One of the more common roofing materials you can find in Westchester, especially on older, upscale homes is slate roof covering.
Slate roofing is a premium roofing material that looks beautiful and is one of the most durable materials on the market. Unlike asphalt shingles, builders have used slate roofing on historic buildings, residential homes, and businesses for centuries because its look is timeless, and slate tile retains its value better than most options.
Slate used for roofing is typically 400 to 600 million years old. Most of the quarries in the US are located in the Northeast; Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, but also stretch as far south as Virginia. Slate may last anywhere from 50 to 200 years depending on quality.
Slate is almost impervious to water, extremely durable, and for most people, a slate roof will be their first and last roof.
The different colors in natural slate are present due to the mineral composition of each piece.
Slate usually does not come with a warranty because it is a natural product. The roofing contractor usually provides the warranty, so you need to ensure that your roofer provides a lifetime warranty and has been in business long enough for that to make sense.
A slate roof will rarely require a complete replacement -if properly installed- all it needs is maintenance; broken, cracked or hail damaged slate plates require replacement.
It takes years of experience to gain the knowledge to properly determine a slate roofs condition.
If your slate roof is less than 30-35 years old, consider hiring an inspector to evaluate its condition.
As with any roofing material, slate has its pros and cons:
Slate roofing is- Durable, Natural, Fire Resistant, and Aesthetically pleasing.
But is also- Heavy, Brittle, Slippery, and needs a specialist to maintain.
The Slate Association has lots of resources available to homeowners or anyone interested in Slate roofing.
We are also here to help you with a professional inspection of your slate roof in Harrison, Rye, Rye Brook,
Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle or anywhere in Westchester and surrounding areas.