My slate roof needs to be replaced and I’m considering synthetic slates. What are the pros and cons between natural slate versus synthetic slate?
February 29, 2024I have an old metal roof that has been painted or coated in the past. Does it need maintenance?
March 28, 2024As a man-made product, the warranty of any synthetic slate should be explored. There are many varieties of synthetic slates on the market that curl, cup, crack, or warp, within 20 years or less. At Olde World Slate we use Inspire synthetic slates, which have a proven performance record and come with a manufacturer’s 50-year limited lifetime warranty.
Aesthetics and colors are also a factor, as many homeowners choose synthetic slates largely because of their appearance. Good quality synthetic slates installed on a high roof with a natural-looking blend of colors will be nearly indistinguishable from natural slates. However, even the highest quality synthetic slates tend to look plastic-y up close, such as when installed on a lower porch roof, or a roof that is viewable from a nearby window. In addition, synthetic slates installed in a single shade of color tend to look unnatural, since quarried slates have a natural blend of shades of colors.