Convenience, accuracy – and no obligation. Contact us today and learn how Adanac uses aerial imaging to safely provide your roofing quote.

Call for a free quote 604 888-1616

Why is Slate Used for Roofing?

DaVinci Slate

All buildings have one thing in common – a roof. As we all know, a roof is used to protect our families from all that can be thrown at it. So it’s extra critical to understand the importance of what your roof is made of and why it might be on your roof.

The Different Types of Roofing Materials

There are several types of roofing materials. One of them could be what your roofs are made of. Here are some of them:

  • Slate Shingles
  • Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles
  • Wood Shingles
  • Concrete Roofing Tiles
  • Metal Roofing
  • Synthetic Shingles

That first one, slate, is what we’ll focus on in this blog post.

What is Slate?

Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock derived from a shale-type of sedimentary rock composed of clay and volcanic ash. Slate is made for roofing slate, a type of shingle, as you’ve come to know already.

Slate has been used for hundreds of years around the world and are wonderful for life expectancy. This is because its water absorbency index is extremely strong at less than 0.4%, rendering it waterproof. Depending on what geographic region they come from, they can last for up to 50 years. Of course, a number of other factors can affect how long they last. These include original workmanship and the level of maintenance.

Slate shingles are very heavy and expensive to install and maintain. At the same time they are very natural looking. Due to their durability and strength they can withstand any weathering over time –water, freezing, wind storms or hail storms are a breeze for slate shingles.

What is the Appeal of Slate Shingles?

Homeowners are drawn to slate shingles due to their natural beauty and appearance. They come in various colours, gray, green, purple, black, red, and multicoloured.

For dry areas, or where fires are common slate shingles are completely fire proof as they are made from natural stone (slate), and protect from airborne sparks. This is a huge safety feature for families and individuals.

Due to their natural construction, slate shingles do not end up in landfills and have a long life expectancy, unlike asphalt shingles that add 5% of waste to the landfills which is harming our planet over time.

Slate also greatly increases the resale value of your home. Its durability and aesthetic appeal are valuable in the eyes of prospective homebuyers.

Other Things to Consider about Slate Shingles

When you are having your roof installed, make sure you inquire about the roofer’s experience as poor installation can be even more costly when done incorrectly or lazily. No one wants to have to go through the process of having it done again. We’ll be the first to tell you – a lot of our jobs are from people who had their roofs done poorly by someone else and need a reputable roofer to get it done right.

Another important aspect to consider before installation, is the structure of your building. Is your structure sturdy enough to hold the roof? Slate shingles weigh anywhere from 800-1500 pounds per 100 square feet.

If you have any work that needs to be done by external companies that require the need to be on the roof (cable, power washer etc.), slate poses a safety risk. Why? Because not all are trained to walk on a slate roof, which means you are liable if anything happens. So it’s extra important that you vet any external contractors you use.

Lastly…

So we hope that this answers why slate is so commonly used on roofs, especially here in rainy Metro Vancouver. While I see lots of cedar shake roofs, I see slate roofs quite a bit in the Langley and Surrey areas. It’s commonly used. It’s durable. It’s beautiful. It works.

If you’ve got any questions, please ask and we’ll aim to answer them right away.

5 Signs of Roof Damage

The roof is the most important part of any building as it keeps us warm and dry from Mother Nature. Aesthetically, it completes the look of a house. Often under-looked, your roof can take a toll from the elements or experience gradual weathering over time. This is why it’s important to take action when it’s necessary.

So in this blog post, we’ll tell you how long roofs typically last, what the signs are of roof wear and tear and what the signs are of roof damage.

How Long Do Roofs Last?

The average life expectancy of a roof varies depending on the materials used. There are several different possible roofing materials to choose from. Some roofs are made of asphalt while others are made of wood, specifically cedar. In the instance of the latter, these are called cedar shake roofs.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles

How long asphalt roofing shingles last depends on what kind you’ve got. If you’ve got 3-tab asphalt shingles, then you have an average of 15-18 years. However, if you’ve got architectural asphalt shingles, you can expect an average lifetime of 24-30 years. Here is an excellent comparison of the two types of shingles.

Cedar Shake Roofs

Most roofs in Metro Vancouver are cedar shake roofs. We do a lot of residential re-roofing jobs in Langley and Surrey and we see cedar shake roofs all the time. Since wood can weather quite quickly with moisture, cedar shake roofs require plenty of continuous attention. This means regularly cleaning debris like leaves, dirt and anything else that can leave moisture. Cedar shake roofs usually last around 15-30 years, depending on the quality of cedar used in the roof.

Our roofs go through so much over their lifespan protecting us from the elements. So here’s an important question: Do you know how to tell if there’s any roof damage, or if there is wear and tear of your roof?

What are the signs of regular wear and tear on a roof?

As the roof ages, you will see different signs that roof maintenance and possible re-roofing is needed.

Five signs that your roof is damaged:

Asphalt Shingles

  1. Curling Shingles – If you notice a curl in your shingles around the bottom edge, it’s a sign of the wear and tear they experience. These curls are noticeable in colder weather and are a normal occurrence. Why? Because of poor ventilation or roof decking underneath the shingle.
  2. Missing Shingles – Shingles can fly off due to weather (windstorm, hail, blizzard, lightning, etc.). Don’t wait to get these shingles replaced.
  3. Shingle Decay – Decaying is easy to notice with chipping, peeling, cracking, splitting, and blistering which is caused by moisture buildup inside of a shingle. If the blister bursts, it will shorten the lifespan of your roof.
  4. Flashing Damage – Roof flashing is sheet metal that is installed on any point of your roof to prevent leaks from occurring. You’ll have to identify which of the many types of flashing that you’ll have to repair. Chimney flashing, step flashing and skylight flashing are amongst the many different kinds. All metal flashings should be inspected on a regular basis.

Cedar Shingles

  1. Rotting – When an excessive amount of moisture that has been absorbed by wooden shingles, especially in areas around the world that are significantly humid or rainy like Vancouver, your roof can experience damage.
  2. Splitting – This is from the quality of the shake or the amount of foot traffic. It can cause splitting or cracking.
  3. Moss and Buildup of Debris – This can cause acceleration in the rotting process and can cause leaks because of damming and diverting water flow.
  4. Cedar Shakes Blown Off Your Roof – If you’ve noticed wood on the ground or in your gutter, it could be a result of cedar shakes that have been blown off your roof thanks to storms or wind.
  5. Flashing Damage – Roof flashing is sheet metal that is installed on any point of your roof to prevent leaks from occurring. You’ll have to identify which of the many types of flashing that you’ll have to repair. Chimney flashing, step flashing, and skylight flashing are amongst the many different kinds. All metal flashings should be inspected on a regular basis.

Take Action

If you decide to check your roof yourself, always remember that your safety is a priority. We don’t recommend making your roof a “DIY” project. At the same time, we’ve seen professionals do worse work than what the average homeowner is capable of. Whether you require roof maintenance or you simply need a second opinion on common roofing problems, give us a call at 604-888-1616.

Nevertheless, as the old saying goes, “if you think hiring a professional is expensive, just wait until you hire an amateur.”

We’re professionals and we rack up awards every year for a reason. We service all areas in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. If you’re unsure of anything or if you see anything unusual on your roof, contact us and we’ll come by and take a look.

Do you know what a new roof will cost you?

Whether you’re looking to get your re-roofing project started soon, in a few months, or even in a few years, now is a great time to begin budgeting.

Using advanced aerial imagery software, we can provide you with an accurate no-obligation quote, without visiting your premise, and with no-strings-attached.

Get a quote and plan your future home improvement budget.