Slate is undoubtedly one of the most widely used roofing materials adorning millions of homes, commercial, public and historical buildings today, with many in Sydney and in the South Coast including the Southern Highlands. While many people are aware of this material, there are various facts that you might not know.
Intriguing facts related to slate roof tiles:
- Slate is a natural and fine-grained variety of metamorphic rock formed through the metamorphosis of clay, volcanic ash, and shale.
- It is only possible to use slate tiles on roofs that are steeply sloped.
- The chemical composition of slate obtained varies based on the quarry it is obtained from. Colours of natural slate tiles also vary based on where they are sourced from.
- If maintained well, a slate roof can last for more than a century without significant damage or appearance deterioration.
- Slate roof tiles are capable of resisting acid rain and other chemical corrosion agents.
- Much of the slate used for roofing purposes was actually formed about 500 million years back.
- Durability is one of the key factors for the popularity of slate as a roofing material of choice. High durability results in lesser cracking and breakage.
- Slate is a roofing material that needs to be split by hand.
- Buildings dating back multiple centuries have slate roof tiles. One of the earliest records of slate roofing on a building was in North Wales during 1287.
- Many famous castles, cathedrals, and churches have been roofed with slate tiles due to the durability and resistant nature of the material.
- Vermont in the USA is known to produce the highest quality of slate.
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards are used to evaluate the longevity of slate tiles.
- Some of the most popular slate tile colours are black, grey, red, purple, green and mottled purple.
- Slate offers remarkable fire resistance due to being non-combustible in nature.
- A building has to have strong structural integrity for being able to support the weight of slate tiles. Slate roof tiles are quite heavy and thick tiles can weigh up to 2500 pounds per square (100 square feet is considered as a square).
- Some very popular shapes of slate tiles include hexagon, diamond point, fish scale, gothic, scalloped and clipped corner.
- Slate whose colours stay intact and fades very slightly is known as permanent or unfading slate. The slate that witnesses considerable colour change due to weather factors is known as weathering slate.
- Slate is a roofing material which can be recycled even after a century of usage.
- Mildew and mould do not deteriorate the condition of slate tiles.
- Some popular varieties of slate include Welsh Penrhyn slate, Spanish Del Carmen slate, Canadian Glendyne slate, and Welsh Cwt-y-Bugail slate.
- Slate is also used for a great variety of flooring applications.
- Staining is rare in the case of slate roofing tiles.
- Compared to other roofing materials slate generally requires far lowers repairs and maintenance.
- Slate is also known for its insulation properties. It can keep heat trapped indoors during winters, and prevent the harsh rays of the sun from coming in during the summer season.
If you have been won over by this amazing durable roofing material, please get in touch with slate roofing professionals at The Slate Roofing Company.
