Slate Roofing Indianapolis

There are no better investments for your home than renovations and improvements. Updating your home’s appearance and decor provides not only a more profound sense of security but also an aesthetically pleasing impression for both you and the public to enjoy. Your roof is one of the  key features of a secure, beautiful home. Your roof protects you from a variety of weather extremes, including snow, wind, ice, rain, hail, and excessive heat. These elements all beat away at your home, year after year, and your roof is responsible for protecting you and your family. That is why choosing the best material – as well as a licensed expert Indianapolis roofing contractor – is essential.  High-quality materials, applied with a proper roofing technique, are the keys to a sustainable look and feel for your home. There are many different types of roofing material to choose from, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. One of the most durable roofing materials for homes in Indianapolis and the surrounding area is slate.

What is Slate Roofing?

Slate is a hard rock or stone material that protects against the hardships of weather, insect infestation, fire, moisture, and gradual home wear and tear. It has been used as a roofing material for centuries and has recently regained popularity due to its durability and classic look. Slate is an all-natural substance excavated directly from the earth without any chemicals or harmful additives. This, combined with its longevity, makes natural slate a more environmentally sustainable roofing option than asphalt or other synthetic roofing materials.

Slate possesses metamorphic composites that naturally come together to create the stone material. Common elements include mica, chlorite, and quartz. A finely crafted slate roof shines when the sunlight hits it at a specific angle. However, slate roofing requires expert framing and installation. Not all roofs can maintain this material due to its weight; this is why it is crucial to have a professional certified roofing company in Indianapolis equipped to install a slate roof on your home properly.

How Long Does a Slate Roof Last?

With proper maintenance and installation, slate roofs have a shelf life ranging from 75 to nearly 200 years, depending on the type of slate used. Hard slate will last longer but is more expensive. While not as durable, soft slate is less expensive and can still last up to 125 years when properly installed. Whether it is natural or synthetic, slate roofing can easily last a lifetime, far beyond the lifespan of competitors such as cedar or asphalt shingles, which require replacing at least every ten to twenty-five years or so. 

Regardless of the type of slate chosen, conventional roofing concerns like moisture, fungus, mold, insects, and fires are a thing of the past with a slate roof. If a buyer plans to live in their residence for 30-plus years or more, a slate roof is more practical in terms of longevity and cost-effectiveness. After an exact installation process, our team at Roofing & Exteriors is confident that you will love your new slate roof, and you can rest easy without having to worry about roofing concerns for as long as you live in your home.

What is the Best Roofing Slate?

Slate comes in various composite forms, and the one perfect for your home depends on various factors, including price, appearance, weather resistance, and even environmental influences for eco-friendly homeowners. Popular roofing slates range from models like Davinci, which is high-quality, cost-effective, maintenance-free, and provides increased UV protection, to Ecostar roofing which is crack-resistant, quick and easy to install, and available in an assortment of colors. The best roofing slate will vary widely per customer depending on their needs and the area they reside in. For example, products like Stonecrest slate shingles are more suitable for colder climates than tropical ones. Contact your Indianapolis slate roofer about the best options for your home.

Is a Slate Roof Expensive?

Between the cost of installation and pricing per square foot, slate roofing can seem quite expensive, especially for the homeowners who opt for 100% hard slate. On the low end, slate shingles can range from $350-$400 per square, while natural, hard slate can climb into the thousands on a 2,000 sq ft. range. Although up-front prices may vary and seem excessive, you cannot put a price on quality. Between the durability and longevity of your slate roof, the long-term results will cost you little-to-no fees in further maintenance or repairs. This could save you thousands of dollars over the years. 

When properly installed and maintained, your slate roof is potentially a one-time payment for the duration of your homeownership. For a more budget-friendly option, consider investing in synthetic slate shingles. These will cushion the price and still allow your home to have that slate roof aesthetic and many of the protective components associated with slate roofs.

Is a Slate Roof Right for My Home?

Slate is the heaviest roofing material available, so a professional must inspect your home to ensure that it can support the weight of a slate roof. The roofing specialists at Roofing & Exteriors will thoroughly assess your home to determine its ability to support a slate roof. Supports can be added to help your home bear the weight of a slate roof, but adding them would significantly increase the cost of your roofing project. 

You should also consider the expense of installing a slate roof. Prices vary depending on the size and slope of your roof and the type of slate you use, but a square foot of slate can be at least three times as expensive as a square foot of asphalt. On the other hand, an asphalt roof usually needs to be replaced every 20-25 years, while a slate roof can last 100 years or more when properly installed. 

If you love the look of slate, but your home (or budget) will not support a natural slate roof, then consider synthetic slate shingles. Synthetic slate is durable and resembles the look of a natural slate roof but is lighter and less expensive than natural slate. Contact Roofing & Exteriors for a free estimate regarding the best options for your home.

Is a Slate Roof Worth It?

If you plan to own your home for the long haul (30+ years), investing in a slate roof is the more pragmatic choice regarding practicality and long-term low cost. Beautiful and durable, a slate roof will protect you for decades to come. Slate roofs provide a comforting and protective barrier guaranteed to suit your home needs in terms of absolute security and avoiding costs associated with unexpected or frequent repairs. However, a slate roof is only beneficial if properly installed by an expert slate roofer. Not every roofer can provide quality work, so it is important to choose the right company. Call a representative at Roofing & Exteriors today to get more information about how to start your slate roof installment. 

Whether it’s for a new look or to protect your home from environmental hazards, a slate roof is an ideal choice for providing long-lasting and profitable advantages as opposed to alternative roofing products. Slate is the new age brownstone, and finding an expert roofing company in Indianapolis is the first step to take towards your professional home renovation. Getting in touch with a professional roofer in Indianapolis will avoid tedious roof repairs that start small and turn into costly future projects. Roofing & Exteriors can handle all your roofing needs, from cedar and shingles to our most high-end slate material. Get in touch with a representative today to find out which roofing material best suits your home needs.

Here at Universal Roofing & Exteriors, we pride ourselves in supplying outstanding service with over 30 years of positive customer testimonials and service satisfaction. We do commercial and residential roofing, which includes replacements, repairs, modified roofing, and more. Rest assured, we have you covered as your number one Indianapolis slate roofing company. For more information, call us today or fill out our easy-to-use contact form, and we will swiftly get in touch with you.