Slate vs. Alternatives
It's difficult for any other material to compete with natural slate. Facts and figures.
Slate vs Fibre Cement 'Slate'
Studies show that over a 30 year period, a fibre cement roof will have to be replaced at least once. Natural slate carries a 50–100 year written warranty.
Slate vs Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles typically weigh double that of natural slate (51 kg/m² vs 20–30 kg/m²), increasing structural costs. Over 100 years, natural slate roofing costs approximately 80% that of equivalent concrete roof installation.
Slate vs Clay Tiles
Clay tile production involves kiln firing that consumes more energy and releases greater CO₂ than slate extraction. Natural slate achieves an 'A+' BRE Green Guide rating.
Roofing Materials Comparison
No other roofing material can truly compete with slate on longevity and lifecycle cost.
| Roofing Product | Weight (kg/m²) | Durability (yrs) | Maintenance Cost | Re-Roofing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Tiles | 51 | 30 | 10% | 3.33× |
| Clay Tiles | 63 | 40 | 10% | 2.5× |
| Fibre Cement “Slates” | 21–25 | 30 | 12% | 3.33× |
| SSQ Ultra Natural Slates | 20–30 | 100+ | 12% | 1× |
Source: Building Magazine
Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE)
Comparison of natural slate against clay and concrete tiles for embodied energy and carbon footprint.
| Product | Embodied Energy (MJ/kg) | Embodied Carbon (kgCO₂/kg) | Life Expectancy (yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Roofing Slate | 0.1 – 1.0 | 0.005 – 0.054 | 20 – 100+ |
| Clay Tile | 6.5 | 0.43 | 40 – 65 |
| Concrete Tile | 1.2 | 0.19 | 30 – 50 |
Source: Inventory of Carbon and Energy, University of Bath, 2006
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