Materials / Natural Slate
Natural Slate
tile-slateSplit natural stone tiles for steep-slope roofs. Among the longest-lived roofing materials, with a distinctive fine-grained appearance.
Category family
tile-slate
Typical lifespan
75–150 years
Typical wind resistance
rated assemblies commonly to 130+ mph
Typical fire rating
Class A
Weight per square
800–1500 lbs
Cost band
$$$$
Slope suitability
steep
Typical warranty
50–100 years
Pros
- century-plus lifespan
- natural stone appearance
- non-combustible
- fully recyclable
Cons
- very heavy
- highest cost
- requires specialized installers
- individual slates can be damaged by impact
Related guides
Sources
- slateassociation.org verified 2026-07-11