What Is a Slate Roof?
Slate roofs are slate tiles made from cement and processed into a board shape, then coated.
In addition to slate roof tiles, there is another roofing material called natural slate, which is made from thinly cut slate, but due to its high cost and weight, slate roofs are more commonly used.
Uses of Slate Roofs
Slate roof tiles are used as roofing materials. They are used for many residential roofs because it is lightweight and inexpensive. The cement content in the material makes it highly fire and heat resistant, but the coating deteriorates, requiring periodic re-coating.
The service life of slate is said to be about 20 to 30 years. Because it is made of cement, it has little water resistance, and peeling paint carries the risk of leaks.
Until 2003, slate contained asbestos. If asbestos is contained when the roof is replaced, it must be removed by a professional contractor.