Slate Roof Tiles

If you notice that you have missing or broken slate roof tiles or you have a roof leak, you landed in the right place.

This guide is for you.

In this slate roof tile guide ››

You're going to learn everything you need to know about:

• The different types of slate roof tile materials
• The different types of slate roof tile styles
• Color options with slate roof tiles
• How to select a slate tile roofing contractor
• And lots more

Let's get right to it.

What is a Slate Roof?

A slate roof is comprised of overlapping slate roof tiles securely attached to a solid substrate or roof deck on a sloped roof.

Sometimes called a hundred-year roof, when a slate roof is installed properly - it could last 100 years or longer.

Slate tile roofing is a very specialized field of roof installation...

And requires a contractor that is experienced in working with and installing slate roof tiles on various types of projects.

You will find slate tile roofing systems on all kinds of residential, commercial, and historical properties - from resorts to museums and roofing for churches to educational institutions.

What are slate roof tiles made of?

Slate roof tiles are a natural roofing product made of hard rock known as metamorphic rock.

The genesis of this type of rock starts deep in the earth, where heat and pressure transform minerals, clay, volcanic materials and other compounds into very dense rock.

Black and gray slate roof tile colors indicate high carbon content, while minerals such as hematite and iron give some slate colored hues.

Natural slate can be sourced in shades of blue, purple, red, green, brown, tan, and others.

In the United States, slate roof tiles first appeared in the northeastern part of the country, where large slate deposits were found.

Due to the popularity of the aesthetic created by slate roofing, there are also many "faux" slate roof tile options...

Designed to create the look of slate using materials like clay, composite, rubber, asphalt shingles, and more.

It is important, however, to educate yourself on the type of materials used in construction of any synthetic slate roof tile products you may be considering.

While there are some excellent synthetic slate roofing products available, there is no substitute for the real thing.

To get started, let's take a look at some common types of materials used to manufacture slate roof tiles.

Natural Slate Roof Tiles

Natural slate roof tiles are sourced from a variety of slate quarries across the world.

Some slate roof installations use a consistent tile color across the entire roof, while others combine slate from various sources to create beautifully blended roof colors and textures.

Natural slate comes in multiple shapes, thicknesses, and colors depending on the source and how it's processed.

Slate is extracted from open quarries or from tunnels in a slate mine. Significant sources of slate roof tiles can be found all across the world including Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK, and Brazil.

In the United States, natural slate has been commercially quarried since the early 1700s, starting in Pennsylvania. Other major domestic slate production areas include: Vermont, New York, and Virginia.

North America's largest roofing slate producer is the Glendyne Quarry in Quebec, Canada.

Watch this video to learn more about how roofing slate is quarried and processed.

Concrete Slate Roof Tiles

Concrete slate roof tiles are a popular tile option as well.

Concrete slate roofing tiles are a mixture of portland cement, sand, water, and sometimes various dyes (for color).

Due to its fluid nature prior to curing, concrete tiles are factory-molded into a wide variety of shapes and textures to simulate slate tiles.

They offer excellent resistance to wind or roof hail damage.

However, when comparing natural slate roof tiles vs. concrete slate roof tiles, it's important to note that natural slate lasts longer than concrete.

Photo courtesy of Boral Roofing

Metal Slate Roof Tiles

With the durability of metal roofing systems, metal offers another alternative when seeking the look of slate with the convenience of metal.

Metal slate roof tiles offer a nearly unlimited variety of shape and color options.

While most metal roofing options are fabricated from steel, metal slate roof tiles can also be made from aluminum and copper.

Below is an example of brown colored metal slate roof roof tiles installed on an industrial building.

Composite Slate Roof Tiles

Composite slate roofing tiles are made of plastics and other sustainable products.

Some roofing installers prefer them over natural slate or concrete because they are lighter and easier to work with.

Composite slate tile manufacturers are offering some products Class 4 impact resistance, Class A fire rating and 110mph wind ratings.

While natural slate tile has many benefits over other materials, there may be situations where a composite product makes the most sense.

Photo courtesy of Davinci Roofscapes

Asphalt Slate Shingles

If you're looking for roof shingles that have a slate look, you may want to consider one of several designer shingle options.

Slate is one of the looks you can achieve with asphalt shingles.

These shingles come with bold shadows and deep cutouts to create the look of slate at a much lower cost.

That covers the primary materials of construction when it comes to slate roofing options.

Now, let's look at some of the more common shapes of slate tiles in use...

Standard Uniform Slate Roof

According to the National Slate Association, there are several primary styles of slate roof systems, a few of which we will cover below.

The most common is the standard slate roof which uses 1/4" to 3/8" thick slate with tiles of standard lengths and widths and square cut butts.

A standard slate roof is laid in uniformly spaced courses in an offset pattern with alternating vertical joints.

Patterned Slate Roof

Slate tiles with color variations can be used to create repeatable patterns across the roof for a unique roof design.

Patterns may be created in geometric shapes or with different shaped slate tiles used in various locations of the roof.

While the amazing roof design on the Matthias Church in Budapest (shown below) uses ceramic tile for its patterned roof design, you get the idea roof pattern design options.

Hang-down Staggered Slate Roof

Your slate roof can be be designed using slate roof tiles of varying widths and lengths.

As slate courses overlap, you can get very creative with the layout and look of this type of roof.

Textural Slate Roof

Natural slate by nature is non-uniform.

When you use varied shapes, thicknesses, and widths across the roof, it creates a rougher more textured appearance.

Chipped edges, corners, and the like are common with this style of roof.

Blended (Multicolored) Slate Roof

Mixing colors of individual slate tiles is a common practice when designing a slate roof.

Many slate manufacturers offer standard color blends, while custom color combinations can be created as well.

The blend below includes grays with greens and purples and some browns.

Scalloped Slate Roof

Scalloped slate roof tiles can create a very unique look.

As the name implies, scalloped roof tiles include a curved bottom edge.

When installed, they give the roof a fish scale appearance.

Graduated & Tapered Slate Roof

Roof designs that include round towers or domed shaped sections may require special slate tiles.

Each slate tile must be crafted to fit in its spot on the surface of the roof.

Here is an example of an area that uses smaller scallop shaped tiles the further up the roof you go.

Slate Roof Tile Manufactures

RestoreMasters installs only the best natural and synthetic slate roofing systems from the nation's top manufacturers.

If you are looking for a specific slate tile, just ask. Slate roof tiles manufacturers include: Verea, Camara Slate Products, Davinci Roofscapes, Greenstone Slate, North Country Slate, Glendyne, Newmont Slate, New England Slate, Vande Hey Raleigh, Boral Roofing, Eagle Roofing Products, Entegra Roof Tile, Santafé, American Slate, Evergreen Slate Company, GAF, Quarrix Building Products, Brava Roof Tile, Northern Roof Tiles, MCA Clay Roof Tile, IKO Roofing, EDCO Products, Tilcor, Certainteed.

Slate Roofing Warranties

GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER

As a Certified Roofing Contractor for multiple manufacturers, RestoreMasters offers warranties up to 100 years on tile roofing systems.

How to Select a Slate Roofing Contractor

Slate tile roof installation requires an experienced roofing contractor. Slate roofing projects require indepth knowledge of tile handling and installation practices that are only learned through years of experience. And complex slate roof systems require careful craftsmanship using techniques far different from more common roofing practices.

Look for a slate tile roofing contractor with the following qualifications:

• Is licensed, bonded, and insured
• Experience installing your type of slate roof on multiple projects
• Experience managing staged roofing projects that may require parallel tear-off and installation
• Experience working with insurance companies on damage claims

An experienced contractor can help you avoid leaks and major problems and provide a roofing systems that lasts for a lifetime.

RestoreMastes is an award-winning roofing and restoration contractor.

RestoreMasters has been honored with multiple years on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Companies and consistently ranks among the Top 100 Roofing Contractors in the nation.

In addition to slate tile roofing, RestoreMasters offers: all common types of roofing systems, shrink wrap roofing, roof tarping, loose lay membrane roofing, emergency roofing & repair, water removal, water damage restoration, mold remediation, catastrophic damage inspections, property damage documentation, testing & damage reports, fencing & perimeter security, disaster recovery services, permanent roof replacement, interior restoration services. and general contractor services.

We have roofing & restoration locations across the country to serve you better.

View more resources related to slate tile roofing systems. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team.

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