How Much Does A Slate Roof Cost?

The average homeowner across the U.S. reportedly spends about $20,000-$24,000 to install slate on a 1,600-square-foot roof. When you factor in the overall system, labor, and old roof removal costs, you want to spend at least $1,500-$4,000 per square meter.

Real slate is the most expensive building material and there are many factors that contribute to this.

The quality (grade), thickness, color and quantity of stone required can greatly affect the final price. Larger jobs will cost less per square than smaller jobs. The slate itself can cost between $450-800 per square meter.

Installation costs also vary widely, depending on the contractor, size and complexity of the job. You can expect to pay upwards of $650 per square meter for a high-quality installation. Find a local tiler for a professional-quality installation.

If your existing roof framing needs additional reinforcement to support the weight of the slate, this can add upwards of $1000-$10,000 to the total job cost.

Remember there are many key components/materials to the roof besides the stone itself! If you’ve already invested in such an expensive material, don’t try to save money on other parts of the system.

Just like you wouldn’t put used tires on your Bentley, don’t use sub-par materials for flashings, liners, etc. Saving money on these parts won’t significantly lower the total price tag, but it will certainly lead to major and costly problems in the not-too-distant future.

slate cost
Slate used for roofing can be divided into hard and soft. Generally, the life span of hard varieties is 75-200 years, and that of soft varieties is 50-125 years. Another distinguishing feature is that hard slate is almost always colored, while soft slate is almost always black.

Additionally, stones can come in a variety of thicknesses. The standard, most common size is approximately 3/16″ – 5/16″. However, many roof designs require thicker pieces, other sizes are 3/8″ – 1/2″, 1/2″ – 3/4″ or even 3/4″ – 1″ or more. Obviously, thicker tiles will cost a lot more than standard sizes.

In fact, because these roofs are so aesthetically pleasing and durable (but unfortunately expensive), metal and asphalt roofing manufacturers have created a variety of products that look similar to slate.

Premium and Standard Colors Slate Roof Colors
The color palette of natural slate is very beautiful. No pigments are ever added to enhance or alter existing colours. You will notice that the total cost of your roof will vary depending on the tile color you choose.

Colors can be broken down into two categories: colorfast (permanent) or weathered.

Permanent shades will stay put over the years; they won’t fade. These colors can cost up to 25% more.

Weathered shades on exposed surfaces may turn brown, rust, or gray. However, you can still tell the original color by looking inside the gravel.

If you want something really special, you can buy real non-fading redstone slabs. This is the most expensive stone on the market, and the price tag reflects limited deposits and challenging production procedures. Unfading Red is native to Washington County, NY and is also one of the hardiest varieties.

The cost of a slate roof vs. the cost of asphalt shingles
There’s no fair way to compare asphalt and slate roofs. While traditional tile is the cheapest and most common material, slate is the most high-end and exclusive product.

Roof tiles are best for homeowners who are price-conscious and not looking for the most durable and durable material.

A basic asphalt roof can cost as little as $5,000. On the downside, this low cost is associated with frequent leaks, poor weather resistance, short lifespan (12-20 years) and often sub-par installation quality. On the plus side, repairs and replacements are quick and cheap, and there are plenty of roofers who can do the job.

Money, by contrast, is not an issue for someone who wants to put slate on their roof. They are willing to pay a premium for the quality and prestige of the material.

Asphalt shingles are not a green choice in terms of environmental considerations. They are made from petroleum by-products, require a lot of energy in the manufacturing process, and often do not save the home energy costs.

At the end of its useful life, asphalt roofs also need to be landfilled, further exacerbating existing pollution problems.

Slate, on the other hand, is very environmentally friendly. It is 100% natural, has a long lifespan and does not need to be replaced frequently, avoiding the waste of precious resources. Furthermore, it can be recycled at the end of its useful life.