A roof is one of the best features that gives a home its uniqueness. It can improve the home’s architectural style while also boosting its exterior appeal. Before you make this investment, there are a few considerations you should make if you’re thinking of giving your house a slate roof. First of all, it is a naturally occurring substance derived from metamorphic rock.
The advantages of using a slate roof include the following:
- Durability: They ought to last 4-6 times longer than any other type of roof if properly placed.
- Style: They enhance the aesthetic of your home.
- Fire-resistant: The slates are fire resistant and thus offer you less reasons to worry upon.
- Eco-friendly: They are environmentally friendly and are composed of natural rock.
Slate is also popular for being a roofing material that has some installation-related problems. Here are a few problems associated with slate roofs:
- Cost
One of the major issues is the weight of slate tiles. Homeowners must consider the fact that slate roofs demand a lot more weight than other options. It is critical to understand that a home’s structural support can withstand the added weight imposed on it by these roofs, which can weigh up to 800 pounds per square foot on average. A house can droop and even collapse beneath its own weight if it is not structurally robust enough to support it.
- Difficult and long installation
Slate roofs are simple to maintain after installation, but the actual installation is time-consuming and challenging. Slate tiles are not as easily accessible as other roofing materials, which contributes to the installation problem. Simply getting the materials to the project site can take up to three months. Following that, if you hire a pro to handle the project, the installation itself may take an average-sized home three months to finish. As previously indicated, if the house requires additional structural support, installation may be more challenging and time-consuming.
- Fragile
Once it is placed, slate can withstand wind and hail damage. This does not imply that it is unbreakable, though. The slate pieces grow more brittle after being cut and fashioned to fit on your roof. Because of this, walking on them is risky. Slate roofs will increase the cost of repairs.
- Technical repairs
Making sure your roof is functioning properly is always vital. However, no matter how well you maintain a slate roof, occasionally some of the pieces may break. When this occurs, you must contact a slate-experienced roofer. To fill in the gaps on the roof, they will need to cut and shape the necessary parts. At the same time, be cautious not to harm the nearby pieces any further. This is not a repair job that a novice homeowner should attempt.
Conclusion
Although choosing a slate roof is challenging, once it is done, you will undoubtedly enjoy it for many years to come. It is important to choose the right roofing contractor like the team at The Slate Roofing Company to help you with installation and easy repairs. Contact us now!
