Slate roof how long does it last

A solid roof can help you feel safe and secure in your home, giving you and your family peace of mind. This is one of the reasons why slate, which is known for its durability and resilience, is a popular roofing material. But how long does a slate roof last? Slate is an extremely popular roofing material for good reason.

Slate roofs are aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly, and even fire-resistant. Depending on the type of slate you use, materials can cost up to five times more than other roofing materials. For many, this is an automatic dealbreaker. However, before you decide against a slate roof on cost alone, you should consider its longevity.

A typical residential roof lasts up to 25 years before it needs to be replaced. How long does a slate roof last? Metal roofing often takes the form of roofing sheets that is laid in panels with the seams overlapping along the roof slope.

These types of roofs are easy to maintain and are very durable against the elements. They have a lifespan of around 30 to 50 years, which puts it far ahead of asphalt shingles, although some homes may not be suitable for metal roofing. Traditional tiles are made from terracotta clay, but you can also get ceramic tiles made of fired clay. These are a popular choice due to their aesthetics, but they require sturdy roofing and framing to hold the weight. When properly maintained, you could see clay roof tiles last for up to years or more.

These tiles are very hardwearing, but they are susceptible to cracks. When cracks occur, the damaged tiles should be replaced as soon as you spot them to prevent any damage from worsening. Don't worry about minor typos or errors in posted questions. In your first photo I can't see enough in your photo to be certain, but in general you should beware of opting for a total replacement of a slate roof when all that's needed is to repair a few broken slates or to fix some flashing.

Watch out: repair bids from or actual work by someone who is not a slate roof expert risks tossing out material that could have a very long remaining life sometimes hundreds of years depending on slate quality and replacing it with year material instead.

I hope you won't do that. Thank you very much for your comment. I am only concerned with the state of the roof from about satellite dish to the left, towards solar panel, as my neighbour seems to have a newer cover on his part.

What happens, when the house is divided and one part is of the sound quality and other worse? I have posted the other part toward the chimney later on, which seems to be worse.

I still hope repair is possible. I certainly will bear in mind, what you have said about discarding good old material and replacing with newer, not so good quality. This is a comment to my previous photo: I am only concerned with the state of the roof from the solar panels to the left of a cable, as the rest is my neighbour and seems in a better condition.

Attached picture of another part, from the other side. On by Sarah - does this slate roof need replacement? If the slates are extremely soft I doubt that coating them with a polyurethane would be enough - you'd have to glue the underside of the slate to a supporting piece of wood or metal.

I have obtained several old slate roof tiles from a family barn. They are soft and will crumble if not handled carefully. I am looking to preserve some pieces for family heirlooms. Is there anything I can do to help strengthen them? Thanks for your assistance! Please reply to ymgabel21 gmail. Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

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Contact Mr. Cranor at or by Email: johncranor verizon. Harris, P. We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.

This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided.

The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow gmail. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions. Contact Roger Hankey at: - rogerhankey47 gmail.

Website: www. Hankey is a frequent contributor to Inspect A Pedia. Arlene Puentes [Website: www. Puentes can be contacted at ap octoberhome. Overhanging trees present a couple of major problems for slate roofs. For one, they provide consistent areas of shade that prevent the roof from drying out properly and allowing the growth of moss and mould. The other problem is the danger caused by falling debris like broken branches, which can damage or break the slate and cause the slates to slip and come loose from their fixings.

The final factor that affects how long a slate roof lasts is how well it is maintained. Proper maintenance of a slate roof requires regular inspections of the roof to identify early warning signs such as damage to individual slate tiles, slipped slates or faulty flashing. Even these small issues will become big problems if they are not addressed early. If you need help installing or repairing your slate roof, please get in touch and see how we can help.

Fully qualified in traditional roofing works. October 6, am Slate is a fantastic natural roofing material that can offer a unique rustic appearance to any property. How long does a slate roof typically last?