Slate Roof Cost Per Square Foot

Real slate roofs cost $10 to $30 per square foot on average to purchase and install. That comes to $5,000 to $50,000 total with some reports of $100,000 or more. Some homeowners have reported prices nearing $80 per square foot, which likely includes freight, materials and installation for a high-end, complex install. It’s one of the most durable materials you can find, lasting anywhere from 50 to 200 years with proper maintenance. The cost per square foot depends on the type of slate you want:

• Hard slate: $20-$30 per square foot. Lasts 100 to 200 years.
• Soft slate: $10-$20 per square foot. Lasts 50 to 125 years.
• Synthetic slate: $5-$10 per square foot. Lifespan varies.

Slate Roof Price Per Square

Slate roof shingles cost $1,500 per square on average. They range from $1,000 to $3,000 per square. Synthetic slate costs $400 to $1,000 per square. You’ll often find roofing tiles sold per square. Each square is 100 square feet.

Slate Roof Tile Prices

Slate prices range from $5 to $15 per square foot for the materials alone. Your installer can likely purchase slate roof tiles at a discounted price from what most homeowners pay. Plus, they’ll know which type works best for your budget and home because of their expertise and experience.

Natural slate tiles harvested from the earth are a premium product in limited supply. They also come in different categories — hard and soft — and in several colors, shapes, and sizes.

Synthetic Slate Roofing Cost vs. Natural Slate

You’ll pay half as much for synthetic slate as you would for natural slate tiles. But it depends a bit on which material choice you go with, which we’ll discuss in detail below.

Synthetic Slate Roofs

Synthetic slate roofs cost $5 to $10 per square foot, depending on your material choice. They generally cost about half as much as natural slate. You can choose synthetic slate look from a variety of sources, including:

• Fiber Cement Roofing: $5-$12 per square foot
• Asphalt Shingles Cost: $3-$6 per square foot
• Metal Shingles Cost: $7-$14 per square foot
• Composite or Recycled Shingles: $3-$16 per square foot

Slate Roof Installation Cost

Labor costs $5 to $15 per square foot or $50 to $100 per hour. It’s a labor-intensive project that requires specialized knowledge, skills and experience. It’ll take about 10 to 12 hours to install one square of natural stone. For synthetic slate, you’ll pay only $3 to $5 per square foot, about the same as any asphalt, metal or composite roof.

Installing a slate roof is not as simple as installing an asphalt shingle roof, as there are several specialized tools and skills needed. It is also a tedious process that can take anywhere from three months to a year for larger, more intricate roofs.

Cost to Replace a Slate Roof

In addition to the $10 to $30 per square foot to install a new roof, you’ll pay $2 to $5 per square foot to tear off the old roof. Disposal fees cost extra and vary by location – contact your local landfill or contractor for specific fees. Optionally, you can rent a dumpster or have your pro do it. Dumpster rentals cost $300 to $500.

Additional Material Costs to Install a Slate Roof

Additional materials cost $2 to $5 per square foot, depending on what your roof needs. Your pro includes these costs in your quote. Important steps and materials include

• Bituminous membrane
• Weather shield
• Copper flashings and nails
• Structural reinforcement
• Sheathing

DIY Slate Roof Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

Unless you’re a professional roofer with slate installation experience, don’t DIY this project. Without proper knowledge and experience, a DIY job at best won’t work, and at worst, can cause catastrophic damage to your home.

Even among roofers, slate is a specialized skill. Not only will you want to skip the DIY choice, but you’ll also want to carefully interview and select a local slate roof installer with a portfolio of successful jobs. Always get quotes from at least three professionals, check their ratings and carefully inspect their past work. Never hire a roofer without slate installation experience.

FAQs

What’s the difference between synthetic slate vs. asphalt?

Real slate comes from natural stone. Synthetic slate comes from various sources made to look like slate, like recycled rubber, metal, asphalt and fiber cement.

What is synthetic slate made of?

Synthetic slate is made from a variety of post-industrial products, including plastics, rubber, cellulose, mineral dust and other recycled content. You can also find lookalike products made from fiber cement, metal and asphalt.

How long do slate roofs last?

Real slate lasts 50 to 200 years. Soft slate lasts half as long as hard slate or about 50 to 125 years.

Are slate roofs worth it?

Slate roofs are worth it for historical homes or those in areas with other slate or high-end roofing materials. You’ll receive an ROI of approximately 85%. Plus, it’s more environmentally responsible since it’s both a natural material and lasts up to 200 years. Its long lifespan keeps it out of landfills. In fact, the waste of asphalt roofs, which only last between 20 and 30 years at best, accounts for up to five percent of all landfill material in the United States.

Why don't you might not want to install a slate roof?

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to a slate roof, one of which is cost. It can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, at least five times that of an asphalt roof installation. Finding an experienced slater is another concern. They take far longer to install than other roofing systems. They also require your home to have additional structural support to hold up the added weight.