Slate Shingles

Some home owners sad to say have turned their attention away from beautifying their roofs. If one might say that there is no use to do so, having a decent roof may just be what everyone wants. Getting a dream house is exactly what every body loves. It’s a good feeling when your guests are getting impressed with your interior. But how would you like to feel when everything gets ruined because of your leaking roof.

Inasmuch as you want your interior to look great, you might just as well find that having the best looking and durable roof is a necessity. A bare and simple roof is no longer a default option for most homes. You have must have the finest roof your neighborhood has ever had. This does not have to be expensive. All you need to do is to be resourceful and creative. And best of all find the perfect materials for your roof.

Slate shingles have become a popular choice in modern residence. It is one of those roofing materials that have been overlooked but has gained a lot of attention lately and is now making a huge comeback in a competitive world of roofing.

Before, slate shingles were limited to the preference of architectural designers in building mansion, cathedrals and churches, and affluent residential houses. It made its mark on weather shielding and eventually turned into an American residential construction phenomenon in 1902. Sales of slate shingles increased during that year.

Slate roofs were most wanted. Its long standing reputation of durability has been tested by time and experience. Slate roof tiles could last more than half a century. But then again greatness has its share of fall. With the advent of more popular roofing alternatives and the enhanced production of other traditional roof materials like metal roof and concrete tiles, slate roofing materials were overshadowed and were reduced to the status as “the other roof shingle”.

Interestingly, modern modification of slates has once again caught the eyes of builders and home owners alike. Slate shingles were made trendier. And since the only surviving patrons of slate roofs were the famous and the rich, slate roofing became synonymous with sophistication and wealth.

There is nothing really much about slate shingles other than its style. Mud is the primary ingredient of slate shingles. The idea of turning mud into a roof material was ignited after the discovery of crystals, chlorites, and quarts in river mouths. Experts have learned that these hard elements were formed out of the accumulation of very fine mud sediments after a long series of heating and pressure changes in the environment. This same principle was applied to transform mud into rock-hard slate shingles and was done by putting tremendous pressure and heat.

However, experts found that this same chemical process can exaggerate the crystallization process which resulted to an unpleasant effect of fragility and brittleness. This was the main reason why slates in some time became less popular.

Roof construction stores and dealers have also discovered a surprising stat about slates. They have learned that home owners who come to their stores usually compare slate with wood. There are only a few cases where slate shingles became an alternative to metal roof or concrete roof tiles. And so this is a helpful hint to those who may want to consider roof options other than wood shingles.

Slates shingles in due time will become brittle. And these are dangerous when they fall off and hit humans below. Wood shingles are flammable. Installing slates are also quite tedious and scrupulous since it requires utmost care when nailing them. Wood shingles can be a good home for pests and insects. Wood shingles will also condense when weathered.

Store owners conclude though that despite the limitations of slate roofing shingles, people still favor them for style and elegance. The best approach to properly install the slates is by hanging them from the nail; much like how a painting is mounted on the wall. Newer models of slates shingles are also offered with a track attachment system that will eliminate the use of nails in installation.