One of the easiest ways to distinguish an affluent area is by looking at the roof. Chances are, if it has a slate covering, you’re looking at an expensive property. It’s one of the few roof covering options that will never be able to be purchased on a budget but the industry is adapting from another perspective, with the emergence of manmade slate proving very popular indeed.
As the name suggests, this is just slate in a synthetic form. The word ‘synthetic’ usually results in the alarm bells ringing in the construction industry but in this case, it appears as though the manmade option might actually be a very good and viable alternative. We’re now going to look through several reasons why manmade slate could transform the UK rooflines – and establish slate as one of the common coverings again.
Increased flexibility
We were in two minds about whether or not to include this benefit, as the main reason why a lot of people opt for the slate roof is for that traditional finish. However, there are some cases, perhaps in a conservation area, where homeowners are looking to install a slate covering but have opted against it because of the shade of the slate. The nature of the material means that those roofs constructed several decades ago are going to look completely different to ones built tomorrow, with the stone probably being a different shade.
It’s in these cases where synthetic slate really can triumph. Companies such as RT Roofing provide umpteen different colour options, meaning that you can still benefit from the general feel of slate, but perhaps in a slightly different shade that matches the rest of the houses on your neighbourhood.
Reduced risk of algae growth
Most roof coverings are highly susceptible to mould and algae growth, both of which can prove hugely detrimental over time. Due to the unnatural nature of manmade slate, it means that this doesn’t have to occur with manufacturers usually installing some form of barrier.
Similarly high life expectancy
One of the major benefits of the slate roof is that it can last for centuries as it is comprised purely of natural stone. As you may expect, it’s unlikely that your synthetic replacement will stay around for quite this amount of time, although some manufacturers are starting to insert long warranties in their products. In some cases, this has been as long as 100 years, meaning that the manmade option might still stay strong even if it isn’t made up of natural rock.
The lightweight option
This benefit will mainly be associated with those homeowners who are looking to install a new roof. Most of the time, slate is completely out of the equation as it is much heavier than other materials and the structure of a house simply cannot withstand the additional weight. While some may decide to invest in reinforcing the structure, when this is combined with the cost of the new covering the costs can reach the astronomical.
Manmade slates on the other hand are much lighter and such problems are unlikely to exist. This means that they are the prime option for a roof replacement and may again explain why a lot of UK roofs might turn to this approach.
Did we mention the price?
With natural slate being one of the most expensive roof coverings on the market, it’s amazing to think that the manmade option arrives at a fraction of the cost. This could very much be the main reason why more roofs in the country are turning towards synthetic slate, with this now on par with many other coverings that have proved so popular over the last few years.
