Asphalt Roofs vs. Slate Tile Roofs

A roof can be comprised of numerous types of materials.  There are slate roofs, asphalt roofs, metal roofs, tar roofs, and roofs made from wood shingles and shakes, clay and concrete, or even rubber roofs.  Each material has their own advantages and disadvantages, and with a roof being a hefty financial investment, it’s crucial to educate yourself on the varies roofing materials as your personal budget, your surrounding climate and geographical location, and your style preferences will ultimately determine which type of roof is best for your home.

Asphalt is perhaps the most popular roofing material but back in the day, houses were typically built with slate roofs because of slate’s extreme durability.  Both are excellent options for a new roof. However, these two materials are quite different from one another.

All About Asphalt

Driving through any neighborhood in the country you’re bound to see plenty of homes with asphalt shingle roofs.  It’s one of the top choices for roofing systems thanks to its cost-effectiveness and durability.

Types of Asphalt Roofs

Asphalt shingles are available in three different types: organic-mat based, fiberglass, and architectural shingles.  Organic-mat based shingles are the most affordable of the bunch, consisting of paper coated with asphalt to provide a waterproof barrier for your roofing system.

Fiberglass is more expensive because the shingles are treated with a resin that creates a waterproof and fire resistant surface.  Architectural shingles are the highest end of these asphalt shingles as they’re treated with a sealant that makes the shingles look more aesthetically pleasing as they don’t have cutouts and are instead installed as one layer.

No matter what type of asphalt shingle you choose, you’ll be able to take advantage of the array of colors and patterns that are available.  Because asphalt shingles are so popular, manufacturers have a whole spectrum of colors to choose from like grays, blues, greens, reds, and browns.

Cost

It’s difficult to truly gauge the costs of materials these days due to our post-pandemic economy, but you can figure about $5,500-$17,000 as the average cost of a slate roof.  Labor and material shortages, inflation, and the increased supply lead times can affect the average costs of projects on a day-to-day basis.  Other factors that play into how much an asphalt roof will cost include:

-Square footage of the roof

-The pitch and slope of the roof

-The cost of labor in your area

Longevity

The one downside of an asphalt roof is that while it does last about 15-20 years, its lifespan isn’t as long as other roofing materials.  Metal roofs can last up to 50 years and slate roofs can last twice that—up to about 100 years!  Regular maintenance on your asphalt roof can help it last as long as it’s meant to, plus newly redesigned asphalt shingles have made the material more durable in recent years.

All About Slate Roofs

There’s a good reason why slate roofs have retained their favoritism in the roofing industry and it’s all due to their incredible durability.  Few roofing materials last as long as slate.  Where asphalt shingles come in a variety of options like fiberglass, traditional asphalt, and architectural shingles, slate is already a natural stone, although there are many shades of slate you can choose from.

Cost

Cost is arguably the biggest factor of deciding on a slate roof.  Slate is expensive because it’s heavy and more labor is involved in installing the roof.  Part of the higher costs include the manufacturers needing to source, transport, and process slate as well as the special materials needed to install it like customized underlayment, drip edging, and specific tools.

Longevity

With a higher cost comes the great advantage of a slate roof lasting you for a century or even longer.  A properly installed and well maintained slate roof could last about 150 years!  Slate is natural stone, so its inherently designed to withstand the most abusive elements of Mother Nature.  It’s impermeable to water, naturally discourages algae growth, and is storm resistant and fireproof.

Slate Versus Asphalt

In the end, you can’t really go wrong with either a slate roof or an asphalt roof.  Slate roofs are more environmentally friendly, last the longest, and are low maintenance, but you’ll pay the price for one.  Asphalt roofs are affordable and will give you 15-20 years of protection, are available in numerous styles and colors, but tend to need repairs and inspections more frequently.  Whatever you decide, a new roof of any type of material is better than an old roof in dire need of replacement.

At Feldco, we provide breakthrough design and triple layer protection to keep your roof insulated throughout the year. For a roof replacement, our installers are factory trained, experienced and professional to get the job done correctly. Speak to a product specialist and get a free quote today.