Category Archives: slate roofing

Most Durable Roofing Materials

November 29, 2019news, roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to roofing materials, not all materials offer the same level of durability and protection. Considering how important your home’s roof is to the health of your home as a whole, it is important to ensure that you choose a roofing material that can keep your home properly protected no matter what Mother Nature has to offer. If you’re interested in learning more about which roofing materials offer the highest durability, keep reading below for more information!

Asphalt Shingles

First let’s take a look at what is the most commonly installed roofing material in North America, asphalt shingles. When it comes to durability, asphalt shingles are one of the better options on the market. They are one of the most economical roofing materials on the market, making them a fantastic option at the price point.

Clay Tiles

Another roofing option that offers almost unbeatable durability is clay tile roofing. Clay Tiles are an uncommon roofing material in the Northeast, but they are very popular in the Southwest & Europe. Clay tiles are highly durable, only being damaged by blunt trauma. Furthermore, clay tiles are designed to last for a century, making them one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market!

Metal Roofing

Another durable roofing option that many homeowners in the northeast trust to keep their homes protected is metal roofing. Metal roofing is highly resistant to every form of roofing damage, including blunt damage, fire, and all forms of weather. Furthermore, metal roofing is designed to last for at least a half-century, and with proper maintenance, it could last much longer!

Slate Roofing

Finally, when it comes to durable roofing materials, there’s nothing that can truly compete with slate roofing. Slate roofing is one of the most trusted roofing materials not only in North America but in history. Homeowners have been using slate tiles for centuries, and some historic architecture is constructed with slate roofing. In terms of providing your home with protection from the elements, slate is resistant to every kind of weather and can only really be damaged from heavy hail or damage from someone walking around on your roof.

Slate roofing can last for well over a hundred years with proper maintenance. If you ever have slate shingles that break, it is easy to replace individual shingles, but can sometimes be difficult to find an exact match for your slate shingles.

Contact Us Today

Are you interested in installing a new roof on your Rhode Island home? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! We can be reached over the phone by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Slate Roof Maintenance

September 1, 2019roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

Slate is one of the most durable, beautiful, and long-lasting roofing materials available. Capable of lasting well over a century, there are New England homes with original slate roofs that date back to the 19th, and sometimes even 18th, centuries. Slate roofing offers unmatched longevity, as it is essentially impervious to the elements, more than capable of withstanding anything that Mother Nature has to offer. However, as durable as slate roofing is, a slate roof doesn’t last that long without some maintenance along the way. If you’re interested in learning how you can increase the lifespan of your home’s slate roof, take a look at our blog to learn the tips and tricks you need to know in order to keep your home’s slate roof in great condition.

Clean Your Gutters

This tip is true for any roof, not just slate, but it is perhaps even more important for slate due to its weight. If your roof’s gutter system is backed up with debris, water will begin to pool and back up, potentially overflowing out of the top of the gutter system. When this occurs, water can seep underneath the lowest layers of shingles, where it can cause rot damage on your roof deck. While this is an issue for asphalt roofs, due to the weight of slate roofing, having a rotted roof deck could be catastrophic as the rotted wood can no longer withstand the weight of the slate. In order to keep your home properly protected, keep your gutters clear of debris!

Replace Missing & Broken Shingles

While slate is arguably the most durable roofing material on the market, that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to malfunctioning. Slate tiles are strong, but brittle, and with enough force they can be broken. Perhaps you needed to have a satellite dish installed on your roof, requiring the technician to walk around on top of it. Maybe a strong gust of wind came through a broke a nearby branch, which fell onto the roof. No matter how it happened, if you notice that your slate roof has broken shingles, it is important to repair them in order to prevent any damage from occurring to your roof deck. Broken and missing shingles can lead to water damage, which can quickly become a much bigger problem. If you notice any shingle issues, be sure to address them as soon as possible!

Contact Us Today

Are you in need of maintenance on your home’s slate roof? Our team can assist! Reach out to us today by calling (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your slate roofing needs!

A Guide To Different Kinds Of Slate Roofs

June 26, 2019slate roofingRIslate15

Slate was historically one of the most popular roofing materials in North America. It has long been renowned for its durability and longevity, and if you take a drive through the rural Northeast, you are more than likely to see a few roofs with the year of their construction built into the roof itself. When most homeowners imagine a slate roof, they imagine a home that is topped with gray stone, which is generally the most common style of slate that homeowners choose to install. However, there are many other kinds of slate roofing, as different slate mines produce different kinds of slate. The three main producers of slate in the United States today are Vermont, Pennslyvania, and Virginia, and a bit comes from upstate New York as well. These different regions produce a variety of colors and styles which makes it easy to customize a slate roof to your liking! Keep reading below to learn a bit more about the different styles of slate roofs!

Uniform Slate Roof

Likely the most common style, a uniform slate roof is simply constructed of square-cut, dark gray slate that is laid horizontally and aligned evenly. This is the standard style for a slate roof, but some homeowners opt for different styles.

Random-Width Roof

Another style of slate roof that is seen on occasion is the random width roof style of roof, which is essentially a variation of the uniform slate where the tiles are constructed of different widths but still laid uniformly.

Textured Slate Roof

A step up from random-width, textured slate is a popular style of slate roof that is comprised of rough cut slate tiles that are all different widths, textures, and lengths, which creates a unique texture to the roof that cannot be replicated.

Multi-Colored Slate Roof

A popular style of slate roof is the multi-colored style of roof that is comprised of different lots of slate. They are often staggered to create a pattern in the slate itself, and the many homeowners love the look of the multi-colored slate.

Patterned Slate Roof

Finally, one of the most common styles of slate roof in rural America is the patterned slate roof. A patterned roof is constructed by adding a flare of personal touch to a traditional uniform slate roof. One of the most common styles is when a slate roof has the year of its construction built into the roof with different colored slate shingles. However, the pattern can be more subtle than that, with hints of color spread across the roof that create accents. Other designs may be built into the roof, such as names, or geometric designs. These are one of the most beautiful styles of slate roof.

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in installing a slate roof on your home, reach out to our team today for more information about our services. We can be reached over the phone at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your slate roofing installation needs!

New Slate Roofing Job

July 26, 2018slate roofingRIslate15

The crew at Rhode Island Slate Roofing has successful completed another slate roofing job this past week. This beautiful home was in need of a new roof, and the owner decided to go with slate tiles.

The third picture shows why so many homeowners of these types of homes. The slate tiles go beautifully with the classic brick exterior of the home. On a recent blog post we talked about the importance of flashing on roofs as well as the different types of flashing.

The first picture shows the attention to detail that goes into to the laying of copper flashing. Some roofing contractors overlook laying down the flashing properly and rush to get the job done. If this happens, you create areas of weakness in your roof that can result in moisture build up and eventually leaks.

Interest in slate roofing? Looking for someone qualified to make repairs to your flashing or existing slate roof? Get in touch with Rhode Island Slate Roofing today!

How Does Your Roof Affect Your Energy Bill?

November 3, 2017slate roofingRIslate15

Growing up, you were probably told by your parents how important it was to wear a hat during winter. You may of heard some stat like, “75% of your heat escapes your body from your head!”. It makes sense, heat rises right? We cant confirm or deny these old wives tales, but when it comes to your roof (the head of your house) it is true that heat will escape it. That’s right, your roof does play a role in the cost of your utility bill.

With that being said, lets take a look at how different types of roof affect your energy bill.

Tiled Roofing

Tiled roofing is more effective at reducing energy costs than more traditional methods like shingle roofs. These materials are usually made to be resistant to thermal heat, making them great for homes that are in direct sunlight for most of the year.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs can be expensive, but they are extremely durable and have low maintenance costs associated with them. Because metal has a reflective nature, the sun’s heat naturally bounces off the metal rather than be absorbed into your home.

Slate Roofing

Slate roofing is considered a green roofing product. Slate roofing will reduce your energy use and your utility bill. Slate roofing has a natural insulating quality to it. Studies show that slate roofing can provide 10% on energy savings.

One of the biggest factors for energy use for your roof is how well it is insulated. When we speak about insulation, your attic also comes into play. Remember, the old wive’s tale about heat escaping from your head? Keep that in mind when picking out a new roof, or looking at new homes.

For more information on Slate Roofing and its benefits, contact Rhode Island Slate Roofing.

June 5, 2017slate roofingRIslate15

Choose an Experienced Slate Roofing Contractor

Are you building a house and considering going with slate as your tile choice? Slate tiling provides a unique look to make your house stand out amongst your neighbors. Not only is it a durable material, slate roofing is a visually appealing roofing material for many styles of houses. In Rhode Island, there are many older looking homes with traditionally looks. Slate roofing is great for these types of homes.

When you are looking to select a roofer in Rhode Island for slate roofing it’s important to consider experience. You want to choose a roofing contractor that has experience in slate roofing because of slates unique properties. And when it comes to experience, the more the better.

Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island Rhode Island Slate Roofing has been the go to choice In Rhode Island for decades. Owner Doug Weiker has been working on slate roofs for many years now. He has done work on historic houses and new homes as well. Slate roofing maintenance is a specialty of Rhode Island Slate Roofing as well. A well-maintained slate roof will last much longer than traditional shingle roofing.
From new Roof Installation to regular maintenance, contact us today to get your project rolling.

The Elegance of Slate Roofing

March 1, 2017slate roofingRIslate15

Slate Roofing: The Most Elegant Choice For Roofing

While Rhode Island Slate Roofing’s roofing experts can install any kind of roof onto your home for any practical or economic consideration, we feel that no other type of roofing comes close in terms of beauty, longevity, and elegance. Slate roofs are fireproof, waterproof, have a 100% green and environmentally friendly manufacturing process, and can last up to 150 years or more with proper maintenance and installation by specialists like those at Rhode Island Slate Roofing, which is by far the longest of any type of roof. Slate roofs can even be recycled into other productive uses if they outlast the lifetime of the house. Of the historic homes in New England, many of the oldest homes in the nation still have the original slate roofing from the 18^th century.

Slate Roofing Disadvantages

While we strongly feel that the advantages of slate roofing are worth any disadvantages, there are important notes to be aware of before you undergo the process of a full slate roofing installation. The two main factors that keep slate roofs from being the most popular type of roof are weight and expense. Slate is a heavy material, and not all housing architectures can support the full weight of a slate roof. Many roofs will require reinforcement of the roof deck to handle the weight of the slate tiles. The other major consideration is the price. Slate roofing is an investment into your home, but many homeowners for whom cost is a major consideration may look for a functional solution rather than the elegant solution that is slate roofing.

Hire a Slate Roofing Specialist

If you are a homeowner who is interested in slate roofing, and you are looking for a slate roofing specialist in Smithfield, East Providence, or anywhere else in MA or RI, look no further than Rhode Island Slate Roofing. Our qualified roofing experts are the hardest working contractors in the New England area, and our many years of expertise will serve you with a quality slate roof installation. Contact us today for a free estimate!

When Should I Replace My Gutters?

August 8, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

Homeowners spend so much time and effort protecting their home from the natural elements. From the entire roof down to your gutters, keeping everything up to par is crucial to keep the structure of your house strong. It may not seem like a ton but your gutters provide a huge role to the entire roofing system. If they become damaged they can result in water damage, roof damage, ice dams, and rotting interior walls.

The lifespan of your gutters will vary depending on specific conditions and previous maintenance. All homeowners should clean out their gutters two times a year to ensure your gutter system is working properly.

Top 10 Sings You May Need To Replace Gutters:

Gutters have dented, bent, holes and cracked
Gutters started to pull away or sag from the house
Mold is appearing in basement
Water leaking into basement
Home foundation cracks
Paint in home starts to peel & corrode behind gutter
Gutters are rusting
Puddles of water start to form around your home
Large amounts of standing water in your gutters
Gaps appear between gutters and where they attach on your home

The summer and beginning fall season is the best time of the year to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape. For more information on roofing services, or gutter information please feel free to give Rhode Island Slate Roofing a call at 401-255-2003 or fill out an online contact form.

Why Should I Invest In Slate Roofing?

May 16, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

slate-roofing-square A slate roof is a smart choice for homeowners for a number of reasons as it is often referred to as a “lifetime roofing system”. Slate is a natural stone that comes from clay and silt that has been deposited on ancient sea beds. Have you been thinking about investing in a slate roof? Call Rhode Island Slate Roofing for a free estimate on your roof and check out these pro’s of slate roofs!

Low-maintenance – slate roofs don’t rot and show great resistance to mold and algae growth. They are also highly resistant to temperature fluctuations and inclement weather such as rain, snow, and wind, which makes them a great option in climates with four distinct seasons.

Eco-friendly – with the longevity of slate roofs, they help reduce the waste from roof replacement, and the carbon footprint that comes from roof tear-offs. Traditional roofing materials get replaced every 10-20 years which ends up being thrown in landfills, with slate roofs lasting around 100 years, your roof won’t be contributing to this problem!

Beautiful – slate roofs are very aesthetically pleasing and come in an array of colors, sizes, and thicknesses in order to suit any home’s style.

Durable – made of natural stone, slate roofs are very durable. They prevent water from entering your home, and can withstand severe weather conditions to give you the best protection for your home. They are also completely non-combustible and will protect your home in the event of a fire. Slate roofs last alot longer than traditional roofing materials, in which many manufacturers offer long warranties on their roofing systems.

Increased energy efficiency – slate roofs are an excellent insulator which can help save you money on your heating and cooling costs.

For more information, read some stats and facts about slate roofing.

Statistics and Facts About Slate Roofing

March 17, 2016slate roofingRIslate15

As a company that specializes in slate roofing, we are obviously big fans of slate. Many homeowners come to the point where they are looking to pick out the right material for their homes roof. While slate isn’t always the perfect choice for everyone, it certainly has its benefits. We will be happy to speak with any homeowner who has question or concerns but to get you educated, check out some of the main benefits of slate roofing.

Slate Roofing’s Lifespan: Slate is essentially a rock, so therefore, the material is over millions of years old. Slate roofs as a whole can last anywhere between 75 to 200 years. We work with a range of slate roofs and it’s important to keep them well maintained so they will last as long as possible.

Slate Roof Advantages Over Shingle Roof:

One difference to look at is comparing the lifespan of the two. A slate roof is often called a “forever roof” because you will only need to install it once in your lifetime and a shingle roof may need to be replaced two or three times. Another difference between the two is resale value. The natural beauty and durability of a slate roof will increase the value of your home. Some other benefits that slate roofs hold over shingles are the natural ability to resist fire and mold.

Preparing for Slate Roofs:

While slate roofs provide an amazing number of positives, they do add a lot of weight to your roof. If your home isn’t properly constructed to handle slate, additional support may be needed.

Pricing: Considering all the benefits that slate provide, as you can imagine, it is more expensive then the usual shingle roof.

Coloring & Styling: One of the biggest pluses and noticeable factors of slate roofing is the numerous styles, textures and colors options that are available. The rustic and natural beauty cannot be matched by another other roof.

Each roofing option has their positives and negatives. For more information about slate roofing and to see if it’s the right fit for you, please feel free to give us a call at 401-225-2003 or fill out our online contact form.