subject: The Advantage Of Using Natural Slate Tiles Rather Than Manufactured Roof Tiles [print this page] Whether you are building a new home, adding an extension or have your house roof replaced, there are a wide range of roof tile products on the market. Some roof tiles are natural stone such as slate, pulled from the ground, whereas others may have been manufactured, often from concrete. The challenge is to identify what type of tiles would best suit your home, in terms of aesthetics, durability and cost. This article looks specifically at the benefits and advantages of using natural slate.
Durability
Natural slate is great to look at, extremely tough and will last for the lifetime of the building, probably beyond as slate tiles are commonly recycled and reused.
Longevity
Natural slate is highly resistant to acids, alkalis and other chemicals, whereas lower cost manufactured tiles often discolour quicker. Staining is caused over time when the surface coating starts to weather.
Environment
Natural slate is not only mined but it is also recycled from old roofs, and can be sourced from various suppliers. Not only can you therefore purchase a recycled product, but the likelihood is that in time your slate tiles may be recycled in the future.
Appearance
With doubt, natural slate creates that perfect sense of character and authenticity, which is particular important if you have a home that is traditional, rural, aged or of unique architecture. Whilst natural slate might look great on an individual home in the countrywise, it would probably look out of place in the middle of a 1950s suburban housing estate where every other house has manufactured tiles. In simple terms, the roof tiles need to match the fabric of your home and the environment it sits within.
In particular, if you live in an area such as Wales or Cumbria with a slate mining history, you will find that the majority of the dwellings will have been built using the unique slate from that region. It is therefore considered good practice to continue using that regions slate so that your home fits perfectly to its surroundings.
Cost
Natural slate roof tiles tend to be more expensive than standard fibre cement roof slate. In addition, natural slate tiles do need to be adapted and worked with whilst on site, which can increase the length of time taken to complete the roof. This will invariably carry an increased labour cost.
Weight
Natural slate tiles can weigh as little as 25 kg/m2 when laid, compared with around 45kg/m2 for a typical interlocking concrete tile, which can weigh up to about 70kg/m2. Using lighter natural slate tiles can therefore sometimes reduce the cost of the roof structure.
