Roofing Systems
Natural Slate Roofing
Natural slate is quarried stone split into roofing shingles. It is the most demanding system we discuss, both for the structure beneath it and for the installation itself.
What this material is
Slate roofing shingles are cut from natural stone. Thickness, size, and color vary with the quarry the stone came from, and there is natural variation from piece to piece within the same order.
Properties and applications it may suit
- Historic and architecturally significant homes where slate is the appropriate material
- Structures whose framing and decking are confirmed able to support the weight of the selected slate system
- Owners who want genuine stone rather than a product that imitates it
- Projects where the additional installation time and care are understood up front
Appearance and customization
- Natural color variation across the roof, including gray, black, green, purple, and red tones depending on the stone
- Graduated or uniform coursing depending on the design
- Visible thickness and irregular edges that distinguish stone from synthetic imitations
- Copper or other appropriate metal flashings are often part of the look
Installation considerations
- Suitability begins with structure. Slate is heavy, and the framing and decking must be evaluated for their ability to support the selected system before planning the project
- Where the structure is not adequate, structural work by a qualified professional comes first
- Slate is fastened rather than adhered, and hanging technique, headlap, and nail placement all matter
- Flashings are a defining part of a slate roof and are detailed with the same care as the field
Maintenance considerations
- Do not walk on a slate roof; stone breaks and a broken slate exposes the roof
- Have broken or slipped slates replaced by someone who works with the material
- Keep valleys and gutters clear, and watch metal flashings as they age
- Periodic inspection matters more than routine cleaning
Common questions
- Is my house strong enough for slate?
- It has to be evaluated. Natural slate is heavy, and the framing and decking must be confirmed able to support the selected system before the project is planned. If the structure is not adequate, structural work comes first.
- How is natural slate different from synthetic slate?
- Natural slate is quarried stone. Synthetic slate is a manufactured product shaped to resemble it, at a lighter weight. They look similar from the street and are completely different to install, repair, and support structurally.
- Can slate be repaired, or does the whole roof have to be replaced?
- Individual slates and flashings can usually be repaired or replaced. Matching stone on an older roof takes effort, so we look at the roof before saying what a repair involves.
Talk through natural slate on your property
We will look at your roof, explain what the system would involve here, and answer your questions before you decide.
Educate. Facilitate. Add value.