How much does a slate roof cost? We are often asked by designers, architects, home and building owners “What will a slate roof cost me”?

On average, North American produced S-1 rated roofing slate will cost $600-$800 USD per square (100 square feet) per square foot for a standard thickness 1/4”-3/8” roof. Color, size and availability are all contributing factors to this range of roofing slate material costs. Historically, semi-weathering gray/green (Sea Green) has been one of the less expensive slates, due to its easy working characteristics and the relative abundance of stone deposits; while unfading red, due to its difficult working characteristics and relative rarity, can range upwards to over $1,000 USD per square. In general, the cost of weathering or semi-weathering slates are less expensive than unfading slates, although both will give comparable service life. The cost of transportation of roofing slate from the producer to the job site must also be taken into consideration. These costs may range from $15 – $80 USD per square depending on quantity shipped, the distance to destination and access to the job site. The delivery of a quality, North American produced, S-1 rated roofing slate to your job site at this point will yield a roof with a minimum service life of more than 75 years and represents a solid, cost effective and aesthetic investment in your building. Once the slate has arrived on site, the cost of installing a slate roof system by a qualified contractor depends on a number of factors, including roof complexity, roof pitch, accessibility, the details of hips, ridges and valleys, flashing materials and regional wage, insurance and benefit variations. Installation costs on a simple gable to gable roof with few or no roof penetrations may cost $15 USD per square foot. Installation on a more elaborate and complex roofscape may cost $30 USD per square foot or more. Having a qualified slate roofing contractor install your slate roof system including underlayment, ice dam protection membrane, flashing and valley metal, drip edge, slate, gutters and downspouts will be the key to your 100 year roof. These are the people who can assess your roof or roof plans and give you a budget price for the installed cost of a complete roof. Should natural roofing slate be outside your budget, these same roofing contractors can recommend suitable alternatives for your building. North Country Slate would welcome the opportunity of providing you with information on our natural roofing slate products and we would be pleased to refer qualified slate contractors in your area to you to get you started on your way.

What roof decking is required for the application of slate?

One inch board sheathing or 3/4″ APA plywood provides a suitable deck material for the installation of natural slate. This material provides minimum deflection during nailing, supports the weight of the slate between rafters and provides adequate resistance to nail pull out.

Where does slate come from?

Roofing slate is actively produced from high quality North American quarries located in Vermont, New York, Virginia and Quebec, Canada

Slate Roof Installation Details

Eave Installation

Closed Valley

Open Valley

Metal Hip

Saddle Hip

Mitered Hip

Metal Ridge

For more slate roofing installation and slate roofing repair information visit the National Slate Association; Slate Roofs Mobile Field Guide http://mobile.slateassociation.org/

FAQs

How much does a slate roof cost? We are often asked by designers, architects, home and building owners “What will a slate roof cost me”?

On average, North American produced S-1 rated roofing slate will cost $600-$800 USD per square (100 square feet) per square foot for a standard thickness 1/4”-3/8” roof. Color, size and availability are all contributing factors to this range of roofing slate material costs. Historically, semi-weathering gray/green (Sea Green) has been one of the less expensive slates, due to its easy working characteristics and the relative abundance of stone deposits; while unfading red, due to its difficult working characteristics and relative rarity, can range upwards to over $1,000 USD per square. In general, the cost of weathering or semi-weathering slates are less expensive than unfading slates, although both will give comparable service life. The cost of transportation of roofing slate from the producer to the job site must also be taken into consideration. These costs may range from $15 – $80 USD per square depending on quantity shipped, the distance to destination and access to the job site. The delivery of a quality, North American produced, S-1 rated roofing slate to your job site at this point will yield a roof with a minimum service life of more than 75 years and represents a solid, cost effective and aesthetic investment in your building. Once the slate has arrived on site, the cost of installing a slate roof system by a qualified contractor depends on a number of factors, including roof complexity, roof pitch, accessibility, the details of hips, ridges and valleys, flashing materials and regional wage, insurance and benefit variations. Installation costs on a simple gable to gable roof with few or no roof penetrations may cost $15 USD per square foot. Installation on a more elaborate and complex roofscape may cost $30 USD per square foot or more. Having a qualified slate roofing contractor install your slate roof system including underlayment, ice dam protection membrane, flashing and valley metal, drip edge, slate, gutters and downspouts will be the key to your 100 year roof. These are the people who can assess your roof or roof plans and give you a budget price for the installed cost of a complete roof. Should natural roofing slate be outside your budget, these same roofing contractors can recommend suitable alternatives for your building. North Country Slate would welcome the opportunity of providing you with information on our natural roofing slate products and we would be pleased to refer qualified slate contractors in your area to you to get you started on your way.

What roof decking is required for the application of slate?

One inch board sheathing or 3/4″ APA plywood provides a suitable deck material for the installation of natural slate. This material provides minimum deflection during nailing, supports the weight of the slate between rafters and provides adequate resistance to nail pull out.

Where does slate come from?

Roofing slate is actively produced from high quality North American quarries located in Vermont, New York, Virginia and Quebec, Canada