Synthetic Slate Roofing: Cost, Types, Pros & Cons

Authentic slate roofing is beautiful, but it can also be heavy and expensive. Fortunately, there’s a solution for that. With modern technology, you can find synthetic slate roofing products that look identical to real stone and may even be more durable. And with synthetic, you can get all this for a fraction of the cost.

Compared to the real deal, synthetic slate shingles are lighter in weight, weather-resistant, and more affordable. In this buyer’s guide, we’re going to review the types, pros and cons, as well as the general cost of this roofing material. If you’re considering synthetic slate for your home, please feel free to contact our team at Legacy Service. Whether you live in southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware, we’ll be able to schedule a free consultation when it’s convenient for you.

What is Synthetic Slate Roofing?

Slate roofing has been used on homes, apartments, churches, and government buildings for centuries. It can be heavy and expensive, though. The good news is that synthetic slate roof tiles are now an option. In fact, synthetic has numerous advantages over authentic, from the ease of installation to its ability to be recycled.

While synthetic may look real, it’s actually composed of various rubber and plastic materials, which helps reduce the overall price. Manufacturers of this material offer an extensive variety of styles that can fit nearly any home. And it has an incredible life expectancy, sometimes lasting up to 100 years!

What is Synthetic Slate Roofing Made Of?

Synthetic has a variety of materials that it comes in, including polymers, plastics, clay, asphalt, rubber, fiber cement, and steel. The best synthetic slate roofing material is up to the homeowner and how the new roof will match the style of their house. Each of them has its own characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and costs.

Manufacturers of plastic and polymer composite mold tiles to look authentic. Recycled rubber and plastic can also sometimes be used to form the basis of rubber tiles. You won’t have to worry about recycled materials being cheap, either; they typically consist of high-quality post-industrial materials.

Pros of Synthetic Slate Roofs

Benefits of a synthetic slate roof include:

• Environmentally-friendly – All types of this roofing material can be recycled after a roof’s usable life, which makes it a “green” building material. In some cases, they can even last as long as 100 years.
• Durability – Believe it or not, synthetic can be more durable than authentic. They contain advanced ultraviolet inhibitors to protect your roof and reduce wear from the sun.
• Impact- and fire-resistant – Most synthetic roofs will have modifiers to help withstand storm damage. They also have the highly-resistant fire rating of Class A, which means that effective against exposure to external fires.
• Affordability – Synthetic slate is less heavy than authentic as well as easier to install. This helps make it much more affordable.

Cons of Synthetic Slate Roofs

These types of roofs aren’t perfect, though. They also have their disadvantages. The cons include:

• The appearance depends on the materials and contractor you choose – while many synthetic slate roofs look authentic, others may not. The appearance will depend on the contractor and materials you choose, so make sure you choose wisely. Remember that you may have to pay a little more for quality synthetic slate.

How much does a synthetic slate roof cost?

A variety of factors will affect your synthetic slate roofing cost, but the important thing to know is that it will cost less than an authentic slate roof. Not only are the tiles less expensive, but the installation is easier and more affordable as well. Depending on where you live, synthetic may cost about $9-12 per square foot while authentic can cost anywhere from $22 to $43 per square foot. Compared to other types of roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, metal roofing, real slate, and copper, synthetic tends to fall somewhere in the middle.

Material cost

As we mentioned above, synthetic slate shingles will cost less overall than authentic slate roofing. The prices will vary from company to company, so you’ll be able to go over the costs during your initial consultation with a roofing company. These roofs are designed to last for decades, so you will almost always be getting your money’s worth when installed correctly.

Installation or replacement cost

Since they are less heavy and easier to install than real slate, these types of roofs typically have a lower installation cost than authentic slate roofs. Again, the price will depend on various factors, like the size and shape of your roof as well as the company you choose. Companies’ costs to replace may fluctuate depending on their overhead and operation expenses.

Overall

As you might have guessed from the materials and installation, the overall costs of synthetic slate are less than authentic. If you’re ready to get started with your new roof, let us know here at Legacy Service. We serve homeowners throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and parts of Delaware.

Is It Difficult to Install a Synthetic Slate Roof?

In most cases, homeowners should leave roofing installation and replacement projects up to the roofing experts. However, the good news is that synthetic roofing is easy to install since it’s much lighter than real slate, and most companies will be able to do it for you.

Some materials and brands are easier to install than others. If that’s important to you, remember to ask your roofing contractor about the material’s ease of installation during your initial consultation. At Legacy Service, we’ll be happy to discuss any of your concerns. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation for roofing replacement or installation.

3 Best Synthetic Slate Roofing Products (Manufacturers)

Three of our picks for the best roofing products/manufacturers include:

Davinci Roofscapes

Davinci roofing products have all the benefits and looks of real stone without the shortcomings. They’re manufactured from a state-of-the-art polymer resin and designed to have a natural slate-like texture. Davinci products are high-quality, cost-effective, and have superior durability and longevity.

CertainTeed Symphony

CertainTeed Symphony is a composite roofing shingle that’s specifically engineered to masterfully replicate the look of real slate. Homeowners choose this product because it’s lighter than natural stone, it provides long-lasting protection, and its installation is quick, easy, and cost-effective.

StoneCrest Slate

StoneCrest products rival real stone in terms of durability and longevity. They’re ideal for homeowners whose main concern is weather resistance. Benefits include their exceptional durability, their energy-efficiency, eco-friendliness, and superior protection from the elements.

FAQ about Synthetic Slate Roofs

As a local roofing contractor, we get asked tons of questions every day about synthetic slate roofs. Here are a few of the ones people ask most frequently. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us anytime at 215-798-9790.

Do synthetic slate roofs cost more than authentic slate?

No, synthetic roofs will almost always cost less than their authentic counterparts. This is due to the fact that they’re lighter and easier to install. Most people will not even be able to tell the difference and synthetic slate is designed to last longer. The benefits of choosing synthetic over authentic are virtually endless.

Which lasts longer: synthetic slate or authentic slate?

Synthetic roofs are designed to last longer for several reasons. The materials used for synthetic tiles are combined with ultraviolet inhibitors to reduce damage from the sun. Many roofing suppliers and manufacturers claim they’re more durable in extreme weather conditions as well, sometimes lasting as long as 100 years.

How fire-resistant are synthetic slate roofs?

Many types of this roofing material have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest level. They have no dangerous flammable characteristics, and the tiles will not create embers or burning particles that could spread the fire.

Do synthetic slate roofs do well in storms?

Most synthetic roofs come certified for Class 4 impact resistance by Underwriters Laboratories, which is the highest level that roofing materials can receive. Most are designed to mitigate storm damage and increase the resiliency of your home.

Are synthetic slate roofs environmentally sustainable?

Yes, these types of roofs are often formed from recycled products, which makes them environmentally sustainable. Materials used for synthetic tiles include recycled plastic, cellulose fibers, rubber, and mineral dust. This helps reduce the waste in landfills.

Do slate roofs last forever?

Unfortunately, no roof can last forever, but these types of roofs are designed to last for a very long time. Some manufacturers claim they can last up to 100 years and will provide a 50-year warranty. If you’re interested in synthetic, please feel free to give us a call at any time to schedule a free consultation.

Should I Get Synthetic Slate Roofing?

Whether you get this type of roofing or not is entirely up to you! At Legacy Service, we’ll guide you throughout your decision with a free consultation for roofing installation or replacement.

If you’re interested in this type of roofing, please give us a call at 215-798-9790 or contact us here.