If you are deciding on a material for your roof, you need to do your research to find the best choice for your unique situation. The look of a slate roof can turn heads. However, slate is not for every homeowner. If you need installation or repair in Nebraska, call Nelson Contracting at (402) 464-2418.
Types of Slate Roofs
The styles of slate roofing require different methods of installation. The technique used by your contractor is mostly determined by the materials available to them. The types of slate roofing include:
- Uniform. The tiles of slate are all cut the same length and width. They are evenly spaced and carefully aligned.
- Random width. These tiles have a standard installation, but the tiles vary in width, so the joints are not aligned.
- Patterned. It is easy to create patterns on slate roofs by using tiles or different colors or shapes. Some roofers can create floral designs or geometric patterns.
- Textural. If your roofer has slate tiles with different textures and thicknesses, it creates a rougher appearance.
Since slate comes from different locations around the world, the material comes it a wide variety of colors.
Benefits of Slate Roofs
Many homeowners are drawn to slate for its beauty. Slate roofs tend to look elegant and regal. However, it has many other advantages, including:
- Longevity and durability. Slate is a good choice if you need your house to last forever. Hard slate roofs can last from 75-100 years. Many slate roofs will last longer than the building they are sitting on.
- Being environmentally friendly. As a natural material, slate manufacturing does not give off pollution. Additionally, slate can be recycled continuously.
- It is fireproof. Unlike many other roofing materials, slate is 100% fireproof.
Slate can give your home a timeless look and add value to your home. It has been used for roofing purposes for centuries, as you can see on many old European buildings that are still standing.
Drawbacks of Slate Roofs
There are many times when slate is not the right solution for your home. For that reason, synthetic slate roofing alternatives exist. As for quarried slate, here are some of the cons of slate roofing:
- Installation. The process of installing a slate roof can be complicated. Your contractor needs to know what they are doing to install slate properly. Otherwise, your roof could quickly have problems.
- Weight. Slate is heavy. Not only is the installation strenuous, but the weight may disqualify your home. Your house structure has to be strong enough to carry the weight of a slate roof. It may help to get your house evaluated by a contractor before considering slate tiles.
- Difficult to replace. If you do need to replace or repair your slate roof, it may not be easy. Slate is hard for contractors to walk on because it breaks when stepped on. Also, it can be hard to find an exact match for your roof if you don’t know where your slate came from. This problem occurs because almost all slate is different.
A slate roof can be a great choice for your Nebraska home, but you’ll want to get a professional opinion. Be sure to check out our service areas! Call Nelson Contracting today at (404) 464-2418 to get a quote.
