Slate Roofing in Northern Virginia

No roofing material says permanence quite like slate. Its natural stone texture, rich colors, and crisp lines have crowned stately homes, churches, and landmarks for centuries, and a well-built slate roof can protect a home for generations. For Northern Virginia homeowners who want the timeless look of slate, there are now two paths: genuine quarried stone and high-performance synthetic slate that captures the same appearance at a fraction of the weight.

Style Roofing is a CertainTeed Symphony Slate Certified Installer and an EcoStar Certified Installer, and our family-owned company has been roofing homes across Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties since 1992. We will help you decide whether natural or synthetic slate is right for your home, your structure, and your budget, and then install it with the care slate demands.

Dreaming of a slate roof? Call (703) 754-9906 or request your free roof inspection and estimate.

Natural Slate Roofing

Natural slate is a dense metamorphic rock formed over millions of years from layers of clay and silt. Quarried blocks are split by hand along the stone’s natural cleavage into thin roofing slates, so no two pieces are exactly alike. In North America, roofing slate comes primarily from Vermont and New York, Pennsylvania, and right here in Virginia, where Buckingham slate has been quarried for generations. Imported slate from Spain, Brazil, and other countries is also widely available.

Slate Grades and Quality

Not all slate is equal. The ASTM C406 standard classifies roofing slate by expected service life: Grade S1 slate is rated for more than 75 years, Grade S2 for 40 to 75 years, and Grade S3 for 20 to 40 years. Hard slates from established quarries can last well beyond a century, while softer slates wear out sooner. We help you understand exactly what you are buying, because the quarry and grade you choose have as much to do with the life of your roof as anything else.

Slate Colors

Slate comes in a range of natural colors, including gray, black, green, purple, red, and mottled blends. Slates are also described as unfading, meaning they hold their color for decades, or weathering, meaning they develop warm, softened tones as they age. Blending colors and sizes lets you create a roof that is truly one of a kind.

Synthetic Slate Roofing

Synthetic slate, also called composite slate, is engineered from polymer and recycled rubber and plastic materials, then molded from real slate to capture authentic texture and variation. It gives you the look of a slate roof without the weight, cost, or fragility of stone, which makes it a practical choice for homes that were never built to carry natural slate.

As a certified installer of both CertainTeed Symphony Slate and EcoStar synthetic slate, Style Roofing is trained in the specific installation requirements these products need to perform and to qualify for their manufacturer warranties. Synthetic slate offers:

• A fraction of the weight of natural stone, so most homes need no structural reinforcement
• Impact resistance, with many products rated to the highest UL 2218 Class 4 level for hail
• Class A fire ratings for many products when installed as specified
• Lower installed cost than natural slate
• Consistent performance with less breakage during installation and when other trades need to access the roof
• Sustainable content, since many synthetic slate products use recycled materials

Want a slate appearance at the lowest cost? Designer asphalt shingles such as CertainTeed Highland Slate offer a slate-inspired look with the strong warranty options of our asphalt shingle roofing.

Benefits of a Slate Roof

• Unmatched beauty and prestige. Slate delivers a distinguished, architectural look that elevates any home and can enhance its value.
• Extraordinary lifespan. Quality natural slate can last a century or more, and synthetic slate is built for decades of service.
• Fire resistance. Natural slate is noncombustible stone, and many synthetic slates also carry Class A fire ratings.
• Weather durability. Slate stands up to wind, rain, and Northern Virginia’s freeze-thaw cycles. Natural slate absorbs very little water, which helps it resist frost damage.
• Low maintenance. Slate does not rot, curl, or grow moss the way some materials can.
• Sustainability. A roof that lasts generations keeps tons of roofing waste out of landfills, and synthetic slates often use recycled content.

What to Consider Before Choosing Slate

• Weight and structure. Natural slate commonly weighs roughly 800 to 1,500 pounds per 100 square feet depending on thickness, several times the weight of asphalt shingles. Many homes need a structural evaluation, and some need reinforcement, before natural slate can be installed. Synthetic slate avoids this concern on most homes.
• Cost. Natural slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials to buy and install. Its value comes from its exceptionally long life.
• Specialized installation. Slate requires skills and techniques most roofers do not use every day. Choosing an experienced, qualified installer matters more with slate than with almost any other roof.
• Foot traffic. Natural slate can crack if walked on improperly, so gutter cleaners, chimney sweeps, and solar installers need to take special care.
• HOA and historic guidelines. Slate and quality synthetic slate are welcome in most communities, but check your HOA’s requirements first. Our article on new roofs and homeowners associations explains the process.

How We Install Slate Roofs

A slate roof is only as good as the system that holds it in place. The slates themselves often outlast the fasteners and flashing around them, so we build every slate roof with components designed to last as long as the roofing material:

• A structural review of the roof framing and deck before installation, especially for natural slate
• A full tear-off down to the deck, with replacement of any damaged sheathing
• Ice and water protection at eaves, valleys, and penetrations, with quality underlayment across the deck
• Correct headlap and exposure for the slate size and roof pitch
• Long-lasting copper or stainless steel fasteners for natural slate, and manufacturer-specified fasteners for synthetic slate
• Durable copper or other long-life metal flashing at valleys, chimneys, walls, and skylights
• Snow guards to control snow and ice sliding off the roof where needed
• Balanced attic ventilation to protect the roof deck and control attic temperatures

Ventilation and insulation work hand in hand. Learn more about the benefits of attic insulation.

Why Northern Virginia Homeowners Choose Style Roofing

• Certified synthetic slate installer. Style Roofing is a CertainTeed Symphony Slate Certified Installer and an EcoStar Certified Installer.
• CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster. CertainTeed’s highest contractor credential, which also covers slate-look designer shingles. See our warranties and credentials.
• Family owned and operated since 1992. More than three decades of Northern Virginia roofing experience and over 9,000 satisfied customers.
• High volume, high standards. More than 750 Northern Virginia roofing projects completed last year.
• Our own 10-year workmanship warranty on every full roof replacement.
• Honest, material-neutral advice. We install natural and synthetic slate, asphalt, cedar, and metal, so we recommend what is truly right for your home. See our roofing manufacturers and partners.
• Top-rated and accredited. Class A licensed, BBB accredited, and consistently recognized by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, Best Pick Reports, and GuildQuality. Read our roofing reviews.

“Thank you very much for your superior service to us regarding our new roof. It was truly a pleasure to be served by excellence! Above and beyond!”

Margi G., Style Roofing customer

Still weighing materials? Compare slate with our cedar shake roofing and metal roofing options.

Slate Roofing Throughout Northern Virginia

From our headquarters in Gainesville and our office in McLean, we install natural and synthetic slate roofs across Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and into Montgomery County, Maryland, including McLean, Vienna, Arlington, Fairfax, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Aldie, Round Hill, Gainesville, Haymarket, and Montgomery County. View our full service area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slate Roofs

How long does a slate roof last?

High-quality natural slate can last 75 to 100 years or more, depending on the quarry, grade, and installation. Synthetic slate is typically designed for about 50 years of service. The fasteners, flashing, and underlayment must be built to last as long as the slate for the roof to reach its full potential.

How much does a slate roof cost?

Natural slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials to buy and install, and synthetic slate costs less while still costing more than asphalt shingles. The final price depends on your roof’s size, pitch, and complexity, the product you choose, and whether any structural work is needed. Style Roofing provides free inspections and detailed written estimates.

Can my house support a slate roof?

Natural slate is very heavy, and many homes need a structural evaluation, and sometimes reinforcement, before it can be installed. Synthetic slate is far lighter and can be installed on most homes without structural changes.

What is synthetic slate and how does it compare to natural slate?

Synthetic slate is engineered from polymer and recycled materials and molded to look like real slate. It weighs much less, costs less, resists impact well, and is less likely to break underfoot. Natural slate lasts longer and offers the authenticity of real stone. Style Roofing is a certified installer of CertainTeed Symphony Slate and EcoStar synthetic slate.

Is a slate roof fire resistant?

Yes. Natural slate is noncombustible stone, and many synthetic slate products also carry a Class A fire rating when installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Can you walk on a slate roof?

Natural slate can crack if walked on improperly, so anyone working on the roof, including gutter cleaners, chimney sweeps, and solar installers, should use proper techniques and equipment. Synthetic slate is much more resistant to breakage from foot traffic.

Will my HOA approve a slate or synthetic slate roof?

Slate and quality synthetic slate are approved in most Northern Virginia communities because of their upscale, traditional appearance. Requirements vary, so check your HOA’s guidelines before you begin. We are happy to provide the product details your HOA needs for its review.

Schedule Your Free Slate Roof Estimate

Whether you want the authenticity of natural stone or the practical performance of synthetic slate, Style Roofing will help you make the right choice and install a roof built to last for generations. Call (703) 754-9906 or request your free roof inspection and estimate today. Still comparing materials? Explore all of our roofing types.