Synthetic Slate Roof Cost
The use of slate in roofing dates back to centuries. Modern technology over the years has given rise to various types of roofing materials, including synthetic slate roofs.
A synthetic slate roof is designed to look like a slate roof. Its use is becoming increasingly popular daily. Although, both synthetic and natural slate roofs are identical, it is quite challenging to differentiate between them.
Natural slate rooftops are attractive with a beautiful stone finishing but expensive and relatively heavy, while synthetic slate roofs are light-weighted, weather-resistant, more durable (can last between 75 to 100 years), and can be purchased for a lesser price than natural slate roofs.
In this article, we will discuss what a slate and synthetic slate roof is and also its cost generally.
What are Slate Roofs?
Slate roofs are premium roofs and are majorly made of tiles of natural slate and various materials used in making slate roofs. Slate roofs are beautiful, durable, fireproof, weather-resistant, blends into any roofing design, and does not rot due to rain, algae or mold.
What are Synthetic Slate Roofs?
Synthetic slate rooftops are designed from natural slate. This makes synthetic slate rooftops to physically look like slate roofs. They have chisel-like marks that are hand-crafted. They are made with recycled materials. A well installed and flashed synthetic slate roof will last between 40 to 50 years.
Synthetic slate shingles are purchased with a lifetime warranty. The length of the warranty is dependent on the manufacturer. They make any property beautiful because it is identical to a natural slate roof and this make it difficult for you (if you are not a roofing contractor) to differentiate synthetic slate roofs from natural slate roofs.
Synthetic slate roofing are very durable and wind-resistant. Compared to natural slate roof, they are less heavy which makes installation easier.
The Cost of Synthetic Slate Roofs
Acquiring slate and synthetic slate roofs are investments to be budgeted for. A lot of property owners will find it difficult to afford such premium roofs. That’s a fact.
However, synthetic slate roofs are relatively cheaper than natural slate roofs. Synthetic slate roofs cost are normally estimated to be a fraction of the cost of natural slate shingles. Quoting an exact price for synthetic slate shingles is not feasible. This is due to several factors that affects the cost or price of a new synthetic slate roof.
These factors include:
- The kind of materials and components the synthetic slate roof is made of.
- The complexity and dimension of the roof. The complexity of a roof refers to the number of facets, steepness (pitch), valleys, and hips that the roof has.
Considering the above listed factors which affects the cost of synthetic slate rooftops, these roofs are expected to cost between $10 and $13 for each square foot. There is also a tendency of either cost of these roofs to rise to at least $21 for each square foot.
When compared to a slate roof with an estimated cost of $15 to at least $30 for each square foot, synthetic slate roofs are cheaper.
Conclusion
Although synthetic slate roofs are still considered to be expensive, they are a relatively cheaper when compared with natural slate roofing. They are a common choice among residential property owners because it is quite difficult to point out the difference between both synthetic and natural slate roofs; thereby saving the cost of installation and roof accessories required for replacing a natural slate roof.