Slipped, cracked or missing slates
Individual slates can usually be replaced without redoing the roof. The sooner it is done, the less water gets in.
Slate roofing in Northern Virginia: authentic and synthetic slate
Few roofs look as good or last as long as slate. We work with both authentic natural slate and synthetic slate, so you can choose the look, weight and budget that fit your home. We start with a free inspection and tell you honestly which one makes sense.
Overview
Northern Virginia slate roofing from Northern Virginia roofing experts
Natural slate is split from quarried stone, and it is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials there is. Well-installed slate roofs are commonly described as lasting 75 to 100 years or more, and many historic buildings still carry their original slate. Virginia has a long slate tradition, including the quarries of central Virginia, so slate is part of the look of many older homes, churches and estates in the region.
Synthetic slate is a manufactured alternative made from polymer, rubber or composite materials and molded to look like natural slate. It is lighter and usually costs less to buy and install. Most manufacturers describe lifespans of several decades rather than a century, and many products carry strong impact and fire ratings. Which one is right depends on your house, your budget and how long you plan to stay.
Slate is also a specialty skill. The stone is brittle, the fasteners and flashing matter as much as the slate itself, and walking on a slate roof the wrong way breaks it. We take that seriously, whether the job is a small porch roof, a dormer, a repair to a roof that is mostly sound, or a full replacement.
Warning signs
Signs a slate roof needs attention
Rusted or failing nails
On many older roofs the nails fail long before the slate does. Slates that slide down a few inches are a common sign.
Flaking or crumbling slate
Some slate softens with age. When slate flakes in layers or turns to powder, patching may stop making sense.
Leaks at flashing
Chimneys, valleys, dormers and walls are where slate roofs usually leak. Flashing can often be repaired or replaced on its own.
Damage after a storm or a fall
Hail, branches and foot traffic can crack slates that look fine from the ground. A close inspection is worth doing.
Options
Slate options
We can talk you through both and give you an honest recommendation.
From Stonewall projects
Top photo: natural slate roof by Øyvind Holmstad, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. It is an example of the material, not a Stonewall project. The other photos are Stonewall projects with slate-style shingles, shown for the color and look; they are not natural slate.
See all slate roofing photosHow it works
What to expect, start to finish
Free inspection
We look at the roof and the areas around it, and talk through what we find before anything is priced.
Material and structure check
We look at the decking and framing, because natural slate is heavy and the roof has to be able to carry it.
Estimate
You get a free estimate that lays out authentic slate, synthetic slate, or repair, whichever applies.
Installation or repair
Slate goes on with corrosion-resistant fasteners and properly detailed flashing, and the finished roof gets a final walk-through.
Honest considerations
Things worth weighing
- Natural slate is heavy, commonly several times the weight of asphalt shingles, so the roof structure has to be right for it. We check before anything is priced.
- Slate costs more up front than asphalt shingles. Its long service life is why many homeowners choose it, but it is not the right choice for every budget.
- Matching an existing slate roof for a repair takes care, since color and thickness vary. Salvaged or similar slate can often be used.
- If your home is in a historic district, local review rules may apply to roof materials. Check with your locality, and we can help you describe the work.
- Please do not walk on a slate roof. It is easy to crack slates, and it is safer to let a roofer inspect it.
Questions
Slate roofing: common questions
Do you install real slate and synthetic slate?
Yes. We work with authentic natural slate and with synthetic slate, and we will help you choose between them.
How long does a slate roof last?
Well-installed natural slate is commonly described as lasting 75 to 100 years or more, and the nails and flashing often wear out before the slate. Synthetic slate lifespans vary by product, and manufacturers typically quote decades.
Can a slate roof be repaired instead of replaced?
Often, yes. Slipped, cracked or missing slates and failing flashing can usually be repaired. If the slate itself is flaking or the roof is failing across the board, we will tell you that honestly.
Can my house carry a slate roof?
Natural slate is heavy, so we check the structure first. If it cannot carry real slate, synthetic slate is the lighter alternative.
Is slate worth the cost?
For many homeowners who plan to stay, a roof that can last generations is worth a higher price. If you will move in a few years, a different material may make more sense. We will give you an honest opinion.
Get a free slate roofing estimate
Inspections and estimates are free. Tell us what you are seeing, or call and talk to someone now.