Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 03, 1999 07:45am | #1

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   You are very fortunate to have a slate roof. First, I would question why you would want to replace it. Slate being rock, does not wear out. The nails rust and rot, but actual stone does not wear out. So the first thing I would do, is find an older roofer who has worked on slate, and get a bid for replacing the deck, and re-nailing the stuff.

   If you really want to replace that old wonderfull slate, then look at some cast (lightweight concrete) roofing products. They are very pricey, and you will spend about $75 per square, only slightly less than new slate. You should be able to get "new" (actually much of it is used) slate at about $80-125 per square.

   I hope I have caused you to re-think the replacement of that wonderfull stuff.

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   Guest_ | Feb 03, 1999 11:10am | #2

   *I too personally believe that slate is the best roof system overall for durability. I have seen recently a new product whioch appears to be some type of hard ruber/plastic material that looks like a heavy slate. it seems pretty much indestructable but costs about $2+ per sf.Pete Draganic

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   Guest_ | Feb 03, 1999 12:01pm | #3

   *Lew: Concrete tiles are available in a variety of styles, take a little more abuse and might last as long. If you are going to replace it, make sure the roofer knows from the start that the existing slates belong to you and are to be salvaged with some reasonable survival rate (>80-85%). Otherwise s/he may start scheming on reselling your slate shingles (>$1.00 each) while charging you to remove them. If you then call them on it, it will seem like you're taking away something that they had (undeservedly) counted on and very few will survive the trip from the roof to the ground. I've removed them with and without salvaging them and it doesn't take much longer to be a little bit careful. Place a few calls to get an idea of what they are worth. Anyone know the current value of used slates? But I agree with the others - for looks, class, and longevity you can't beat slate - as long as the neighbor kids don't play baseball. I've visited most of the homes that my great, great-grandparents were born in Ireland, Wales and Norway. They've all got slate roofs with the original slates - with a few "new" (last 50 years) replacement shingles. 200-300 year roofs and they are still going, with the wood slats being replaced every 50 years or so. -David

2. 
   adam_ | Feb 03, 1999 11:15pm | #4

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   Slate dilema: I too have slate. repairs are never ending and costly. my roof is steep, 3storeys up and the rear of the house is over a 20ft cliff (read: few contractors in my area have slate experience and fewer still will go up on my roof. It hurts. I love slate but I need to finish and insulate my attic. slate is just not cutting it.

1. 
   Stephen_Hazlett | Feb 04, 1999 02:59am | #5

   *I am a roofing contractor with more than a little experience tearing off roofs of all types. Contrary to 'scooters' post in the real world roofing slates do wear out.I have been on several slate roofs that had slates so thin and brittle as to be almost tissue paper like in texture.Many times I find slates so worn that I can poke my bare finger right through the worn out slates. Please keep in mind that slate is sold,orwas sold, indifferent grades just like every thing else is today.Many slate roofs areworn out after 70 to 100 years. That was the intended life span for the type and thickness of the slate installed. It is wishfull thinking at best or most likely ignorance at worst to think that slate lasts forever and never wears out.Many people like to point to Cathedral roofs in Europe,built in the Middle Ages,which still have their "original" slate roofs after 500or600 years as evidence of slate lasting forever.These buildings in many cases originaly had sheet lead roofs,were re-roofed again with lead or with sheet copper and finally with slate.The "original "slate roof may in fact be the 3rd or 4th roof on the building and may be the 2nd time slate has been installed.These slates are also much,much thicker than anything you or I are likely to find.As far as saving slate for re-sale and the "evil" contractor cheating you out of "your" slate dream on.It is not worth his time to carefully loosen individual slates without breaking them, carry them DOWN a ladder,stack,restack,load on truck and ship.We don't have time to waste with that foolishness.IF I could find A buyer I could sell used slate for $1 each or less.It is not worth the cost of labor and shipping.I have sometimes BOUGHT a few used slates for repair work at $5 each.Slate repairs cost $25 to$40 per slate around here with about a $250 minimum charge.It is a lovely material but it is not in much demand.(those who lament it's passing have probably not carried much of it UP a ladder,let alone that foolishness about carrying it DOWN a ladder.)

3. 
   lew_hill | Feb 04, 1999 02:59am | #6

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   I have an early 1800 home with a slate roof that is in need of replacement. access to the main house chimney is over theroof to clean the chimney of creosote. What substitutes are there for slate.