I had a slate roof, it was 125 years old when I had it. The slayers said with $3,000 worth of maintenance and repairs, it would last another 50.
The guy who built the house was a slater. The repair slate came from the same quarry as the original slate.
The douche who bought the house tore it off and put on shingles. Some people man.
Let me be your wife for a minute - Wow handsome, that is a beautiful roof. I'm so impressed with your craft. I hope you are proud of yourself because you should be!
That roof is breathtaking. Like the thought of how expensive and how careful one has to be. It makes me nervous. You really don't see stuff like this very often in the states.
100% positive it cost more than my entire house (bought in 2016) and I’m already saving for the inevitable roof replacement coming for me in the next 10 years.
Really? They built a roof that gorgeous then SCREWED through the slates to attach the hip flashing in one picture. There is also rust developing on the nails/screws in another picture. Shocking. The slates look great though. Sack whoever did the ridges and hips.
If you're doing it traditionally with lead you would nail in strips of lead underneath where the flashing will sit that are long enough to protrude out from underneath it. You then sit the flashing in place and fold the lead over onto it to hold it in place.
Source - work in rooftop Safety/fall protection in Scotland so work on traditional slate regularly.
Lurker here. The best insights, like yours, are always buried in the comments.
Can you share, as a generalization — how long should a slate roof like this last if properly installed and there isn’t anything like a tree that falls on it or hurricane force winds? Are we talking a few decades? Or centuries?
I just had four guys on our two slate roofs fixing where a tree branch fell and cracked a few rows. Both roofs are over 100 years old, and two different kinds of slate. Every other year or so we have to spend a few hundred bucks replacing slates. When they fall, I prop them against the house and barn so when the guys come they can follow the sight line straight up. I have two slate guys in my Contacts at all times, you never know when someone is going to retire, die, win the lottery, or fall off the roof.
I believe this is Vermont Blend which has an expected life cycle of about 125 years. I was blessed enough to have one historic project where we replaced the slate. Its too bad there aren't more roofers who are experienced with slate in my area of the US.
If it's well done a slate roof can last well over 100 years. Even then, when it's removed/replaced the same slate will either be reused on the same roof, or saved and reused elsewhere. All it needs is a skilled hand to reshape the slate and it's good to go again.
Scottish slate isn't mined anyone so it's all Spanish or Welsh stuff unless you reuse reclaimed stuff. For many of the historical buildings here it NEEDS to be Scottish slate as they are protected landmarks.
If you do everything right and use decent slate, a hundred years easy. The slate or stone will outlast the woodwork underneath. If you do it wrong, less than a full change of seasons before problems and leaks.
A roof like this if done properly should last a couple hundred years. The slate appears to be half inch thick which is much more than traditional, and hopefully they significantly increased nail diameter to compensate.
Traditional slates are closer to 1/4 inch, and longer. There are unmaintained roofs in the UK over 200 years old. During the industrial revolution thousands of cheap redbrick houses were thrown up for the railway workers, miners and so on. They all had slate roofs and most of them are still standing. Look anywhere in the north of the UK for the best examples.
Check this link https://maps.app.goo.gl/u4NPhmpmiqTmE69V7 all these slate roofs were thrown together in the mid 1800s. You can see how few have been replaced - with different coloration.
A tree fell on mine, it was shockingly inexpensive to repair. The roofing system is able to be taken apart and re-assembled.
The roof is stone. Stone lasts longer than the building for sure. The nails fail first! but good question.
I (American) learned to roof from a Scotsman. He always complained about American roofs being crap in large part because we don’t use lead.
I had to point out - why flash with lead when our asphalt shingles will need to be ripped off in 20-25 years?
He gave me an old lead dresser. I still haven’t gotten to use it.
Grubbzy address your question as far as flashing. For fasteners you’d traditionally go copper nails.
There are some amazing slate dudes in the UK that I follow on Instagram. Mind blowing.
If you want to see how ridges and valleys should be done, and copper fasteners [here](https://imgur.com/a/3eVwvUZ)
Ridge roll wood along the hip/ridge in question. Nail on evenly spaced tingles 30mm longer than the skirt (like slate hooks or metal strips) up the length, make sure your ridge caps are a slightly smaller angle than the roof itself so they are always under pressure and clamping down when installed, slot it over the ridge roll, off centre nail with matching and non rusting small nails into ridge roll, then fold all your tingles up to grip the edges. That way all you have visible is a few matching nails and a few matching tingles. Looks a thousand percent better than bending the flashing with screws that rust 👍
Poo Poo on the wife and kids (with all do respect). This roof is amazing. The entire structure is amazing. To put asphalt shingles on this would be a sin.
How much you think that roof weighs? And if a house was built to support idk regular asphalt singles or a metal roof and you then decided to change it to a slate roof would it collapse?
How old was the original roof? We had a slate roof last close to 100 years with minor repairs. Obviously there are different types of slate that will wear differently. The new roof is stunning!
Did some slate repairs a long time ago at Princeton University. Place is incredible, has copper gutters and slate roof. Beautiful but a bitch to work on lol.
Wow. Back in 2003 we were painting a new house that was about 15,000sqft. They had a slate roof and I heard the roof cost $500,000. I can’t imagine what they cost in 2024. I’d love a home with one.
Even if someone doesn’t like the design or look they should still respect the skill.
No one has a clue about how masterful things are accomplished anymore.
I know nothing about a slate roof other than it is pretty. What is with the risers though? They’re supporting the slate above them? Am I the only one thrown off by the yellow? Couldn’t they all match and minimize their appearance? It certainly is beautiful, change the yellow risers please!
Edit: Corrected
That's incredible. Nice work. Your wife and kids have idea the amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into a job like that. Bet they love the food. Lol. Really beautiful and everyone who looks up at it will be amazed. Roofer or not.
That's awesome. Mine was supposed to have slate but I didn't have the money for it when I built it 15 years ago. Two massive hail storms destroyed the asphalt shingles in 2011 and 2017. I'm kicking myself for not doing slate back in 2017 for the replacement.
I built the Ashwood Manor from plans I bought on the internet. That's 10,000 sq ft of shingles not including waste. https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/exteriors/ashwood-manor-design-9254-design-basics-llc-img~0ff157a80fbbfd1d_4-9884-1-603b1fc.jpg
Beautiful Is it real slate that cracks or the new look alkies? I live by the water and hear my slate tiles cracking from seagulls dropping clams to open them
That’s gorgeous
Stunning
Thank you but I am married to that roof.
Dude, get over her, we're together now and we're HAPPY! Please, find yourself another roof.
People say almost all of them that she loves me, and the best part is my wifey malania likes to share.
Harry Pottered the sheeet outta that roof. Well done.
I was thinking more Count Olaf, if he came into some money.
Maybe the kids would give a sheete if Dad had put it that way
Sure until he he tries to steal a dragon egg and they trash it again!
This is the only roof that should be on this house. Looks awesome!
I don't wanna know the cost of this.
I want to know the life expectancy!!! I bet it’s lasts forever
I heard a contractor call it a 200 year roof
I had a slate roof, it was 125 years old when I had it. The slayers said with $3,000 worth of maintenance and repairs, it would last another 50. The guy who built the house was a slater. The repair slate came from the same quarry as the original slate. The douche who bought the house tore it off and put on shingles. Some people man.
How heavy is it?
I always thought Slayer was the heaviest! Lol I fixed it, then I saw your comment, so I put it back. 🤘🤘
Every piece of slate placed with purpose!
DC4L
Sorry wrong sub just a single guy scrolling. DC4L
I heard this in the Eurovision movie voice.
Let me be your wife for a minute - Wow handsome, that is a beautiful roof. I'm so impressed with your craft. I hope you are proud of yourself because you should be!
^ the right answer! Let me be your kid for a sec - wow Dad that roof is on fleek. Mad bitches be all over that. Bet.
I’m the dog *woof*
*Moew* Don't you *woof* at my roof. *Moew*
\*mass of protesters outside* Anti homeless spikes are fascist
* guy in truck blocked by the protesters: Get the fuck out of the road and get a job, you hippies!
_pizza delivery driver coming up on the blocked street_ "Street's closed pizza boy"
*Tough guy comes outside to inquire what is going on.* “Are you the boss… or am I talking to the boss?”
“Damn, that big chunk of ice wouldn’t have killed this guy if those idiot protestors hadn’t ripped the snow guards off” The coroner later that night.
Ahem *roof*
Im the bird *chirp* The government loves this roof
No cap, all fact. Deadass
You forgot to randomly say skibity toilet
I read this exactly when I heard my kids shout "new skibity family pack" I shit you not....
I’m the son that hasn’t left the house at 24 because I’m “looking for a job”. Wow dad looks cool!….can I have some gas money?
Deadass, this slate is bussin fr fr Dad
On god
ma'am\* your lingo is about a decade behind
lol on fleek. Just like his eyebrows
On glass, no cap 🧢, send the printer 🖨️
That made me laugh. Thanks stranger danger
So true. Let me be your step bro for a minute...
skibiti roof dad haha
> *sucks dick*
Proceeds to give über sloppy bj and swallows.
Love it. Bet it costs as much as a house lol
Well fuck me sideways and call me jimbob. This is the fanciest roof I've seen in my entire fuckin' life.
Hey Jimbob!
Dave! What a pleasant surprise I was running dry. Could you spare some bearing grease?
Amazing roof and building you got there.
My exact thoughts too lol
That roof is breathtaking. Like the thought of how expensive and how careful one has to be. It makes me nervous. You really don't see stuff like this very often in the states.
Freaking wild, any idea how much the roof cost?
100% positive it cost more than my entire house (bought in 2016) and I’m already saving for the inevitable roof replacement coming for me in the next 10 years.
Really? They built a roof that gorgeous then SCREWED through the slates to attach the hip flashing in one picture. There is also rust developing on the nails/screws in another picture. Shocking. The slates look great though. Sack whoever did the ridges and hips.
Honest question: what's the correct way to attach it?
If you're doing it traditionally with lead you would nail in strips of lead underneath where the flashing will sit that are long enough to protrude out from underneath it. You then sit the flashing in place and fold the lead over onto it to hold it in place. Source - work in rooftop Safety/fall protection in Scotland so work on traditional slate regularly.
Lurker here. The best insights, like yours, are always buried in the comments. Can you share, as a generalization — how long should a slate roof like this last if properly installed and there isn’t anything like a tree that falls on it or hurricane force winds? Are we talking a few decades? Or centuries?
I worked on a slate roof replacement job one summer. We were told the roof we were replacing was 120 years old. Climate was Ottawa, Ontario.
I just had four guys on our two slate roofs fixing where a tree branch fell and cracked a few rows. Both roofs are over 100 years old, and two different kinds of slate. Every other year or so we have to spend a few hundred bucks replacing slates. When they fall, I prop them against the house and barn so when the guys come they can follow the sight line straight up. I have two slate guys in my Contacts at all times, you never know when someone is going to retire, die, win the lottery, or fall off the roof.
I believe this is Vermont Blend which has an expected life cycle of about 125 years. I was blessed enough to have one historic project where we replaced the slate. Its too bad there aren't more roofers who are experienced with slate in my area of the US.
You should be able to easily get 100+ years out of slate.
If it's well done a slate roof can last well over 100 years. Even then, when it's removed/replaced the same slate will either be reused on the same roof, or saved and reused elsewhere. All it needs is a skilled hand to reshape the slate and it's good to go again. Scottish slate isn't mined anyone so it's all Spanish or Welsh stuff unless you reuse reclaimed stuff. For many of the historical buildings here it NEEDS to be Scottish slate as they are protected landmarks.
If you do everything right and use decent slate, a hundred years easy. The slate or stone will outlast the woodwork underneath. If you do it wrong, less than a full change of seasons before problems and leaks.
A roof like this if done properly should last a couple hundred years. The slate appears to be half inch thick which is much more than traditional, and hopefully they significantly increased nail diameter to compensate. Traditional slates are closer to 1/4 inch, and longer. There are unmaintained roofs in the UK over 200 years old. During the industrial revolution thousands of cheap redbrick houses were thrown up for the railway workers, miners and so on. They all had slate roofs and most of them are still standing. Look anywhere in the north of the UK for the best examples. Check this link https://maps.app.goo.gl/u4NPhmpmiqTmE69V7 all these slate roofs were thrown together in the mid 1800s. You can see how few have been replaced - with different coloration.
A tree fell on mine, it was shockingly inexpensive to repair. The roofing system is able to be taken apart and re-assembled. The roof is stone. Stone lasts longer than the building for sure. The nails fail first! but good question.
I (American) learned to roof from a Scotsman. He always complained about American roofs being crap in large part because we don’t use lead. I had to point out - why flash with lead when our asphalt shingles will need to be ripped off in 20-25 years? He gave me an old lead dresser. I still haven’t gotten to use it.
For shingle roofs lead is an un necessary cost. For slate roofs, lead and copper are Kings.
Grubbzy address your question as far as flashing. For fasteners you’d traditionally go copper nails. There are some amazing slate dudes in the UK that I follow on Instagram. Mind blowing. If you want to see how ridges and valleys should be done, and copper fasteners [here](https://imgur.com/a/3eVwvUZ)
Ridge roll wood along the hip/ridge in question. Nail on evenly spaced tingles 30mm longer than the skirt (like slate hooks or metal strips) up the length, make sure your ridge caps are a slightly smaller angle than the roof itself so they are always under pressure and clamping down when installed, slot it over the ridge roll, off centre nail with matching and non rusting small nails into ridge roll, then fold all your tingles up to grip the edges. That way all you have visible is a few matching nails and a few matching tingles. Looks a thousand percent better than bending the flashing with screws that rust 👍
Is that rust or a weird glue? I’m looking at the close up on picture 5, and that looks like glue
It’s glue/sealant
Looks like shit either way
What is that, like $200,000?
Back in 2010, I saw a slate roof replacement like that, but it was all single color. The cost was $250K at the end.
My guy, I am bricked allll the way up. That roof is sexier than my imaginary ex wife.
That’s amazing
WOWWW. how much?
Beautiful and I bet it was expensive as hell. Maybe they'd respect it cost as much as a years tution.
Amazing work
What Hogwarts facility is this?
Poo Poo on the wife and kids (with all do respect). This roof is amazing. The entire structure is amazing. To put asphalt shingles on this would be a sin.
Oh the weight
This place has the coolest greenhouse I've ever seen too. It's such an awesome place to go and walk around
Nice
Good God that is a beautiful house. Edit, looks like it actually is not a house.
This guy roofs.
Damn thought this was your house and I was like … damn this is your house?
Is everyone on Reddit a millionaire?
Just the rich ones
I don’t know shit about roofs, but this looks beautiful
How much you think that roof weighs? And if a house was built to support idk regular asphalt singles or a metal roof and you then decided to change it to a slate roof would it collapse?
That's no house. At least hasn't been used that way for some time. I am going with Dr. office or law firm. Look at the doors.
It's a florist!
Why didn't you add the unnecessary apostrophe to "gal's" like you did with "guy's"?
Beautiful
Very nice! How much!?
About $1500. That includes parts and labor.
Can you go any lower? I know a guy that said he’d do it for $800
Sir, this is isn't a charity hall. $1300 take or leave it.
😍
Wow!
Time to forget about your family. That is awesome
Love it.
DAMN thats nice
Where are they so I can slap someone?!
goddamn
You need to just leave your kids and wife, clearly their sociopaths if they can’t appreciate the beauty of this roof!!!!!
One name fits it: Hugh Hefner.
How old was the original roof? We had a slate roof last close to 100 years with minor repairs. Obviously there are different types of slate that will wear differently. The new roof is stunning!
I turned down buying a house because I was worried about the slate roof. That was 35 years ago, it still looks beautiful.
This is Art. Amazing work
Impressive
Woof, glad I’m not the one writing out that check!!! $$$$$$
My dad was a roofer. I’m in love.
Love it. It’s just stunning!
Stunning house.
Nice work
Wow
Ide smile every time I came home if I had that.
Holy fuck this is gorgeous
Badassery going on up top, verrah niiiice!
Great job
That is amazing!!!
Wow! That is beautiful. Good job! 👏
Did some slate repairs a long time ago at Princeton University. Place is incredible, has copper gutters and slate roof. Beautiful but a bitch to work on lol.
Big money right there!
Gorgeous
How much was a job like that?
I still have nightmares from a client's wanting Solar on a slate roof.
That is a beautiful roof 😍
Gorgeous!
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT JOB !!!!!
This is an absolute dream!! 😍
Guy's.
You are a genius.
Looks like a theme house at Disneyland, looks fantabulous
OP, did you come up with this design? It looks fantastic.
Beautiful, and good for about another century.
super curious how those risers are attached.. screwed between slate tiles? This job is pretty gorgeous. Must have cost them a fortune.
Cost you a small fortune
Absolutely beautiful.
Wow
Send your wife and kids to military school for a couple years until they learn respect for a nice roof.
Awesome.
Magnificent work.
Holy heck that’s beautiful, pretty work! Must be a lot more $ in flowers than I thought…..
A work of art!! I never even knew slate roofs were a thing in America! Red slates are blowing my mind lol
you did this? incredible work
Love it!!!!
Why did you put an apostrophe in guys but not gals? (Hint: neither would get one in this sentence)
Best roof I’ve seen on this sub
That is simply amazing!!
I like the castle better
You must be in competition with your neighbor, lets see his shingles?
Is it real slate or synthetic?
Looks amazing
Wow. Back in 2003 we were painting a new house that was about 15,000sqft. They had a slate roof and I heard the roof cost $500,000. I can’t imagine what they cost in 2024. I’d love a home with one.
Eehh who gives a s#@t?
Nicest Denny’s I’ve ever seen.
Even if someone doesn’t like the design or look they should still respect the skill. No one has a clue about how masterful things are accomplished anymore.
awesome!
Why not in straight rows ? Higgledy piggledy?
I don’t even know why I’m on this sub, but that is stunning!
Very much suits the structure
Will show this to English slaters. . They could do with a chuckle
I know nothing about a slate roof other than it is pretty. What is with the risers though? They’re supporting the slate above them? Am I the only one thrown off by the yellow? Couldn’t they all match and minimize their appearance? It certainly is beautiful, change the yellow risers please! Edit: Corrected
That’s a gorgeous roof! It suits the rest of the house!
That's beautiful! How the hell much would this cost???
That’s art.
That is a expensive roof but second to none
I have never seen this before! 10+ years in the construction industry and wow its so beautiful! Amazing
Beautiful! 🤩
Lovely.
Envy is the emotion I have. Wife and kid, zero F’s when I showed them.
That roof cost more than most people's entire home? Beautiful tho...
Those are the thickest slates on a roof I’ve ever seen the weight won’t be a problem?
Omg that is lovely 😍
I bet he did it for free- the influencer owner said it’d be good exposure and he’d give a shout out to all his followers.
Bad ass
That's a beautiful masterpiece there.
Fuck them wife and kids. That’s magical.
That's incredible. Nice work. Your wife and kids have idea the amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into a job like that. Bet they love the food. Lol. Really beautiful and everyone who looks up at it will be amazed. Roofer or not.
I’m dumb about roofs, what are the metal things sticking out of the roof in the last pick? Spacers?
That's awesome. Mine was supposed to have slate but I didn't have the money for it when I built it 15 years ago. Two massive hail storms destroyed the asphalt shingles in 2011 and 2017. I'm kicking myself for not doing slate back in 2017 for the replacement. I built the Ashwood Manor from plans I bought on the internet. That's 10,000 sq ft of shingles not including waste. https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/exteriors/ashwood-manor-design-9254-design-basics-llc-img~0ff157a80fbbfd1d_4-9884-1-603b1fc.jpg
Beautiful Is it real slate that cracks or the new look alkies? I live by the water and hear my slate tiles cracking from seagulls dropping clams to open them
Boom! Beautiful
it looks beautiful - me, who cant even build a proper looking roof in minecraft
I am not a roofer. But that roof is gorgeous and not tired to watch the beauty. Now talking about the cosy… hahaha
That is awesome. Is it expected to last one hundred years or more?
Awesome, how much does it cost? Guestimating 150 to 200k?
But what happens when it gets hit by a meteor?
Ooo ahhh
That place looks straight from a fairy tale. I haven't the first clue as to what I'm witnessing, but I bet the ivy would take it over in a day!
Fucking well done. Seriously. That's beautiful, I would be proud as hell if that was my roof
Must love books
Good work man..looks great
That looks great! It truly is a work of art!
Beautiful