Why Slate Roofs are a better choice than other roof types

Our home is our largest investment, so it’s only natural that we want to take proper care of it and protect it for years to come. Roof maintenance, restoration and sometimes replacement is the best way to protect the structure of our home from elemental damage. We have several options in Melbourne when it comes to roofing materials including metal, asphalt shingles, slate tiles, concrete and clay tiles. Every material type has its good and bad points, so take your time and evaluate them before you choose new roofing material for your home. For now, let’s take a look at four reasons you should choose slate roofing over all others.

1. Life Span – Properly applied slate roofing lasts longer than all of the other materials. Metal roofing lasts roughly 100 years, but it does show signs of oxidation and will rust during that time. Proper care can reduce the amount of oxidation and extend the life of the material. Oxidation will also over time cause the original colour to fade considerably to eventually be an almost different colour. But slate roofing tiles are actually made of a stone like substance; therefore they do not succumb to oxidation or fading and other issues that plague other roofing materials. Concrete tiles will eventually fade to a neutral color and become porous whilst terracotta tiles won’t fade but often become brittle with age.
2. Resistances – Slate tiles are completely fireproof because stone doesn’t burn. Installing a fireproof roofing material increases your home’s overall protection against fire.
3. Low Environmental Impact – Concrete and terracotta tiles are very common in large residential areas and may need to be replaced about every 30 to 40 years. As a direct result of more frequent replacement, these roofs end up in landfills because they are not recyclable. Slate tiles routinely last roughly five times as long as tiles as they’re a natural made product similar to stone. This makes them the much better choice long term.
4. Aesthetic Appeal – Metal, concrete and terracotta tiles are the three most commonly used roofing materials in today’s Melbourne standard building projects. They look nice, but they’re… common. Slate roofs are not nearly as common. Their sleek low profile and uniform flat appearance tends to draw more attention than any other types of roofing seen in Melbourne.. They’re an excellent way to enhance your home’s overall aesthetic appearance. Remember … when viewed from the front, one third of the homes’ view is actually the roof.

Types of Homes with Slate Roofing

Slate can look amazing on any type of architecture from Melbourne’s original period property to the newest of modern constructions. Slate tiles can be sourced in a range of colors to match other parts of your home or to complement your existing color schemes.They can be installed in many different patterns and laid with a large or small exposure and thus creating an entirely different look for unique architect designed homes. Victorian and Edwardian period properties often boast very old original slate roofs that don’t necessarily have to be entirely replaced, but can often be repaired or restored instead. Such treatment can often extend the life of old slate roofs to give many more years of useful service.

The Price Point

The primary concern we hear from most homeowners is generally the initial price. Yes, slate tiles cost more per tile and they are more labour intensive than their concrete, terracotta tile or metal counterparts. However, we always recommend stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. Installing good quality guaranteed slate roofing tiles in 2016 means that your home doesn’t need new slates until at least 2166, and even then it may only need repairs. A home that is passed down from generation to generation may skip entire generations in regards to roof repairs, restoration and replacement.

Abardeen Roof Slating is a family owned and operated business located in Melbourne, Victoria. We’ve been installing, restoring and repairing slate roofs for more than 35 years. We strive to retain the overall integrity of the existing roof and roofing materials. When a replacement is needed, we offer advice as to the most suitable slate choices.  Call us at 0403 022 137 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Abardeen Roof Slating & Tiling 66 Eglinton St Moonee Ponds VIC 3039