Synthetic Slate Tiles for repairing Slate roof?

B

Bloome

Guest
I own a house built in 1910 with a slate roof. I had a number of loose and missing tiles on the roof and hired a roofing contractor that specialized in slate roofing to do repairs and maintenance.

When the worked came out to do the work, I discovered that they use synthetic slate shingles to replace missing shingles (or is it tiles?). They told me you can't even get new slate which seemed questionable. They never mentioned using synthetic slate tiles when they came out to give me a quote nor when I received that quote in writing.

Anyway, I was in a rush and was surprised with the materials when they showed up to do the work so I let them proceed. However, after reading about synthetic slate online, I'm not sure that I should've done that.

I have 2 questions:
  1. How much should the installation of synthetic slate cost? I've yet to pay for the repair and I want to make sure I'm not being ripped off.
  2. Should I have the synthetic slate replaced with actual slate?
Thanks!
Bloome
 
They are a bunch of Cowboys, telling you a load of lies.
Any good roofing merchants, will have new and second hand slates in stock, in your case I would probably opt for second hand to match the roof.
Do not pay them until they fix the job, ie, get rid of the fabricated slates, put in real slates and do the job properly.
 
Not sure about price, did you get other quotes beforehand? Did they need scaffold or tower?

Ideally you want a minimum of 3 quotes.

Real slates are available, there are many reclamation yards that are like to stock the slate you are after.

Most houses are roofed in welsh slate, ranging in different sizes.

Replacing loose slates they would have to put in hooks or straps as they can not nail through the slate with the row above it.

Do you have any pictures?

Doesn't sound good, I'm quite particular about this and using man-made slates with real will look like an eyesore.
 
Jitender said:
Replacing loose slates they would have to put in hooks or straps as they can not nail through the slate with the row above it.
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Depends on the way the roof has been slated and size of slates, whether clips are used or the slates are moved and nailed.
 
teabreak said:
Slates are available but these are imported. Welsh slate is still reckoned to be the best but pretty pricey. As said second hand slates are plentiful.
https://www.roofingsuppliesuk.co.uk/Roof-Tiles/natural-slate-tiles
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Welsh slate is still available, but at a premium price.

I was at last years building show, and they import a lot of slate from Spain as well as Canada.

Many re-roofs that are occurring on older properties are now re-roofed in imported slate.

I particularly like the hues and tones from welsh slate (blue and plum coloures)
 
Not sure which slate has been used for the repair. As there are many types available.

Like fibre cement (2 nail holes and use a copper rivet).
 
So I just looked up my home inspection report and it says "Vermont slate finish...A few had been replaced with West Virginian slates."

No scaffold or tower was required. They just used ladders.

What would one expect 15-20 replaced slates to cost? Most were easily accessible.
 
Bloome said:
Yes. The Northeast.
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This is a UK forum so we would not know the price for your repairs.
Vermont is a nice slate with it's green colour, it is also used here in the UK, it is specified on a lot of Heritage and listed buildings.
 
Jitender said:
Welsh slate is still available, but at a premium price.

I was at last years building show, and they import a lot of slate from Spain as well as Canada.

Many re-roofs that are occurring on older properties are now re-roofed in imported slate.

I particularly like the hues and tones from welsh slate (blue and plum coloures)
Click to expand...

Like all commodities that we import, large amount of Chinese slate also finds it’s way onto our roofs !
 
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