Slate has always been used as a roofing material. As natural slates were mainly used in the past, artificial slates are nowadays more popular. A slate roof is durable, storm-resistant, and thanks to the wide range of shapes and colors, all types of roofs can now be covered with slate.
Which slate as a roofing?
There are two types of slates: natural slate and artificial slate. Both are available both square and rectangular and with straight or rounded corners. The possibilities in color and completion depend mainly on the type of slate. Natural slates look like natural stones because they have the same color and relief. The colors vary per species and can be gray, blue, green and anthracite. Art slates are available in various gray, red and brown hues. Here is an overview of the differences:
- Natural slate
Natural shale’s come from quarries in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Every quarry produces its own kind of stone, so the range of colors is so big. Since it is a natural product, color and shape differences occur in natural slate. These small imperfections are inherent in the natural appearance of a slate roof. One thing you can know for sure: a roof made of natural slate is unique and cannot be compared to anything. In addition, a natural slate roof will last a lifetime. Natural slates are a bit more expensive than artificial slate.
Advantages of natural slate
Very long life (80 – 100 years)
Natural charisma
Storm resistant
Weaning or no maintenance (little porous material)
Resistant to temperature differences
Disadvantages natural slate
Expensive in comparison with other roof coverings
Impurities in quality or finition (peculiar to natural products)
Artificial slate
Art slates are made of fiber cement. This is a light and strong product on cement bases and synthetic fibers Artificial slates are widely used thanks to their good price-performance ratio and the wide range of shapes and colors. Unlike natural slates, artificial slates are all the same and a level radiance is possible. Art slates allow all kinds of architectural roof structures as they can be applied in different ways.
Advantages of artificial slate
Good price (cheaper than art slate)
Great offer in colors and shapes
Resistant to large temperature differences
Large choice of cover type (simple horizontal coverage, double coverage, runners association, …)
Disadvantages Art slate roof
Less life than natural slate (25-30 years)
Less authentic charisma than natural slate
Slate roof costs
The average price for the cover with schist’s is about € 65 – € 75 per square meter. The lifespan is around 25-35 years. Natural slates are more expensive. Natural slate ceilings cost about € 110 – € 120 / m2. The price is expensive but a slate roof will last a lifetime (80-100 years).
Would you like to cover your roof with slate? Inquire without obligation offers from specialized roofers.
