A slate roof is basically a premium and strong roof system primarily made out of natural slate tiles and other slate roofing materials. It is very aesthetic for letting shingle manufacturers make asphalt shingles for mimicking its look. A slate roof is one of the long-lasting and most beautiful roof systems in the market. It can cost from $12 to $40 per square foot while undergoing an installation. This cost can particularly be affordable but you need to make sure that your house is not complicated. Complicated houses or too fancy slates often increase the overall price of a slate roof installation. A slate roofing company greatly needs to ensure that the installation is done properly so that a slate roof provides a long-lasting feature to your house.
5 Things to Consider Knowing for a Slate Roof Installation
A slate roof installation needs proper hands and a high-quality experience which only a professional can bring up onboard. Take a look below to know in detail about the 4 most important things for such an installation.
- Where It Comes From
The colour, cost and name of a slate roof are the only things that will enhance your knowledge. But most importantly, you should also be knowing about were slate roofs usually come from. This basically means the origin of a slate roof – name and location of the actual quarry. This is important because there are some quarries that have better reputations and warranties than others. You should look for slate roofs that are provided with a warranty period of at least 75 years. You would be luckier if any provides 100. The warranty contains a guarantee that if your slate roof develops rust-coloured, ugly streaks, such a slate manufacturer will pay for replacing the existing one and installing a new and better one.
- Sidelap and Headlap
The amount that slates overlap each other for keeping water out of your house is a critical factor. Knowledgeable slate roofing companies always make chalk lines on the felt underlayment for ensuring that there is adequate overlap. Slates should always overlap by at least three inches from the side known as sidelap. Alongside, more important is overlapping at the top of each slate which is known as headlap. You need at least three inches of headlap with a pitch of at least eight inches in height for every 12 inches in width.
- Metal on Metal
One of the most common materials that are used in slate roofing is copper but using stainless steel can save you money because it costs less than copper. Regardless of a metal used by your slate roofing company for installation and flashing purposes, the real key remains consistent only because of something named galvanic corrosion. There are some metals that will eat each other with time when coming in contact. This particular caution applies to metals that are used in ridges, valleys, flashing, rivers, nails, gutters, downspouts, drip and edges. Worrying so much is not needed as they do not come in contact with other metals.
- What a Contract Should Include
You need to understand that replacing a slate roof can lead you to make a five- or six-figure investment. Some people received contracts with half pages without any of such specifications. So, you should ask your contractor to include a clause in their contract which will state that they will build your roof maintaining every installation guideline drafted by a head association.
The best slate roofing company ensures that your house generates a unique and beautiful look after slate roofs are installed. With the beauty, your children and even your grandchildren can feel the new vibe for years and years and, therefore, can make the best of moments being together. For any additional questions about slate roofs, please contact our friendly team today.
