Knowledge about roof tiles
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As with any roofing material, you should factor slate roof pros and cons into your list of considerations when you purchase a home with slate roofing. For starters, you need to consider slate roof life expectancy in relation to the age of the house. Additionally, you should learn about the right measures to take if issues arise with slate shingles during the time you own a property.
What Are Slate Roofing Tiles Made Of?
Slate roof tiles are made up of a natural stone known as metamorphic rock. Slate material can be found in different colors like black, dark green, purple and gray and more.
Overall, homes with slate roofing are among the best properties on today's market. However, any prospective homebuyer should learn some basic facts about the stone and its qualities before moving into a slate-roofed property. Read on for advice on buying a home with slate roof tiles.
Types of Slate Roofs
Once you've decided on a slate roof, you'll also want to consider the type of slate you're going with. Here are some various types of slate roofs worth considering.
Synthetic Slate vs. Real Slate Roof
Synthetic slate resembles slate but is usually made from an assortment of recycled materials. Many synthetic slate roofs look authentic and may even include chisel marks to make them look hand-crafted. While the professional slate roofer will be able to tell the difference, your neighbor likely won't be able to.
Synthetic slate roofs are good options for those looking for a more affordable or lighter alternative to traditional slate. Real slate offers benefits such as better insulation, longevity and authenticity.
Hard vs. Soft Slate Roof
You should also think about whether you want to go with a hard slate or a soft slate. Hard slate is extremely durable and long-lasting. It's also more resistant to fire and excessive moisture. If you're looking for a more affordable option, and don't require s durable a material, soft slate may be a beneficial choice.
As you can see, you'll have a lot of options to choose from, even within the category of slate. Base your decisions on the aspects that are important to you, such as appearance, authenticity, durability, cost and longevity.
How Old Is the Roof?
Slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing options available on today's market. In fact, slate shingles can last as long as 200 years in favorable environments. As such, many homes built in the late 19th and early 20th century still have their original slate roofing intact. Then again, if you purchase an older home with slate roofing, it is important to know some basic things about the background of the slate.
There are two basic types of slate roofing — hard slate and soft slate. Hard slate is one of the strongest types of roofing available regarding weather resilience and fire resistance. As a hard stone, slate will not absorb water or become warped from exposure to moisture. Furthermore, slate will maintain its composition for decades on end. Shingles composed of hard slate can last anywhere from 75 to 200 years.
Soft slate, as the name implies, is the less durable of the two. Even though it is a stone, its overall composition lacks the near-invincibility of hard slate. Consequently, shingles made of soft slate generally have a life expectancy of 50 to 125 years. Granted, soft slate still has the same weather-resistant and fireproof qualities of its harder counterpart.
Before you decide on the purchase of a home with slate roofing, learn about the age and quality of the slate. If the shingles are approaching the end of their natural lifespan, you might encounter old slate roof problems and have to replace them during the time you own the property.
What Is the Warranty on the Roof?
The terms of a roof warranty will often depend on the manufacturer. Some warranties will cover the roofing materials against defectiveness for several decades, yet only hold the contractor liable for a few years from the completion date of an installation. Certain manufacturers will guarantee their roofing materials for anywhere from 75 to 100 years.
However, not all warranty policies transfer from one homeowner to another. Some policies do transfer, but only once. Therefore, if a previous property owner installed a slate roof a decade ago, and now the current owner wants to sell, the next owner of the property will not be able to inherit the warranty.
Policies on roof warranties can also depend on local law. In any case, when you set your sights on a home with slate roofing, research the terms of the roof warranty and whether it will be transferable to you. If the shingles were installed poorly or the tiles become damaged due to severe weather, it is best to know in advance whether any roofing expenses will be covered.