Friday, April 19, 2024
HomePopularDo Slate Roofs Last Forever

Do Slate Roofs Last Forever

The Best Roofing Contractors In Belle Meade Tennessee

100+ Year Roof Options

You now have a good idea of how much your new roof will cost in Belle Meade, Tennessee. Remember, the costs we cover in this article arent exact.

If you want an even better idea of the cost numbers for the specific materials this article covers, multiply them by your roofs square footage. If you dont know how to calculate your roofs square footage to properly use the numbers we mentioned, check out How to Calculate the Square Footage of Your Roof.

After reading this article, youre ready to start your search for a great roofing contractor in the Belle Meade, Tennessee, area. Unfortunately, there are too many options in Belle Meade and the rest of Nashville that its hard to spot a reputable roofing contractor.

While were confident we can take care of all your roofing needs in the Belle Meade area, we understand were not the right fit for everyone. Thats why we wrote an article on the 7 Best Belle Meade , Tennessee, roofing contractors were confident recommending to homeowners like you.

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services in Belle Meade, Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and other surrounding areas. No matter if you need roof repairs or a full roof replacement, you can count on our workmanship backed by a lifetime warranty to give you a roof that will last for decades.

If you think were the roofing company for your Belle Meade roof replacement, dont hesitate to contact us today for all of your roofing needs.

How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last

In the US, asphalt shingles are the most common roof material. Theyre expected to last somewhere between 15 and 25 years, but bear in mind that there are different types of asphalt shingles.

The cheapest three tab asphalt shingles are likely to have a lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. More expensive are architectural or dimensional shingles, but they could last up to around 25 years and can withstand more testing weather conditions. The most expensive premium versions could last up to 30 years and tolerate the highest maximum wind uplift.

How Long Does The Tile Roof Underlayment Last

The lifespan of tile roof underlayment varies depending on what it is made of and what kinds of conditions it is exposed to. The underlayment typically has much lower lifespan than the tiles, which means if you have a tile roof, youre more or less guaranteed to need to replace the underlayment eventually. A wide range of factors can reduce its lifespan such as extreme heat or cold, pests, or physical damage from debris. If the underlayment fails, water can quickly damage your roof, which can threaten its structural integrity.

Asphalt felt is the oldest and most common type of underlayment, and it typically lasts anywhere from 20 to 30 years, but in some cases it can last as little as eight. Newer synthetic or rubberized asphalt underlayments are much more durable than asphalt felt and offer better protection against water. These underlayments can last 25 years or more with inspections. Its important to schedule regular inspections of the underlayment every 3 to 5 years, or after you suspect it has been damaged, to maximize its lifespan.

Don’t Miss: Do I Need Permit For Roof Replacement

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Slate Roof

The average cost to repair a slate roof is about $1,672, with a range between $705 and $2,639. Small repairs like replacing individual shingles may cost as little as $250, but restoring a major portion can cost up to $5,000. A new slate roof costs over $10,000 to install, so even major repairs are usually worthwhile.

How Long Does A Green Roof Last 40 Years

17 Best images about Old slate roofs on Pinterest

A green roof is not incredibly common on your average home in the U.S. but more so on commercial buildings or large modern builds that have a flat roof area suit for a green roof installation. They are highly beneficial, especially in more urban populations, and over their 40-year lifespan, they can save the owner thousands of dollars due to their incredible energy-efficient capabilities.

Green roofs are basically a green space on a roof made up of plants that can provide extensive coverage over the surface, improving stormwater management, insulating the building, and even improving air quality. Green roofs have been found to collect up to 80% of rainwater compared to only 24% in standard roofs. This water only helps to grow the plants on the roof and can be collected for gardening and helps create a home for bugs and birds in the area.

Not only that, but green roofs reduce the urban heat island effect . It also improves air quality, naturally insulates the building, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and extends the life of the roof that would otherwise be lost with other flat roof materials.

Don’t Miss: What Size Hail Damages Roofs

How To Make An Asphalt Roof Last

Though asphalt roofs are widely regarded as low-maintenance, regular inspections are key. Most local contractors are trained to professionally and properly care for, and repair, asphalt roofs. Keep your asphalt roof clean and free of debris, and be sure to do regular inspections. The state of your shingles is the state of your roof: worn shingles, loose shingles, cracked shingles, and missing shingles are all a sign that you may need an inspection or repairs. Should an issue arise that may call for repairs, youll want to call a professional right away. The quicker the issue is resolved, the smaller the damage and the costs.

Choose Merlins Roofing Corp For Your Next Slate Roofing Project

Merlins Roofing Corp is proud to be partnered with Miranda Craft Roofing for all of our slate roofing projects. Miranda Craft Roofing, owned by Daniel Miranda, is a renowned slate installation company based in Toronto, Canada. Merlins Roofing Corp is proud to work with North Country Slate which is mined in Canada and Vermont, the USA meaning the stones are well suited for our climate. They also only sell premium S1 quality slates, which is the best quality slate that can be bought. Dont be fooled by a cheap slate which may seem more cost-effective but will be a wasted investment.

Also Check: How To Do A Living Roof

Pros Of A Real Slate Tile Roof

Owners of real slate roofs appreciate the fact that natural slate tiles last and last. In some areas of the country, a real slate roof will hold up for at 100 years or more. Thats a big plus when you consider the abuse roofing takes from Mother Nature and all her storms.

Another advantage of a real slate roof is its natural resistance to fire. Unlike many other types of roofing materials on the market today, real slate can stand up to everything from wildfires to sparks from a burning barbeque. In addition to real slate being fire resistant, youll also find that same sought-after quality in composite slate roofing. Discover more pros to composite slate roofing HERE.

Synthetic Slate Roof Cost

How to SLATE a roof – Set out a slate roof & bottom row

If your slate roof is nearing the end of its life, you may be considering a replacement. Of course, replacing a slate roof with a new slate roof would be ideal, but it can be an expensive proposition. Slate roofs cost about $1,500 per square installed. A square is a standard 10 x 10 unit used by roofers. The square footage of your roof is usually about equal to the square footage of your house. So a 2,000 square foot house would have a 2,000 square foot roof, or 20 squares in roofing terms. Installing a new slate roof would cost about $30,000. With that kind of cost, you may be rethinking your ideal slate roof. Luckily, there are cheaper options that still look just as good.

Due to the high desirability and high cost of slate, there are a number of synthetic lookalikes on the market. Slate-look roofing is available in many materials, including ceramic, cement, metal, and even plastic. These lookalike materials may not last quite as long, but they are much cheaper. They are also much lighter than slate. That means that they can be installed on homes that werent built for slate without adding extra supports.

One slate-look product is Celadon Ceramic Slate. It costs about $450 a square installed, or less than one-third the cost of slate. StoneCrest is another slate alternative. It is made of galvanized steel and comes with a lifetime warranty, similar to real slate. But at $350 $600 a square installed, it can easily save you 50% or more over slate.

Recommended Reading: How To Remove Black Mold From Roof Shingles

Can You Pressure Wash Slate Roof

Along with strong chemicals, a pressure washer could damage your slate roof. There are also several safety considerations. You are not able to walk on slate roofs like you can with other roofing. Since slate roof tiles do not sit flat against each other, it is easy to snap them when pressure is applied.

Roofing Slate Fading Versus Mottling

Fading versus mottling: It is important for an inspector to distinguish between the mottled edges-in whitening and fading. By contrast to the efflorescence process, fading slates generally fade monotonically across the slate rather than from edges in.

Faded slates will not show an obvious whitish powder of surface deposited mineral salts as thick as that left by efflorescence. All slates will fade from weather exposure. Those which have only minimal color change are classed as “permanent” or “unfading”. Those which change more markedly are classed as “weathering”.

Monotonically means that the color change is even across the material rather than showing up as a splotch, or a ring of white around darker color, or in other variations. It’s a nice word, not recommended for inspection reports.

We’ve heard several explanations for the mechanism by which Pennsylvania slates deteriorate, of which the most interesting was the opinion that lime in the slates in the presence of moisture reacts to break down organic components in the slate. For slates higher in carbon or carbonaceous materials this may be indeed the most accurate explanation.

Pennsylvania “Black Bed” quarried slates were high in carbonaceous impurities and were recommended by the Slate Association only for temporary buildings or for chalkboards. By the 1920’s this slate was recognized as not as durable you’d not expect to find it surviving on a building in 1991.

Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, p.71-76.

Also Check: Is Red Roof Inn A Good Hotel

Assess At Least Twice A Year And After Severe Weather

At least twice a year, and after severe weather, you will want to give your roof a thorough inspection. From your yard, look for any loose or crooked shingles. Keep an eye out for rotting trim, sagging, and any apparent discolorations. Usually, youll be able to note missing shingles, sagging, rot, and holes from below. To get the best assessment of your roof, however, youll want to get up close and personal. Ascending a ladder and investigating your roof from above will give you a better understanding of the true state of your roof. Youll want to look for cracked shingles, worn shingle granules, and any moss or mold growing on or under the shingles. By assessing your roof twice a year and after severe weather, you can catch small problems before they grow into larger problems by pursuing targeted and immediate roof repairs.

Example Of Surface Delamination On A Roofing Slate

Interlock® Metal Shake Shingles

The photographs provided here show how soft roofing slates can become. These slates might, from a distance, look pretty good, but we were easily able to crush the slates with my fingers.

We do not agree that we should call this “rotted roofing slate” as did Mr. Trapasso, but on seeing how soft and delaminated this slate can become, we can understand his loose use of that term.

It is useful to contrast the above “soft crumbling roofing slate” with the surface delamination of the roofing slates shown at left.

The slates in our photo may look questionable from the ground but a closeup inspection may show, as this one did, that the slate body is still thick and hard, and it is surface delamination of the slate that was visible from the ground.

These slates are not yet at end of life.

These photographs make clear that it can be tough to accurately evaluate the condition of some slate roofs from ground level – a close-up inspection is needed to distinguish between the slate roofs in our photos shown here.

The first is or really past end of roof life and the second slate roof has good life remaining.

Don’t Miss: How To Tell If Your Roof Is Damaged

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.

Learn More About Slate Roofing And What Type Of Slate Will Perform Best For Your House

One of the most recognizable rooftop materials, slate has been used for roofing since the 1600s. Because of its historical roots, some homeowners are quick to assume that slate tile roof life expectancy is relatively low, based on misassumptions of fragility for this traditional material. In reality, some slate tiles can stand the test of time in the right conditions. With that said, not all slate tile offers this type of longevity, which is why its important to know what type of slate will perform best for your house.

What is slate roofing?

Slate roofing can be identified by its distinct slabs, which are typically cut into flat rectangles and installed in an overlapping formation. The tiles are cut to be standard grade, textural, or graduated and the most common colors include gray, black, dark red and green. Because slate is a naturally occurring rock composed of various mineral components, the color, texture and durability can vary.

In fact, slate is actually a crystalline rock that forms when clay and fine silt sediments are transformed into bedded shale and undergo a geological process that changes their form. During this natural transformation process, various minerals, like mica, chlorite and quartz, take shape, too. These particular minerals offer low porosity and low absorption which just happens to be ideal for areas of a home that need enhanced weather resistance, like rooftops.

Installation and cost

How long does slate roofing last?

Also Check: How Many Types Of Roofs Are There

How Much Will Your New Slate Roof Cost

Now you know what impacts the life of your slate roof. Remember, a slate roof is considered a lifetime roof.

As long as you hire a great roofing contractor with experience installing slate roofs, your investment will be well worth it. But how much money will you actually have to invest into a new slate roof?

Unfortunately, the roofing industry doesnt like to be open about pricing. But were not like other roofing companies.

Thats why we wrote another article, so you know what to expect from a price point for your new slate roof. The next article gives you the cost of a slate roof per square foot and the factors that impact the price.

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has proudly helped the residents of Nashville get the roof of their dreams since 1990. While we give you a great-looking roof, we also back up our high-quality workmanship with a lifetime warranty. If youre local to Nashville or a surrounding area, dont hesitate to contact us for all your roofing needs.

To learn how much youll have to invest in your new slate roof, check out this article on How Much Does a Slate Roof Cost? .

Does The Roofing Company Provide Maintenance As Needed What Kind Of Maintenance Is Required

NATURAL SLATE ROOF – First Attempt at Roofing!

If you have full or partial slate roofing on your property, it is important to choose a company that will offer maintenance work, if needed, should problems arise. Maintenance work will often be covered under warranty with the roofing company. However, each company has different policies, so the length of the warranty and the types of issues that are covered will depend on which company does your roofing.

Slate, in general, requires little or no maintenance because the stone does not rust, warp or attract mold. As such, a slate roof is unlikely to be damaged by usual weather conditions or natural events short of an earthquake or a tornado. That said, slate tiles can crack if you walk on them. Therefore, it is best to avoid walking on a slate rooftop for any reason. Trim nearby tree branches, so they don’t land on the rooftop. If your cat likes to climb up walls, don’t let it out of your sight when you let it roam outdoors.

When problems do arise with slate shingles, the issue is typically down to tiles with face nails, on which the fastener gets exposed over time to rainfall, snow and water buildup, which can lead to rusty nails that ultimately fail to hold the shingles.

Recommended Reading: Can You Put A Roof On In The Rain

Pros Cons & Costs: Slate Roofing Tiles

Slate roofing tile has a long and storied history, and is generally known as one of the highest quality, longest lasting roofing materials on the market. On the other hand, the high cost, difficult installation, and relative fragility of slate roofing tile means its not ideal for everybody. In this segment of Pros, Cons, & Costs, well examine all sides of this timeless roofing solution.

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular