Roof slate vs roof tiles: which is best for my roof

Unless you’re a builder, architect or professional roofer yourself, we don’t expect you to know the difference between slate and tiles. Truthfully in fact, they are quite similar and they do a similar job. They are laid in a similar way and even look alike. There are, however, a few key differences that set the two products apart, which our team here at Vantage are going to explain to you in this blog. Roof slate vs roof tiles – let’s take a look!

Natural vs manmade

The most crucial difference between slate and tiles is that roofing slate is a natural product, while roofing tiles are artificial. If you’re looking for an authentic look, slate tiles will likely be the more appealing choice. Slate naturally has a lifespan of 80 to 100 years, though this can be extended if the slate is well maintained after installation.

Roof tiles however, are manufactured in factories, by firing clay or concrete in a kiln. In terms of lifespan, roof tiles typically last for 50 years, though clay roof tiles can survive for an excess of 100 years. Most manufacturers offer a 30 year guarantee on a tile roof, before you would have to call our roofers in Darlington to replace your roof.

Artificial slate is available on the market, though there are still questions about the durability of the product are still being asked. Right now, man made slate has a given life expectancy of 50 to 60 years, minimum, similar to that of roof tiles. However, a roof made of man-made slate will likely only last for twenty years, before needing repairing or replacing, typically needing replacing three times over the course of a property’s lifetime.

Price point

Generally speaking, roof tiles tend to be cheaper per square metre than natural slate tiles. In order to make slate tiles more accessible to a UK market, the tiles are now imported from Spain, China and Brazil in colours that closely resemble Welsh Slate, which is now considered a premium product.

According to Check-a-trade, you can expect to pay between £40 and £60 per square metre for a traditional slate roof, whereas a Spanish slate roof would cost between £25 and £30 per square metre. Artificial slate can be purchased for as little as £1 per slate, and is made cheaper still because it doesn’t have to be imported long distances and can be manufactured more locally.

In terms of roof tiles, Check-a-trade suggests that a full roof replacement could cost up to £10,000. Costs amount, depending on whether or not the roof replacement requires scaffold, a cement bed or tiles that are harder to find.

Fundamentally, the differences between roof slate and roof tiles are typically aesthetic and come down to the price point. The choice of material largely comes down to how much you are willing to invest in the roofing project and how much value you want to add to your home. By simply doing some research and consulting a professional roofing contractor, you can make an informed choice between the two products.