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Slate has been used for roofing tile for centuries. The first recorded slate roof was created in 1300 A.D. in North Wales, England. For most people at this time, the material was too expensive for the common people so it was only used for military buildings and castles. Things have changed dramatically now.

While the cost is still high, slate can be found on many residential buildings. Slate looks great, and it is one of the longest lasting roofing materials you can buy. The installation can be difficult, so be sure to go with an expert! Let’s explore if slate would be good for you.

1. Great for the Beach

Are you looking for a good roofer in Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, or Ponte Vedra? TaylorMade Roofing has years and years of experience working with beachside communities that have to deal with salt water and moisture coming in off the ocean.

If you go with a slate roof, not only will you have great protection from the elements, the appearance will be beautiful and classic. Slate is also environmentally friendly. Roofing waste accounts for more than 5% of construction waste since the roof for a home must be replaced on a regular basis. A slate roof will not have the issue of being replaced frequently. Many come with a 100 year warranty and they have been known to easily last 150 years.

2. Downside of Slate

Now that we know all the Pros, what are the Cons of slate roofing? While slate is very durable and withstands high winds, it can also break by being stepped on. You should not walk on slate unless you are an experience professional. For a good roofer in the Jacksonville Beach area that knows slate roofing, select TaylorMade Roofing. They are right there, near the beach, and they understand what goes into the roof for a beachside home. You can visit their website at www.taylormaderoofing.com.

Another thing to consider is how hard it is too replace slate once it is broken. If you have someone do the install that doesn’t understand the stability of slate, you can’t just order one tile and move it into place. Slate is a natural material which means it runs by the lot. Finding a replacement tile that matches perfectly would be difficult so it can be better to side with caution and order more than you may need.

The next thing to consider is the heavy weight of slate. Not every home is already going to have the structural support needed to handle all of that weight, so additional reinforcement may have to be added which will add on additional dollar signs. An expert in the area of slate will be able to tell you if your home can handle the material and they will also install it right the first time. So if you have a big slate roofing job coming up in the Jacksonville Beach area, remember to only hire the best, TaylorMade Roofing.