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A slate roof is made of thin, even slices of natural slate stone laid over the roof frame and base layer. Slate is a hard, durable rock formed over millions of years from clay and volcanic ash under extreme pressure deep within the earth. Slate roofs are extremely heavy, even when the shingles are thin, so your roof will likely need reinforcement before your contractor can install the slate. These roofs offer a luxurious, high-end look and can last for decades, but they're costly to install and require regular maintenance.

Slate roofs offer several advantages over other roofing materials. Slate is easy to maintain, reliably lasts for decades, and is extremely durable. It offers a high-end natural look that's energy-efficient and provides a good return on investment. However, a slate roof is considerably more expensive than many other options. It's extremely heavy, may require structural reinforcement, and is complicated to install. Although it is strong, the tiles can crack with impact damage.

Real slate comes from natural stone. Synthetic slate comes from various sources made to look like slate. For either hard or soft natural stone, expect to pay $10 to $30 per square foot, each of which will last 50 to 200 years. If you choose synthetic slate, budget $10 to $15 per square foot. These options will last 20 to 50 years.

Slate roofs last for decades when properly maintained, with natural slate enduring from 50 to 200 years. Hard slate lasts 100 to 200 years, soft slate lasts 50 to 125 years, and synthetic slate lasts 50 to 100 years. The support structure and fixings often require replacement before the slate tiles themselves. Extreme weather, such as tornadoes and hail, reduces the overall lifespan of the roof.

Slate roofs are a valuable investment that boost property appeal and resale value. You receive an ROI of 60% to 70% when installing a slate roof. This roofing material is environmentally responsible because it is natural and lasts up to 200 years, keeping replacement waste to a minimum. In contrast, asphalt roofs expire after 20 to 30 years, which leads to increased waste in landfills.

Walking on your slate roof is not safe and you should avoid it. Don't tread on a slate roof because doing so risks damaging the tiles and risking your safety. Slate roofs are delicate despite their durability, and the weight of a person can crack the slate or cause unexpected slips due to a slick surface when wet. Professional roofing crews utilize specialized equipment to access and work on the roof without putting pressure on individual tiles.