When installing a roof, the wide variety of materials to choose from can be overwhelming. Knowing which kind of tiles are best to invest in for a beautiful and durable roof is essential. Slate roofing tiles are one of the most high-quality and long-lasting roofing tiles around, yet durability is just one of the many benefits a slate roof may bring to your project. Here’s a look at some of the reasons slate makes a great choice for roofing tiles:
Durable
When properly maintained, slate roofs can last for decades, even centuries. Naturally strong, and absorbing little water, slate roofs are less susceptible to leaking and frost damage than other, less durable materials.
Here at UK Slate, we supply only those slates which attain the A1, T1 and S1 BSEN standards for water absorption, carbon content, and thermal cycling. Our Estillo 29 slate, for example, tested just 0.29% for water absorption. This means that when you buy from UK Slate, you can be confident that your roof will stand strong whatever the weather.
From time to time, prolonged extreme weather and general old age can leave a building looking tired and neglected. But once the slate tiles have been carefully removed and tidied up, they can often be re-laid to provide a home with decades more protection from the elements.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Here at UK Slate, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between beauty and durability. As well as being hard-wearing, slate tiles have a beautiful, classic, rustic look, undiminished by time or the elements.
When using slate, you have plenty of options to customise your roof in both size and colour. Not all slates are grey, they actually come in a range of colours, from the gentle green of our Elterdale, to the deep purples of Welsh Heather Blue. There is plenty to choose from when roofing with slate. Whether you wish to blend in with the colour tradition of your local area or make a statement with a more striking hue, slate tiles are the ideal material to achieve the desired aesthetic and provide an elegant finish to your project.
With a long-established pedigree as a roofing material, slate tiles remain the go-to for more traditional builds such as vintage homes, and historical restorations. Yet much of the beauty of working with slate comes in its versatility, as slate tiles can achieve stunning results atop more modern, innovative projects. The limit truly is your imagination.
But the colour of the slate is not the only factor to consider when choosing your slate. For centuries, slates have been cut into a variety of shapes for more decorative and prestigious markets.
Fire Resistant
Slate is very resistant to fire, able to withstand higher temperatures than many metals can. It’s great for enduring severe temperature changes, which is why it makes an ideal choice for the likes of roofs and floors. It’s why it also makes a great choice for the kitchen, due to its resistance to heat and burning. Slate slabs that are designed to be used as counter tops in kitchens are chosen for their ability to withstand the level of heat it may come across in typical kitchen conditions.
Slate forms naturally when layers of rock are exposed to extreme pressure and heat, so it’s no surprise that it’s so resistant to fire. This natural property makes slate a great choice for roofing material as it reduces the chances of a building’s roof catching alight in the event of a fire.
Environmentally Friendly
Waste from roofing is a substantial part of the total waste sent to landfills each year. Asphalt shingle roofing, for example, needs replacing every couple of decades. Waste is reduced substantially by choosing slate, due to its greater life-span. Choosing slate is a sustainable solution to ever-more prevalent environmental concerns, allowing you to rest-assured that your roof, while meeting your needs, does not do so at the expense of the environment.
Here at UK Slate, supplying quality natural slate roofing and excellent customer service to every client is our priority. If you require high-quality tiles for your roof, and want to know how we can help you, you can contact us on 015395 59289 to speak with our highly-skilled team and they will happily answer any query you may have.