Located across the Potomac River is the Washington, DC suburb of Arlington, Virginia. With famous landmarks located less than an hour from your doorstep, your Arlington County home must always look its best. But when choosing a new roof for your home, shouldn’t you choose something that will make your home match the exteriors of those landmarks and make it stand out among the other homes in your county? If you are considering a slate roof, speak with an experienced slate roof contractor like Absolute Home Solutions. But these roofs might not be for everyone. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of these roofs.
The Pros
One of the biggest advantages to a slate roof is the aesthetic appeal. Slates come in many different color options including green, gray, black, red, and even purple. There are also multicolored stones for the most daring clients. Most slate stones are shaped by hand and can be custom made in different sizes and thicknesses. Few roofing materials can compete with slate when it comes to longevity. Slate roofs can easily last more than 100 years, which doubles or triples the competitions longevity. Because slate is a natural stone, it is more durable to natural elements than man-made occurrences. The high density of the stone makes it waterproof and it is also non-combustible. It is also highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and inclement weather conditions, which makes it ideal for areas with heavy rain, wind, and snow. A slate roof will also not be affected by mold. Slate roofs are also maintenance free. Installing a slate roof on your Arlington house can greatly increase its resale value. It can also make your home more attractive to potential buyers who are looking for a long-lasting and environmentally friendly home. Because slate shingles are recyclable, slate roofs are more environmentally friendly than other options. Other roofs account for 5% of all construction waste that fills landfills.
The Cons
Slate roofs cannot be installed on all homes because of the weight it puts on the home’s structure. Slate roofs can weigh between 800 to 1,500 pounds per square (100 square feet). Often houses require extra support for slate roofs to be added. While slate is extremely durable to natural elements, they can break if pressure is put on the tiles. To keep them from breaking, do not put extra pressure on them or stand on the roof. If a tile should break, it can be difficult to find an exact match to the other tiles because of the way they are made. Slates are made and sold into lots, which means every lot is different. This could prove challenging to find a match. One thing that deters people from installing slate roofs are the cost, which can range from $1,000 to $4,000 per square after installation. But the installation process is the biggest drawback. If a slate roof is not installed correctly, it could leave your roof exposed to the elements and cause major problems. You should only hire contractors who have experience in slate roof installations, like Absolute Home Solutions.
Overall, the positives of slate roofs can outweigh the drawbacks if the roof is installed correctly. Your Arlington, Virginia home will never look better than with a colorful slate roof sitting on top!
Contact your slate roofing contractor
If you are considering a slate roof installation, call Absolute Home Solutions for new information on our Energy Star products and quality installations. We offer services for your roof, siding, replacement windows, seamless gutters, and other remodeling services. For more information on any of these services, contact Absolute Home Solutions at 240-328-9872 for a free consultation. You can also connect with Absolute Home Solutions on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter.