Is A Slate Roof Expensive

What Is A Slate Roof

Slate tiles are made of metamorphic rock naturally occurring in nature and can last for hundreds of years. The cool thing about slate is that the colors can vary depending on what minerals are in the rock. That color can weather over time and give even more dynamic colors and textures to the roof tiles for a unique look. No two slate tiles are going to look the same. Slate has been one of the oldest used roofing materials for centuries, thanks to its durability and longevity. The return on investment for a slate roof is one you wont find with any other material.

One Last Consideration When Comparing Synthetic Slate To Natural Slate Warranty

The synthetic slate roofing material will come with a manufacturers limited lifetime warranty. Natural slate will not have a warranty other than the craftmanship warranty from the roofing company that installed the roof. Many people find it difficult to make a big investment into a slate roof when there is not a manufacturers warranty which makes it imperative to hire a reputable, skillful roofing company.

Composite slate roofing is also a big investment for a roof especially compared to an asphalt shingles replacement. Installing the roof properly is critical to the lifespan of the roof. Choose a roofing company that provides a craftsmanship warranty, has good reviews, and has a substantial online presence.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Roof Tiles Uk

For a complete replacement of a tiled roof, you can expect an average total cost of £10,000. Individual roof tile replacement will naturally be a lot cheaper, with prices starting at around £170 for up to five tiles. Quotes will be calculated upon inspection as there may be access issues that drive up the total cost.

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Are There Different Types Of Slate Available

When most people think of slate, they tend to think of natural slate, the sort you see on cottages and homes in Wales and Cornwall. But there is more than one type of slate:

• Natural slate natural slate is the product with the exceptionally long lifespan and is available in a wide variety of colours depending on the source, this is the most expensive
• Fibre Cement slate probably the most popular alternative to natural slate largely because of its cost. As well as a wide variety of shades, there are also more choices with regard to style, for example, fibre cement slate is available in diamond shapes. Fibre cement slate does not offer the incredible longevity of natural slate but it does have the advantage of being a lighter material so can be fitted to conservatory roofs without the requirement to upgrade the supporting structure
• Bituminous slate is made mainly of long bitumen strips or as it is often known, asphalt. These slates are also called roof shingles. They are light and flexible and can be easily cut to size and finish with a smooth appearance like natural slate. The flexibility makes them a good installation choice over eyebrow windows and domed roofs

Slate Roofs: Everything You Need To Know

A roof provides the homes 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. Slate is one such roofing material. This metamorphic stone can be formed into roofing tiles that are at once beautiful and durable.

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. 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.

Below, we have compiled information that presents the advantages and disadvantage of this beautiful, long-lasting roofing material. We also provide insight into the cost, colors and climate where slate can add an exquisite finishing touch to your home.

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How Much Does A New Metal Roof Cost

There are two types of metal roofs: a standing seam metal roof and a screw-down metal panel roof. While theyre both made of metal, they have very different price points.

A new screw-down panel metal roof costs around $4.50 per square foot to start.

On the other hand, you can expect a new 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $12.00 per square foot for a one-story house with a basic up and over roof with no penetrations and no valleys.

For a more complex roof on a one-story home, you can expect a new 24 gauge steel standing seam metal roof to cost around $15.00 per square foot.

If youre interested in a metal roof for your upcoming residential roof replacement, I recommend a standing seam metal roof.

Check out Metal Roofs: Standing Seam vs. Screw Down Panels to see how the two types of metal roofs stack up on more important factors other than cost.

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Historic Value And Benefits Of Slate Roofs

Putting the cost of slate into proper perspective means considering the value it offers. A quality asphalt roof will at most last 30 years, with the average composition shingle roof lasting only 15 to 20 years on most homes. Wood or cedar roofs average 25-30 years of service life with proper maintenance.

Metal will last 35 to 60 years on average. Slate roofs, on the other hand, can last up to 100 years when properly installed.

Being a natural stone, it is a dense material, and quality slate tiles are thick and durable. When slate roofing is properly installed, then multiple centuries are sometimes possible in terms of the overall roof longevity.

For the reason of superior durability and longevity, but not only that reason, Slate roofing has a tremendous ROI. Add in the idea of natural beauty, and homeowners benefit from recouped value when a house with a quality slate roof is sold.

In terms of the expected cost to value return, metal roofing tends to have the highest ROI of most roofing systems at around 75% to 86%, and while there is no clear-cut data on ROI for slate, it is likely in the low to mid 80 percent of cost-to-value return range.

Being a natural material slate is, without a doubt, Eco-friendly. Its durability and longevity alone ensures this.

While an asphalt shingled roof will likely go through at least 5 tear-offs during a 100-year span, thus adding to landfills, a Slate roof will still be going strong. And the kicker is that slate is, or can be, recycled.

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Slate Roof Costs Per Square Foot

The average cost of installing slate shingles ranges broadly from $1.50 to $30 per sq. ft. installed. The total cost of the project differs depending on the size of your roof and the type of slate you choose. You can expect to pay more for a larger roof than a smaller roof and less for synthetic slate shingles than natural slate shingles for each roof size. The chart below outlines the cost per square foot to install a slate roof for different roof sizes:

Slate Roofing Costs: The Complete 2022 Uk Pricing Guide

A slate roof is a worthwhile investment, especially if you are going to live in your home for many years to come. Apart from its attractive appearance, a slate roof is long-lasting and durable.

In this guide, we give you the approximate costs of laying a new slate roof. We also tell you about repairs and roof renovation. You can learn what goes into laying a slate roof and the types of slate you can choose from.

Youll also find out how to find a slate roofing installer and the question to ask when you talk about a quote. We compare slate to other roofing materials and answer some common frequently asked questions.

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Davinci Slate Roof Cost

The cost of DaVinci slate tiles is about half of the cost of natural stone, averaging between $8 and $12 per sq. ft. DaVinci products are modeled from actual slate for a natural, very authentic appearance. Their shingles are engineered to be lightweight, easy to install, impact-resistant, and keep their color longer. DaVinci offers slate in three different tile options: single-width, multi-width, and bellaforte. DaVinci works to deliver the highest quality of products without the challenges of a natural slate roof while respecting your budget. They offer a lifetime warranty on all of their products.

Mid Range Slate Roofing Cost

Mid range projects will typically run $15 to $20 per square foot for the completed project – this includes all of the tiles, which we are assuming are the mid range S-2 tiles. It includes removal of your existing roof material, all additional materials the roofers will need, as well as the labor portion of the project.— Price Range: $15 to $20 psf fully installed —

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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring A Roofer

Always write down the questions you want to ask a roofing contractor. That way you wont forget anything important that you want to be included in your quote. Common questions to ask a contractor are:

• What experience do you have installing slate roofing?
• Do you have a website where I can look at your past projects?
• If you dont have a website, do you have a portfolio with photographs of work youve completed in the past?
• Do you have references or testimonials from your previous customers?
• Are you a member of SPRA or NFRC?
• Do you organise the scaffolding and is the cost included in my quotation?
• Do you organise any rubbish removal?
• Have you got public liability insurance? (This is important because if someone has an accident on your land because of the roof repair, they could take you to court. The roofers insurance will cover you against these claims.

Finally, make sure you get a written quote and that it includes everything you want the contractor to do.

Entry Level Slate Roofing Costs

Entry level slate roofing projects will typically run $10 to $15 per square foot – this includes all of the tiles, which we are assuming are the less expensive S-3 tiles. It includes removal of your existing slate or concrete roof tiles . It includes all additional materials the roofers will need, as well as the labor portion of the installation. — Price Range: $10 to $15 psf fully installed —

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Does A New Roof Increase Home Value

A roof replacement does increase home value. A roof is one of the most critical parts of a home, and its essential to keep it in good condition. A new roof can improve the appearance of your home and increase its value. If youre thinking about selling your home, a new roof may be the best investment you make.

Cost To Install Slate Roof

The average cost to install a slate roof is $15,000 to $30,000 for a 1,500 sq. ft. roof. Installing a slate roof is a labor-intensive project requiring the work of a specialized roofer that charges approximately $50 to $100 per hour. It takes approximately 10 hours to install one square of natural stone. For a 1,500 sq. ft. roof, you can expect to pay between $7,500 and $15,000 in labor. All necessary materials should be included in the estimate from your roofing contractor so that your final bill does not have any surprises.

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How Much Does Slate Roof Cost

The average cost of a slate roof starts at $20,000 or more. This is not surprising, since slate is king among all forever roofing materials. Its set far apart from the rest in terms of exceptional curb appeal, durability and long lasting service.

Across Europe and US, slate roofs have been used to cover upscale homes and palaces for centuries. They have a time proven track record of resistance to severe weather, a service life lasting well over 100 years, and a classic look that never goes out of style.

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What Are The Different Types Of Slate Roof Tiles

The types of slate roof available in the UK are:

Natural slate Natural slate tiles are distinctive, durable and long-lasting. They dont fade and they dont need a lot of maintenance. You can expect a natural slate roof to last for more than 100 years.

The biggest advantage of a natural slate roof is it has extremely low water absorption and therefore it is perfect for homes in the British Isles which has a high annual rainfall.

Man-made slate Man-made slate is made from synthetic resin and ground down slate. They will be less durable than natural slate, but they are available in a greater variety of colours.

Because the colour isnt natural though, it will fade over time and you will need to have the roof re-coated. The cost of repainting a roof depends on the size, but a semi-detached property will cost approximately £1,500. Expect to pay more if you live in London.

They are larger than natural slates and therefore take less time to install. They should last 30 years or more.

Fibre cement slate Fibre cement slates are made from a mixture of fibres and cement. Old tiles made before the year 2000 could contain asbestos, but now, all new tiles comply with current laws and they are asbestos-free.

They are lighter than man-made or natural slate roofs which makes them easier to install. Cement fibre tiles are delivered with a coloured coating. And you can choose a smooth or textured design.

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Cedar Shake Roof Cost $500

Cedar shake roofing is a roof covering thats made from cedar shakes. Cedar shake roofing is a popular choice for homeowners looking for a unique and stylish roof. The cost of a cedar shake roof can vary depending on the type of roof you have installed, but you can expect $5.00 to $10.00 per Sq ft and is more expensive than an asphalt shingle roof.

The Weight Factor Of A Slate Roof

You just learned what impacts the cost of your new roof. But theres still one more factor specific to a slate roof that wasnt included in the list above.

Thats the weight factor that comes with getting a new slate roof. Slate roofs are incredibly heavy. Because of this, your house actually has to be built or framed to carry the weight of the slate tiles.

This ensures the walls of your home wont fall out and that your roof wont cave in. If your home cant withstand the weight of the slate the way it is, youll have to retrofit it so it can hold the weight.

This has to be approved by a structural engineer, and it must be done before the roof can even be installed. If you have to do retrofitting or new framing, its really going to add to the cost of your new slate roof.

If youre interested in a slate roof, its crucial to ask your roofing contractor about the weight factor and how retrofitting your home to handle the weight impacts the final price of a slate roof.

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Roof Repair Or Replacement

As you will have seen from the table above, a new roof will cost between £3,500 and £10,600, depending on roof size.

A slate roof repair on the other hand will cost a lot less. For example, replacing 6 damaged Welsh slate tiles will cost approximately £185.00.

You might need a roof restoration rather than a new roof or a roof repair. A roof restoration will involve inspecting the roof for signs of wear or damage, carrying out any necessary tile replacements or repairs and then cleaning the roof to improve its appearance

Slate Roofing Tile Costs

As mentioned earlier, the cost of slate roofing tile is probably its biggest con. Slate tile roofing cost per square is about $6,000 to $8,000 installed, though some estimates are a little more conservative, at anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per square. That makes for a huge initial investment if you choose slate roofing tile for your home, at least five times that of more conventional materials. Of course, when you consider that slate will last five times as long when installed correctly, maybe its reputation for high cost isnt so deserved after all!

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The Real Cost Of Installing A Slate Roof

The answer is youll have to do a little math for yourself to figure it out. But here are a few samples to give you an idea to work with.

Lets keep working with the two roofers earning $31 per hour. We determined that the labor cost of installing a 1,200 square foot roof would be $7,440.

Slate roofs can cost as much as $60-$80 per square foot. $80 x 1,200 square feet = $96,000. With the labor costs, thats going to surge up over $100,000!

Again not nearly as cheap as some alternative roofing choices, but if you want the best you can get, then youre going to shell out a little more to cover your slate roof cost. Dont worry, you can count on your neighborhood roofing experts at Authentic Restoration to give you a fair estimate on your new synthetic roof.