Are you considering slate roofing for your home? It’s not a choice you can make a snap decision on. A slate roof is a serious, long-term investment, and you want to explore all of the pros and cons before you commit.
Slate roofing is great for a lot of reasons, and by finding answers to these common questions, you’ll begin to understand why it’s the roofing material of choice for many homeowners across the country.
How Long Do Slate Roofs Last?
Slate isn’t a manufactured product — it’s a natural stone. It’s strong, dense and durable, and it comes in three quality grades: S1, S2 and S3. While S2 and S3 are softer stones, S1 is mined in North America and will last for centuries.
TruSlate products from GAF are always S1 grade. When you install a TruSlate roof, you can expect it to outlive you.
Do I Need to Hire a Specialist?
Slate roofing cannot and should not be installed by just anyone. Building a long-lasting slate roof is more than just a job — it’s an art form.
You should only allow fully trained professionals to install slate products on your roof. Amateurs may be able to offer a steep discount, but at what cost? Your investment may go to waste if they do not have the training and experience to execute the project correctly.
How Many Color Options Do I Have?
Slate roofing doesn’t only come in one shade of gray. You can select black or green as well, with green, red, grey and plum accent colors. Because slate is not man-made, you’ll see a wide range of color variation from roof to roof. Expect your roof to have its own unique look that will be unlike any other slate roof.
Can My Home Support the Weight of a Slate Roof?
If your home is built to standard building code, it can most likely handle the weight of slate roofing. You cannot install this type of material over shingles though — a complete tear-off is needed before installation. To make sure your home is ready, have a professional slate roofing contractor examine the interior and test the roof’s support capabilities.
How Long Does the Warranty Last?
With TruSlate by GAF, you get a lifetime warranty, with 50 years of nonprorated coverage on manufacturing defects. Since all GAF products must be installed by qualified, certified contractors, you also get a 20-year workmanship warranty.
If coverage is properly transferred within 15 years, the next homeowner can enjoy warranty assurance as well. This makes it a major selling point if you end up having to part with your property within 15 years of the installation.
Do you have more questions? Contact the Roof Doctor today for a free quote and the answers to any other inquiries you have about slate roofing and the installation process.