While softer ones are less expensive, they will need to be repaired and replaced in the future to ensure the integrity of the roof. The harder ones are more resilient, which is reflected in the price. Homeowners can purchase hard or soft natural slate tiles for their roofs. Then there’s the unexposed components of the roof to consider -such as the underlayment and drip edging, which will tack on another $100 per roof square. If you want a non-fading permanent shade of slate, add another 25 percent to the grand total. As time marches on, slate is prone to weathering lighter shades can change to gray, brown or even rust. Slate tile prices depend on the thickness and color. The price tag on materials alone can range anywhere from $900 to $1,700 per square (100 square feet). For comparison’s sake, the cost of asphalt shingles - the bestselling roofing materials today - start at approximately $50 per square. The price of slate tiles is not for the faint of heart so be prepared for sticker shock. While it can embellish any home, slate remains one of the more expensive options on the market. We also provide insight into the cost, colors and climate where slate can add an exquisite finishing touch to your home. They found their way into early European settlements in the American Colonies during the 17th century, and today, this material often adorns grandiose homes that have a Mediterranean, Victorian or Spanish architectural style.īelow, we have compiled information that presents the advantages and disadvantage of this beautiful, long-lasting roofing material. Slate roofs have a long history in Europe, where, due to the high cost, the material was used mainly by the wealthy or on military structures. This metamorphic stone can be formed into roofing tiles that are at once beautiful and durable. Setting the slating nail just right must be learned, but once learned it is a relatively easy task to master.A roof provides the home’s ultimate protection from the elements, yet not all homeowners possess extensive knowledge about the types of materials that can serve as a line of defense from Mother Nature. Over-nailing & under nailing can impose stresses on the slates and cause breakage. : Slate shingles must hang on their nails. Stainless steel roofing nails may also be used, especially for hard roof decks, but may make removal for repair work difficult. For S-1 grade slates used in new roofing, large head, solid copper roofing nails are most often specified. : It is critical that the nails used to secure roofing slates to the roof deck have an anticipated service life at least equal to that of the slate. Underlayments serve several purposes, the most important of which are to protect the roof until all of the slate and associated flashings can be installed and to help control moisture migration when it occurs. Roof underlayments include traditional asphalt saturated organic felts as well as many synthetic underlayments and ice dam protection membranes.

: Underlayments are installed on the roof deck, prior to the installation of the slate roofing shingles. The steeper the slope, the less water migration there will be. In slate roofing, water migration is controlled primarily by the angle of the roof’s slope. On the best functioning slate roofs, the water flows down slope parallel with the length of the shingle to the next lower shingles. : Considerations must be given to the extent to which water will migrate under the slate shingles. Minimum required headlaps and offsets should not be compromised. Laying slate with appropriate headlap and offset helps to accommodate wind-driven rain and the lateral movement of water below the slate shingles to prevent infiltration through the nail holes and side joints. : Headlap and exposure are related to each other, and the starting point for determining both is roof slope. Steeper roof slopes mean that rainwater will flow down and off the roof quickly which needs to be taken into account when looking at base flashing heights and gutter systems. Not only will slate shingles last longer on these steeper slopes, but they will be more visible from grade and show off their natural beauty. Anything above a 8:12 is preferred, and slopes in the 12:12 to 18:12 range are probably ideal. : Generally the steeper the roof, the better with regard to service life of slate.