Slate Roof Cost Guide

We’ve prepared this guide to give you an idea of the slate roof cost as well as discuss other factors that you would need to consider. It also outlines the process of installing a slate roof and discusses the different slat roofing types you can consider. 

The prices of building materials have been soaring lately and it’s therefore important to note that though these pricing estimates were accurate at the time of publishing, its purpose is to only serve as a guide and not to determine the final cost.

Slate is a natural roofing material that’s been used for many years. It’s made from slate rock, which means it’s heavy and can be quite a difficult process to install. But if you manage the installation correctly, there are several benefits of installing slate tiles on your home.

Given its several advantages, the slates can be quite expensive. Natural slates tend to be more expensive than synthetic ones because they’re harder to manufacture; however, prices can vary so much between brands so it’s best not to make an assumption about how much each type costs without doing some research first.

Slate roof cost guide

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Slate Roof?

The slate roofing cost depends on various factors, including the size of your home’s roof and the materials used. For instance, in general, slate roof prices can range between £40 to £80 per square metre whereas  imported slates will be less expensive than domestic slates, such as Spanish slates which can range between £25 – £35 per square metre. Slate from Brazil and China are two of the most affordable options.

Additionally, the pitch of the roof can also affect the cost of slate roofing. In particular, steep roofs may require additional support for the roofer that is laying the slates. In such instances, you may need to hire scaffolds as well which can add to the cost.

Depending on the location of the property, the slate roofing cost can vary too. Some areas of the UK are more expensive than others. For instance, the cost of installing a slate roof is comparatively less expensive than London.

JobAverage Cost
Slate roof£60 – £70 per m2
Spanish slate£25 – £35 per m2

It’s important to note that slates don’t come in standard sizes like shingles do—it comes as squares that need custom cutting—so there may be additional charges involved if yours don’t fit perfectly together once installed. 

Some homeowners opt against having them professionally installed because they aren’t very labour intensive; however since this process requires special tools such as angle grinders, some DIY’ers might find themselves short on time spent actually working rather than preparing materials for installation.

Supply Cost of Slate Roofing Installation

The supply costs of a slate roof installation will include the cost of the slate tiles, which are available in many different sizes, shapes, and colours. You would need to choose the best type of roofing tiles that fit your requirements. Get in touch with our professional roofing team to learn more on this.

They can help you choose the right ones for your home. It’s also possible that some people might be able to use the same type of material as their neighbours if they want their roofs to match up; however this isn’t always possible due to factors such as access or structural differences within individual properties. 

A single slate would cost around £1 – £4 on average, depending on the type of slate you choose for your roof. However, the cost per slate would come drastically down if you buy a bulk. On average, this would amount to approximately £310 – £340 for 192 slates. But, this amount is likely to change giving supply chain conditions.

A ridge piece that holds the slates together would cost around £8 – £16 per metre.

A roofing membrane would also be needed to place on the roof before installation which would cost £45 – £125 on average.

There are few other supplies such as roof batten that costs £8 – £15 per batten.

If you don’t have any experience with roofing work then it’s probably worth hiring a professional roofer who has plenty of experience installing slates on buildings all over England!

Additional Costs of Installing a Slate Roof

The main installation cost of a slate roof will be the labour. Labour costs depend on the size of your home and how many workers you need to complete the job. The more complicated your roof is, the more money you’ll spend on installation. In addition to labour costs, there are a few other expenses that might be associated with installing a slate roof

Slate Roof Roof Repair Cost

You’re probably thinking to yourself, “I know how to fix a leak. It’s not that difficult!” But when you have a slate roof, repairs are much more complicated than a rainy day project.

The first thing you should do is hire a professional for any repair work on your slate roof. Slate roofs often require professional tools and equipment that homeowners may not have access to, so hiring an experienced contractor will save time and money in the long run. 

Depending on the extent of the slate roof repair, the cost can vary. For example, damaged tiles will range from £200 and £600, while re-pointing ridge tiles will cost between £250 and £750.

Before contacting contractors for quotes, understand what factors influence the cost of repairing or replacing your slate roof:

  • The size of the area damaged by water infiltration (if applicable)
  • The extent of damage caused by water infiltration (if applicable)
  • The type of damage caused by water infiltration

Chimney Breast Removal

Removing the chimney breast involves removing the fireplace, surround, flue and liner. The damp-proof course needs to be removed as well. The following steps need to be taken for this job:

  • Shut off power at breaker box
  • Remove fireplace flue and liner from chimney stack
  • Remove fireplace surround (if fitted with one)
  • Remove fireplace mantelpiece or overmantel (if fitted with one)
  • Remove any fire bricks or refractory bricks that were used in construction of chimney stack (if desired)

Removing the chimney breast downstairs will cost between £1,500 and £2,500, while removing a first-floor chimney breast ranges from £1,600 to £2,200.

The cost of removing a chimney breast but leaving the stack is around £2,300 to £2,800, while the cost of removing everything including the chimney breast and the stack is approximately £2,900 to £4,000.

Soffits and Fascias

The labour cost of removing/replacing soffits and fascias can cost around £250 – £350 while the average cost of fixing one could range between £1,200 to £5,000 depending on the size of the property. 

Guttering

To ensure that your slates are properly protected, it is essential to install guttering before the slates are laid. This will also help prevent water from pouring directly onto your home’s walls, which can cause damp and rot.

Guttering is usually made from cast iron and painted white for aesthetic purposes. It is then installed on the fascia board, which sits at the top of a wall and runs along both sides of the roofline where you find gutters in most modern homes today. 

Installing PVC guttering on a house in the UK costs between £400 and £700. It can cost more if you opt for aluminium, steel, cast iron or copper which can be in the range of £600, £750, £1,000 and £1,500 respectively.

Scaffolding Hire

Scaffolding hire is one of the most common expenses associated with replacing or installing a slate roof. If you need to hire scaffolding, you’ll find that the cost ranges between £200 to £300 per day depending on the type, ease of access and the number of days you need scaffolding for.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Slate Roof?

Slate roofs can take anywhere from a week to a month, depending on the size of your roof and which company you hire. Slate is heavy and difficult to handle, so it’s best if only one or two people work at a time rather than a whole crew.

Most slate roofs are assembled during the summer months as this is when there’s less rain and snow, which would damage slate shingles as they’re being installed. Some companies might be able to complete your project in winter if it’s insulated well enough, but this will cost more money because you’ll need extra materials such as plywood or plastic sheeting over top of your existing roofing material before installing slates onto them (which could easily add up into thousands upon thousands of dollars).

Types of Slate Roof

There are many types of slate roof that can be installed on your home. Here are some of the most popular options.

Natural Slate Roof Tiles

These are the most expensive type of slate, but they also have the longest lifespan and will last for decades without needing to be replaced. They are a natural product, and they’re durable enough to last for more than 100 years. 

Slate roofs are also lightweight and easy to install, which makes the cost of slate roof installation affordable. They come in a wide range of colours and textures, so you can choose one that matches your existing home design or adds variety to the exterior look. These qualities make slate roofs an excellent choice for a modern house but also work well for traditional homes as well.

The only downside to natural slates is that they’ll need regular maintenance to keep them looking good for years—but if this doesn’t sound like too much work for you, then go ahead and order some today!

Fibre Cement Slates

Fibre cement is a composite material made from cement and cellulose fibre (often wood fibres). It’s cheaper than natural slate, but still carries the appearance of real stone.

It’s a good choice for modern, contemporary homes; with its wide colour range it can add contrast to your home’s exterior.

Spanish Slate Cost

Spanish slate is a beautiful material, and it’s a popular choice for slate roofs. It has a natural look that will complement any home or property.

As stated above, Spanish slate comes in many colours: black, green, blue and grey are the most popular. You can also choose between smooth slates (with no visible grain) or rustic slates (with visible grain). While rustic slates may cost more than smooth ones at first glance, they’re actually less expensive since they don’t require as much maintenance over time.

Brazilian Slate

Brazilian slate is a type of roofing stone that comes from Brazil.. It is a very durable material and can be used on both residential and commercial roofs alike. 

The cost of a Brazilian slate roof will vary depending on the size of your home, but it’s important to understand that these materials are more expensive than other types.

Man-made Roof Slate

Man-made roof slates are made of a composite material that is less expensive than natural slate. They are more durable than natural slate and often used for roofing and cladding.

Recycled Roof Slate

Recycled slate is a great option for all parties involved in a roofing project. It is better for the environment, better for homeowners and contractors, and even more cost-effective than new slate.

Slate is one of the most recycled building materials on Earth, with an estimated 95% of it being reused or recycled. Since it can be re-cut into new slates and used over again, there’s no need to strip away layers of old shingles or tear up old roofs so they can be replaced with new ones. 

Instead, recycled slates are salvaged from decommissioned roofs and used in newer buildings (or even just repurposed). This helps reduce landfill waste while keeping materials out of landfills entirely—a win-win situation for everyone!

Recycled slate is also good for homeowners: Homeowners who love classic architecture may want their home’s look preserved without having to replace all its original features with brand new ones that might not match or fit as well once installed anyway. 

By using reclaimed roofing material instead of brand new shingles made specifically for current styles/designs/etceteras today makes it easier since these recycled products will likely look like any other roof on your street—and probably better if you’re trying hard enough anyway!

Benefits of a Slate Roof

A slate roof is a great option because it has many benefits:

  • Durability: Slate roofs are durable and long-lasting. Unlike asphalt shingles, slates can last for more than 100 years without any replacement necessary.
  • Energy efficiency: Slate roofs are extremely energy efficient and have greater insulation values than most other types of roofing materials. This means that you don’t have to worry about your home heating up in the summer or cooling down in the winter as much as you would if it had another type of material on top of it!
  • Environmental friendliness: Slate roofs are also environmentally friendly because they help protect against cold weather by keeping snow from melting quickly on your home during springtime thawing periods (which causes water damage). Plus, they keep out rain and wind that can blow debris onto your house which can cause structural damage over time!

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Slate Roof?

The cost of removing a slate roof will vary depending on the size of the job, but you can expect it to be anywhere from £900 to £1,600 per square. As such, a complete replacement of a slate roof could cost around £12,000. Individual roof slate replacement will be significantly less expensive.

Remember that you may need to replace some damaged wood framing and other pieces that have been affected by water damage or general wear and tear.

Are Slate Roofs Worth It?

Slate roofs are one of the most cost-effective ways to install a new roof on your home in the long run. They are also a great way to add value and curb appeal to your property. Slate is not only beautiful, but also strong and durable as well. 

It’s no wonder that so many homeowners choose slate tiles over other types of materials or tiles that may be less expensive, but don’t last as long! If you want to dig deeper on how much a slate roof costs, then please visit our slate roofing page or contact us for a free quote today!

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SPS Roofing Ltd is a highly rated roofing company based in Exeter operating across Devon and South West England including Somerset, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset.