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A slate roof is one of the most popular types of roofs available today. It is an extremely long-lasting option – a well-constructed slate roof can last anywhere from 60 to 200 years, depending on the materials used and the maintenance that is carried out.
Slate is available in a variety of colors, ranging from grey and black to green, purple, brick red, and more. This means that you have a host of options to choose from and are able to customize your roof to the rest of your home.
Slate roofs are available in two varieties: ‘fading’ slate, which changes color in a way that is similar to the weathering of wood, and ‘unfading’ slate, which keeps it color.
Once you’ve decided that a slate roof is the right choice for your home, you will have to choose from the various options of roofing available on the market. These options include:
Standard or Uniform
These roofs are made up of slate that ¼” to 3/8”. The slate is one standard length width and has square cut butts. These roofs are laid in horizontal courses that are uniformly spaced and have alternating vertical joints that are carefully aligned.
Patterned
These slate roofs include slate of various colors. This allows for the creation of a design. It also helps bring in accents of color or banding. Accents and designs can range from floral and geometric patterns to the incorporation of words, dates, and names on the roof.
Random Width
These are similar to a standard slate roof. However, while they use slate of one length and thickness, the slate uses ranges across a variety of widths.
Multicolored
These include the mixture or blending of several colors of slate to create the roof. These are most commonly achieved by using slate of random widths. Multicolored roofs can incorporate as few as two colors. Most commonly, up to four colors are used, though it is possible to use as many colors as available on the market.
Graduated Length
This type of slate roof uses slate of varying lengths and widths. The longest and widest slate is installed at the eaves, with a “graduation” in the rest of the roof, which means that the shortest and narrowest slate is used at the top of the roof.
Graduated Length / Graduated Thickness
In these roofs, slate of varying number of thicknesses – three, four, or more – are incorporated into graduated length roofs. The largest and thickest slate is laid at the eaves, with the slate progressively laid in diminishing lengths and thicknesses. Ultimately, the smallest and thinnest slate is laid at the top.
Textural
Involve the use of slate of varying textures and thicknesses. These pieces of slate are mixed throughout the roof, which creates a textural roof.
Hang-Down
These are also known as staggered butt roofs. This involves the random use of longer pieces of slate, with the heads laid to the same course line, with the additional length projecting past the butt line of other pieces of slate. This results in a hang down appearance.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to slate roof, there are many choices that you will need to make. Not only will you have to decide on the type of slate roof, you will also have to choose a roof color.
If you feel confused with the number of options you have available to you, you will need the help of a roofing professional. Contact DKG Roofing at (940) 497-2833 for help – we’d be glad to answer any questions that you might have and would love to help guide you through your options and make the right option for your home and your needs.
