Slate is very a energy-efficient material. Because it is very dense, it can help keep your home cooler in the summer, by preventing hot air from entering your attic and your home. And, in the winter, the heavy, dense slate material helps prevent warm air from escaping, and being released into the atmosphere. In both cases, slate helps you save on your heating and cooling bills.
Completely fire resistant
As a natural stone product, slate is completely fire resistant, unlike asphalt shingles and other such products. A slate tile roof will resist high heat and temperatures, and fire – making slate roofs ideal if wildfires and bushfires are a major concern near your home or building.
Environmentally-friendly
Slate is a naturally-occurring material, and requires very little processing, unlike other products like asphalt shingle roofing and metal roofing. This makes it more environmentally-friendly.
With proper care, it’s not unheard of for a slate roof to last at least 100 years, and some roofs can last 150 years with proper installation. In contrast, most asphalt shingle roofs must be replaced every 15-30 years. Wood shingles may only last 20-30 years, and even most metal roofs will not last past 50 years.
Durable and low maintenance
Beyond checking for broken or loose tiles, and occasionally washing the roof, a slate roof requires no other maintenance, and is very durable.
Very little roofing waste
Even when a slate roof must be replaced, the slates themselves can often be re-used for another roofing project, or for other purposes, like flooring, and building garden pathways, or even driveway.
The inherent beauty and qualities of slate have resulted in its specification and use by architects, developers and interior designers, and not least, the range of beautiful slate tableware.
From its source in North Wales, Welsh slate has been used and crafted by many generations of people from all walks of life since early Roman times.
