems with the highest curb appeal, it is known for its premium appearance, which is often seen replicated in other materials too. Overall, it is a very durable roofing system, but its tiles are very delicate and need careful handling.
Top 5 Factors Affecting Slate Roofing Costs :
The general lifespan of well-maintained slate roofing systems can be anywhere from 75-100 years, but for this, it must also be installed and flashed properly. However, if your old slate roofing system has suffered a lot of damage over time, you’re probably concerned about replacing it.
Here are 5 factors that can affect slate roofing replacement costs:
- Most homes need roof reinforcement before the installation, which can add $1,000–$10,000 to the total cost.
- Just as roofs with chimneys need waterproofing and more flashing, steeper roofs need more caution, hence installation costs more.
- Tearing out and disposing of the old roof also has its expenses, which are usually $2-$5 per square foot.
- If you’re getting roof re-slating services, the tearing off costs will be excluded, and your overall costs per square foot will become $8-$16.
- Even though slate roofs need less maintenance, you should still have your slate roofing inspected and cleaned once a year. Cleaning it costs $0.30–$0.70 per square foot.
| Did you know? Installation, foot traffic, weather, and maintenance are some of the most important factors that can determine how long your slate roofing will last. |
Slate Roofing: Pros & Cons Analysis:
Just like any other roof, slate roofing systems also come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages that make them unique. If you’re confused about whether you should choose slate roofing for your house or not, here is a pro and con analysis to help you out:
| Slate Roofing Pros | Slate Roofing Cons |
| Long lifespan of up to 100 years. | Expensive. |
| Fire-resistant and energy-efficient. | Being as heavy as 8–10 pounds per square foot poses the need for retrofitting. |
| Unique appearance | Tougher installation that can only be done by experts. |
| Eco-friendly. | Costlier installation. |
Average Cost Breakdown For Slate Roofing:
On average, slate roofing on a 1,500 square foot house can cost from $7,500-$45,000. With the mean average being $30,000, 40% of which goes to material costs and 60% goes to labor. Generally, natural slate is more expensive than hybrid and synthetic slate, harder slate roofing shingles cost more than others, and lastly, professional installation costs are higher.
Slate roofing costs, as per slate type, look like this:
| Slate Roofing Type | Estimated Cost Range (Per Square Foot) |
| Natural | $10-$30 |
| Ceramic/Clay (Synthetic) | $8-$11 |
| Composite (Synthetic) | $4-$8 |
| Fiber Cement (Synthetic) | $5-$12 |
| Rubber (Synthetic) | $8-$11 |
When it comes to the hardness and softness of natural slate roofing types, you should expect costs like:
- $20–$30 for hard slate.
- $10–$30 for soft slate.
The size of your roof directly impacts the amount of work and material needed for installation. This is why you can ignore this when estimating your slate roofing costs.
Here’s what to expect:
| Roof Size (Square Feet) | Estimated Cost Range |
| 1,200 | $12,000–$36,000 |
| 1,600 | $16,000–$48,000 |
| 2,000 | $20,000–$60,000 |
| 2,400 | $24,000–$72,000 |
| 3,000 | $30,000–$90,000 |
Calculating Slate Roofing Replacement Costs: 3 Simple Steps:
Even though slate roofing options tend to last for an incredibly long time, there can always be certain conditions that force you to spend on repair or replacement. For example, rot, sagging, rusted flashing, mixture damage, and broken/chipped shingles are all signs that you need to invest in slate roofing replacement.
If you want to calculate the estimated slate roofing replacement cost, follow these 3 simple steps:
- Take your house’s square footage. Try to be as accurate as possible.
- Multiply the value you got by the pitch multiplier for an average roof, which is 1.12.
- Now that you have the estimated square footage for your roof, multiply it by the average cost per square foot, which is $15.
Conclusion:
Slate roofing comes with many benefits, like a unique appearance and a long-lasting surface. However, there are also many disadvantages to consider when investing in slate roofing, such as an expensive and tougher installation. This is why it is crucial for homeowners to know about the different kinds of factors that impact slate roofing costs as well as the pros and cons of getting it installed in your house, so that they can make the right choice when their house needs it.
FAQs:
Are slate roofs high maintenance?
Yes, slate roofing systems require a certain level of maintenance to last long.
Can slate roofs leak?
Yes, significant damage caused by storms, high winds, and hail can cause leaks in slate roofing.
Are slate roofs waterproof?
Yes, slate roofs’ extremely low water absorption abilities make them waterproof and insulating.
