NSW Slate Roofing has invested in decades of experience in working with many different roofing materials. Partnering with leading slate suppliers, we only use the highest quality slate in for all our roofing projects. NSW Slate Roofing has a large portfolio of beautiful and resilient roof projects, including Welsh Slate roofing.
When searching for a new roofing setup, cost is one factor that needs to be taken into consideration. You may have noticed that Welsh slate is often more expensive than other materials. While this can be a put off at first, it is important to understand why it is priced the way it is.
SO WHAT IS WELSH SLATE?
Seen as the gold standard slate, Welsh slate is a type of Slate thats mined from quarries around Wales. The amazing thing is that this slate has formed in these deposits over 500 million years ago.
Mined from slate quarries in Wales, this particular type of slate is quite durable. When compared to other types of slate, like Spanish Slate, The durability factor is much higher. There are two main types of welsh slate that are available on the market, Penrhyn and CWT-y-Bugail.
Penrhyn slate comes from the Penrhyn quarry in Bethesda Wales. The slate mined there has a blue grey finish that is unique.
CWT-y-Bugail Slate originates from Ffestiniog in North Wales. This variation of Welsh slate comes in Dark grey and blue slate tiles. This blue grey colouration attracts many homeowners and commercial business owners.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF WELSH SLATE ROOFING?
So why do people choose to use welsh slate as their roofing material? There are a fair few benefits that tip the scales in welsh slates favour when compared to most roofing materials. Here are a few:
Durability
When it comes to durability, there aren’t many materials that can compete with slate. On a practical level, Welsh slate roofs provide a large amount of protection from the elements. Its durability is a result if the stone having many layers of thin sheets making it dense and heavy. Even when put up against other types of slate, Welsh slate is unbeaten in durability and strength.
Energy efficiency
Welsh slate is also energy efficient. With its insulation qualities, you save money on energy bills during the cooler seasons. That doesn’t mean that you will melt in summer though, slate is also effective at keeping the heat outside and keeping the cooler air indoors. This may seem like a vague generalisation but there is a definite benefit to having a roofing solution that has strong insular properties.
Low – maintenance
Welsh slate requires very little maintenance to keep its resiliency. Regular cleaning, clearing away debris and repairing any cracked tiles is enough to ensure your roof has a long and happy life. Many people neglect maintaining their roofs, which can result in expensive repair bills. Because it is easy to forget to care for your roof, investing in a roof that is resilient can mitigate the potential damages down the road.
Long life expectancy
If you are looking for a roofing solution that will last over a lifetime, look no further than Welsh slate. If maintained, slate can last well over 100 years. The most common roofing material, asphalt shingles have an average life expectancy of around 20 years, which is very short.
Aesthetic appeal
One of the main elements that draw people to Welsh slate is its aesthetics. What good is a roof that you can’t even bare to lay your eyes on it? Slate has a distinguished look that is magnified by its unique earthy texture that can’t be replicated. When fitted to the right building, slate roofing can really stand out from the rest.
BUT WHY IS WELSH SLATE EXPENSIVE?
One of the most important elements people factor into their decision when choosing a roofing material, is the price. Welsh slate is usually more expensive than most roofing materials.
What still needs consideration though, is why. The work involved in mining slate is significant to say the least. Much of it is hands on and requires the division of slate blocks into many different segments.
Another contributing factor to the cost is the shipping expenses. Shipping large amounts of slate overseas is quite expensive.
Slate is one of the heaviest roofing tiles available. Carrying the slate tiles up to the roof takes a fair amount of time. On site cutting of the slate adds to the time and cost.
NSW SLATE ROOFING PROFESSIONALS
If you are looking to have quality slate roofing tiles installed or repaired, look no further than NSW Slate Roofing. We have over 25 years experience working with Welsh slate, Spanish slate, Canadian slate and more. Of all the slate companies, we are ahead of the curve with our passion for quality roofing installed or repaired at an affordable price. If you would like a free quote or consultation, contact us online today or give us a call on 1300 102 908. We look forward to hearing from you.