A modern, long-lasting roof protects your property from the elements. Metal and slate roofing are both excellent options for your roof replacement because of their durability and long life spans. These contemporary materials each have a unique appearance that can enhance your whole home’s curb appeal.
As you look for the right roofing material for your home, you might be wondering whether metal or slate roofs are better. Your roof material choice depends on various factors, such as your aesthetic preferences and the weather conditions of your local area. Explore the comparison of metal vs. slate roofs to discover which one is better for your property.
Reasons to Choose Slate Roofing
Slate is a fine-grained, dense metamorphic rock that manufacturers cut into slabs to use as roofing. These slabs come in many finishes, sizes and thicknesses to accommodate your home. Explore some of the benefits of slate roofing to find out how it can add value to your home.
Strong and Durable
Since slate is a metamorphic rock that formed under the earth’s surface a long time ago, this roofing material tends to last longer than any other roofing material. In the right conditions, it can last on your property for more than a century. As a result, you can keep a slate roof on your home for the rest of your life.
When installed and sealed correctly, a slate roof’s high density and low moisture absorption make this material nearly waterproof. It’s also resistant to ice formation during freezing temperatures. Slate roofing is a non-combustible material, so it can withstand high temperatures without damage, changing appearance or catching fire. You can also have a uniform color throughout the top of your house by investing in a slate roof. Instead of fading or discoloring from exposure to sunlight like other roofing materials, slate roofs maintain their luxurious look for decades.
Slate’s durability makes it convenient to take care of throughout its life span. When a professional roofer installs it correctly, you’ll only need to check for loose or broken tiles or slabs over time. It also helps to clean your gutters and replace them as needed.
Environmentally Friendly
Slate roofs are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances that could harm the environment. Compared to other roofing materials, manufacturing slate leaves little environmental impact. Since it doesn’t degrade, it also won’t send anything harmful into the atmosphere over time.
Slate roofs contain all-natural materials that you can recycle if you ever need to replace your roof. Since slate roofing has such a long life span, you probably won’t need to change it any time soon. However, you may want to reuse it if the rest of your home suffers storm damage or you want to remodel your property in the future. When you reuse your old roofing material, you reduce the amount of waste produced by manufacturing a new roof.
Attractive to Homeowners and Potential Home Buyers
Slate roofing comes in various colors, thicknesses and sizes to complement your property’s overall design. A unique slate roof will enhance your home’s curb appeal and provide an excellent return on investment. Even though slate roofing has a significant upfront cost, its warranty can last up to a century, so you can save money on future replacements if you need them.
A slate roof’s density helps to maintain your home’s interior temperature all year long. This energy-efficient roofing material allows you to save money on your energy bills, prolong your HVAC system’s life span and make your indoor living space more comfortable for your family.
Besides enhancing your lifestyle, slate roofing also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers if you plan on selling it soon. Your property will stand out among the other listings in your area because of its unique appearance. Potential buyers will also appreciate the low-maintenance, long-lasting roofing material you’ve chosen for your property because they know they’ll save money in the future.
Why Choose Metal Roofing?
Metal roofing is a long-lasting material made from aluminum, steel, copper, zinc or titanium. It comes in standing seam form or as corrugated panels. Consider some of the reasons why a metal roof will add value to your property.
Strong and Durable
Metal roofing is resistant to most weather conditions and impact. You can walk on top of a metal roof with peace of mind that it won’t chip, break or crack. Since this material doesn’t absorb water, it’s resistant to roofing damage such as mildew, mold and rust. It’s also more likely to shed snow than other materials, which reduces your chance of having ice dams on top of your roof.
Metal roofs can withstand heavy winds because of their interlocking panels, but you can also get them treated with wind code reinforcement to enhance their wind resistance. This material also has a Class A fire rating when a roofing professional installs it with a fire-rated underlayment. As a result, a metal roof can help protect your home from forest or brush fires in your local area.
Versatile Design
Metal roofing comes in a wide selection of unique colors to enhance your home’s overall aesthetic and complement your surrounding environment. Consider your home’s architectural style and your design preferences to choose the right look for your metal roofing. Even though metal is most common on modern homes, you can find metal roofing that looks like other traditional materials, such as slate, tile or cedar. This flexible material can also take various shapes and forms to fit within your roof’s configuration.
Cost Effective
Metal roofing costs less money per square foot than slate roofing. Since it’s lightweight and easy to install, you’ll also most likely pay less money in labor costs when you have it installed professionally. Since metal roofs come in various materials, you can find a type of metal that fits your budget.
Besides saving money on the initial costs, you’ll also save money on your metal roof over time. This roofing material has an excellent warranty that covers the material and installation. Due to its durability and resistance to most weather conditions, a metal roof may lower your homeowners insurance premium because you won’t need to make as many claims to repair or replace it.
A metal roof is relatively easy to maintain because of its resistance to most wear and tear. You can save money on this sturdy material since you won’t need to spend money treating or sealing it over time. In addition to cleaning off grime and removing debris from your gutters, you might also have to paint your roof if you notice chalking or chipping. With the proper maintenance, metal roofing can last nearly half a century. As a result, you can save money on future replacements down the road.
Environmentally Friendly
Since metal roofing contains recycled materials, it doesn’t produce as much waste during the manufacturing process. You can also recycle your roof if you should ever need to replace it. Roofing professionals can sometimes install a metal roof on top of the existing roofing, eliminating disposal waste.
Besides having a minimal environmental impact during manufacturing and installation, metal roofs also conserve the energy you use in your home. Since a metal roof reflects heat instead of absorbing it like other materials, it’ll keep your home cooler in the summer. It also has insulative qualities that keep your home warm in the winter. As a result, you can save money on your energy bills and keep your whole family comfortable all year long.
Factors to Consider When Deciding on a Metal Roof vs. Slate
As you decide between a slate roof vs. a metal roof, think about the following characteristics.
Weight
Since slate is significantly heavier than metal, you’ll have to ensure that your house can handle the additional weight. Sometimes, a heavier roofing material puts extra pressure on the home’s structural framing, causing compression cracks in the drywall. A professional in the roofing industry can inspect your property and help you figure out whether the existing structure can accommodate a slate roof and what upgrades you’d need to make. On the other hand, metal roofing is lightweight, so it puts less wear on your home.
Architectural Style
Your home’s architectural style can help you determine whether a slate or metal roof is right for you. The roof should complement your property’s overall design. Metal roofing tends to be popular with the modern style, such as the updated cottage, cottage, bungalow, contemporary or ranch house. Slate usually accommodates the historical or traditional aesthetic, featured in a chateau, colonial and French-style home. Since the homes on your block might be similar to yours, consider how they look for ideas for your house’s design.
Budget
Think about the money that you’re willing to spend on your roofing replacement. Metal roofing is inexpensive and very easy to install, so you’ll save money on the initial cost of installation. However, it’s also helpful to consider the long-term savings that each material offers. Since slate roofing lasts nearly twice as long as metal roofing, you’ll be able to save money over time in future replacements.
Both materials are energy efficient and low maintenance, helping you reduce your utility expenses. Consult your roofing professional to review your financing options for your roofing replacement to give you a better idea of which material will accommodate your short-term and long-term budget.
Future Plans
Even though you might favor a particular roofing material, you’ll have to consider what potential buyers want if you plan on selling your house in the next few years. A slate roof may be aesthetically pleasing and attractive to potential buyers. However, you might not want to make such a significant investment unless you’re going to enjoy it for yourself. A metal roof may be less expensive, but it might not have the unique visual appeal that makes slate so attractive.
You’ll also need to think about whether you’re putting a roof on an existing structure, an addition to your property or a brand-new house. Installing a roof on a new home gives you more flexible options because you can accommodate the framing to its weight and shape. Metal roofs can take various colors and forms to fit your unique house, whether you’re building on an existing structure or new construction.
Aesthetic Preferences
Instead of considering what potential buyers want, you can choose the roofing material you like if you’re going to be living in your house for a long time. Both slate and metal offer unique aesthetic qualities that can enhance your home’s overall design. Consider whether you like the modern, sleek appearance of metal or the timeless, authentic beauty of slate. It also helps to think about what color and texture options each material offers to find out which one gives you more flexibility in your design.
Local Weather Conditions
The elements around your home can affect your roof’s life span. Since metal is vulnerable to corrosion, it might not be suitable for coastal areas with salty air. Think about the trees around your roof and the humidity of your area that could wear down your property. Both slate and metal are durable and can withstand most weather conditions. A professional in the roofing industry can help you figure out which roofing material would work better with your home’s surrounding environment.
The Roof’s Pitch and Underlayment
Your roofing material should be able to accommodate your roof’s pitch and draw water away from the top of your home. A slate roof is better for a steep slope where water can drain off of it instead of accumulating on top. Even though a metal roof can also work on a high-pitched home, it’s also excellent for low-pitched or flat roofs because of its ability to withstand water accumulation and reflect sunlight away from the house.
Metal and slate roofing are both generally resistant to water damage, but you’ll also need to consider the roof’s underlayment and framing materials. Moisture can leak inside your roof and wear down the components underneath it. Consult your roofing professional about water-resistant underlayment options if you live in a humid or rainy area.
Maintenance Requirements
A new roof is a long-term commitment, especially if you want to avoid replacing it soon. Metal and slate roofs are both low maintenance because of their durability and resistance to most weather conditions. However, slate roofing requires more care since its shingles can become loose or break. Besides the material itself, you’ll also need to consider the installation. Improper installation leaves your roof vulnerable to gaps and leaks. A professional roofing team can apply the roofing material correctly so that it can last a long time.
Contact Scro’s Roofing Company for Your New Roof
Our team at Scro’s Roofing can help you figure out whether a slate or metal roof is better for your house. We have the experience and expertise to replace your roof in Raleigh and the Triangle with metal or slate materials. Even after the installation process, we offer maintenance and repair services to help your roof last as long as possible and continue to enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal. Contact us online or call 919-551-5104 for a free roof inspection.
