If you have decided to take the plunge and replace your properties old roof with a new one then the first big decision you need to answer is whether to go for slate or tiled roofing!
Many factors can influence the decision on whether to go for a slate or tiled roof. Budget, the aesthetics of the property, its location and the size of the roofing job.
Slate and tiled roofing are the two most popular types of roofing material so let us look at the pros and cons of both to help you to decide which is best for your properties new roof.
The benefits of roof tiles
They are both very similar in terms of what they do and how they are laid on a roof. They can even, depending on what shape/size you for, look similar from a certain distance. However there are some important things that you need to take into account. Roofing Slates are a natural product whereas tiles are manufactured (either from concrete or clay). So if you are looking for the natural/traditional aesthetic to match your period style home then slate is the obvious choice.
Roof tiles are manufactured using clay or concrete fired in a kiln. Because they are man made, they are wider than natural slate and come in a vast range of styles and colours. That means that if you have a specific shade of tile in mind, you can most likely get it with roof tiles.
The manufacturing process for making roof tiles means that they are hard wearing and durable with a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 years depending on whether you go for concrete or clay tiles.
The cost of a new roof is a very big point and there is no getting away from the fact that roof tiles are fundamentally cheaper per square meter than natural slate. If you are on a tight budget then roof tiles are the more cost effective solution
If you have a complicated roofing shape then the man made shapes, styles and decorative features of roof tiles may fit your property more easily.
When it comes to fitting the new roof, roof tiles are a lot quicker to fit onto a new roof. The process of fitting a new roof is far more straightforward and can be laid at a much lower pitch than slate tiles – ideal for single storey extensions.
For maintenance of roof tiles, they can crack and it is essential to regularly fix any cracked or broken ones as well as remove and prevent the build up of moss on the roof to ensure it works properly.
The benefits of slate tiles
Natural slate tiles come in a variety of natural colours and textures depending on where they were quarried. The most popular types of slate on roofs in Scotland is Welsh Slate. However it is a very expensive option with demand outweighing supply and is generally looked at as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of roofing slates. This is why many newer roofing replacements use Spanish or Brazilian Slate which are more cost effective. Spanish slate has a similar look to Welsh slate but are available for a lot less. Because it is a natural material, it is able to handle the harsh Scottish winters a lot better than concrete or clay roof tiles.
Natural slate tiles come in a variety of sizes (though all smaller than roof tiles) but this is more down to aesthetic look than anything else. On that topic, because of many of the homes in Scotland are older Sandstone properties, many home owners prefer the natural look of natural slate in keeping with the period look of the home.
Slate is a long lasting option and if you go for a natural slate roof then it should easily last for 100+ years with only maintenance and storm damage repairs required in the years to come. That is because it is a metamorphic rock. Brazilian Slate Roofing is actually a mudstone sedimentary rock which is around 100 million years younger than Welsh or Spanish slate. While not as easy to lay as roof tiles, slate tiles, when sorted are easy to fit.
So which to go for?
If budget is your primary focus when buying a new roof then roof tiles are the way to go. With regular maintenance they will last a very long time and protect your home from the winter storms that Scotland so often gets battered with. If you are wanting a natural look to go with the look and style of your home and cost is less of an issue then slate roofing is the preferred choice.
If you would like to know more about roof tiled and slate roofing options, please contact us today.
We are a reliable, reputable and professional Glasgow Roofer, Building Repair, Rope Access and Historic Building Restoration Contractor. With over three decades of roofing experience to draw upon in both industrial and domestic projects, our mix of expertise and experience has seen us become one of the top rated difficult access building restoration and roofers in Glasgow.
We utilise the latest in equipment including aerial drones for roof surveys and inspections to ‘at height’ specialist rope access equipment so that we can access and repair all areas of a building, regardless of how difficult they are to access.
After more than thirty five years of roofing and building maintenance across Glasgow, we have become the go to contractor for our customers in both domestic and industrial sectors.
Call us today on 0141 944 6100 or email sales@balmore-ltd.co.uk
