This Old House will tell you that slate roofs reached peak popularity in the early 1900’s but the fact is this oldest of roofing technologies is gaining new levels of interest from today’s homeowners.
What’s behind the surge of interest in slate roofing? Sustainability is a big one. The one unavoidable downside of asphalt roofing shingles is that they’re created using fossil fuels. For the environmentally conscious homeowner, the search for a more sustainable roofing option has only so many avenues to explore.
Slate, being an all natural stone product, requires minimal processing. There are some environmental costs associated with mining, creating, and delivering the product – but once a slate roof is in place, it can literally last forever with proper maintenance. Compared with asphalt shingles, slate is clearly the better option.
Additionally, slate roofs are fireproof, which asphalt shingles really are not. Their organic, natural feel is in alignment with current design preferences for many homeowners. And slate roofing holds its value, making it a smart investment for any homeowner who knows they may someday wish to sell the property.
Can You Install Solar on a Slate Roof?
If you’re reading this article, the odds are pretty good that you’re a solar installation professional. The increasing number of slate roofs presents an opportunity for the solar installation company that knows how to work confidently and efficiently on these jobs.
The Solar Slate Plate is the tool that makes installing solar on slate simple and profitable. By eliminating the need to make thousands of individual precise measurements, the Solar Slate Plate can cut the typical installation time on a slate roof in half. Being able to serve homeowners who have a slate roof gives solar installation companies in competitive markets a definite advantage.