5 Reasons to Choose Metal Roofing Over Slate

There's no denying that the roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it makes sense to look at premium materials that should last a long time and strike an impressive appearance. With those goals in mind, homeowners often find themselves struggling to choose between metal and slate.

While there are pros and cons on both sides, most people find themselves better off with metal, and here are just five reasons why.

1. Added Durability

Slate is remarkably strong; it's much tougher than many other roofing materials, and it can last a very long time. Unfortunately, there are still several things that can go wrong with slate. Nails can come loose, individual pieces can break, crack, or chip, and it's hard to walk across a slate roof without causing damage, and if you ever need repairs, the repaired section will be quite noticeable. Metal roofing can be walked over without doing damage, and it's far less likely to sustain damage in the first place.

2. Lower Weight

Slate is one of the heaviest roofing materials available, and all that weight can put a tremendous strain on your home's structural integrity – in fact, many structures need to be reinforced to cope with the weight. People might assume that metal roofs are also incredibly heavy, but they're actually far lighter than slate since they can be made quite thin.

3. No Mould Growth

Another issue with slate roofs is mould growth. Since there are so many crevices around each piece of slate, there are plenty of footholds for mould to grow. Some people like the appearance since it makes a home look more traditional, but mould can also lead to serious damage, and most people find it unattractive. Mould growth isn't a problem with metal roofing, since the surface is seamless.   

4. Lower Cost

Since metal and slate are both considered premium materials, you're going to be spending more on them than you would on a budget option, such as shingle. That said, metal roofing generally costs significantly less than slate. Slate is a very expensive material to quarry and cut to size, and it requires highly trained installers. As such, it's usually considered the most expensive roofing material.

5. Greater Versatility

Slate often comes in just one colour – they don't call it 'slate grey' for nothing. With certain brands of metal roofing, you can choose from a whole range of colours to reflect your own personal style. Whether you're looking to make a statement, match the rest of the neighbourhood, or simply enhance curb appeal, metal roofing is the way to go.

For more information about metal colorbond roofing and other options, contact a local roofing company.