Virginia has had its fair share of strong storms; and the only way people can defend themselves against these violent forces of nature is by tucking themselves away inside their homes while waiting for the wind and rain to pass. As long as their homes’ roofing is constructed of tough materials, there’s nothing much for them to be worried about.
The roof of a home is like the stronghold that keeps the family comfortable, dry, and safe against the raging elements, and with today’s trends in eco-friendliness and the pursuit for more durable materials, people turn to contractors of roofing in Richmond, VA to help them find roofing materials that would be suitable for their needs. If you’re looking for a material that’s both environment friendly and durable, then you should consider installing a slate roof.
Information resource slateassociation.org states that slate roofing has many benefits that not only satisfy the homeowner, but positively impact the environment as well. Since slate alreasdy exists in nature, and comes directly from quarries before it is split into shingles or tiles, the production process has less harmful environmental effects in comparison to manufactured products such as asphalt shingles.
Asphalt shingles have a life expectancy of up to 30 years, and would eventually need replacing. On the other hand, slate stone should last as long as the Earth, itself; with slate shingles used in roofing for 50 to 100 years, even longer if properly maintained. This means that you don’t have to worry about having to replace your roofing (at least not in your lifetime) and tossing away the junk roofing materials, which studies show accounts for up to 5 percent of the trash sent to landfills.
Note that slate shingles are recyclable, too. Due to their sturdiness, some slate tiles could outlast the buildings themselves and can be stripped off, washed, repaired, and installed into a new home. Although some materials are also recyclable, slate shingles don’t need to undergo any special process before being used again.
Slate’s density and durability makes it naturally resistant against insects and fires, making it less impervious to other forms of damages that could infiltrate a roof’s surface. Since slate is basically metamorphic rock, it makes a great roofing shingle to use for homes located in places like Richmond, VA that receive a lot of rain and snow. The only downside to slate roofing is its cost and installation.
Slate is quite heavy, and a bit difficult to work with, so you’ll need the capable hands of Richmond roofing experts like those from A Plus Roofing to help you out. Slate may be more expensive and costly to install, but its benefits could surely outweigh the drawbacks as it is low-maintenance, highly durable, and eco-friendly.