Slate Roofing Contractor Utah | Best Roofing Utah

For the most discerning homeowners who demand nothing less than the absolute best, a natural slate roof represents the pinnacle of roofing artistry, durability, and prestige. Slate is a natural stone forged by the earth over millions of years, offering a level of performance and beauty that simply cannot be replicated. At Best Roofing Utah, we are master craftsmen and certified slate roofing contractors with the rare expertise required to install, repair, and restore these magnificent roofing systems.

Installing a slate roof is the ultimate long-term investment in your home’s legacy. It is an heirloom roof, providing a century or more of unmatched protection and timeless, sophisticated beauty for Utah’s finest custom, luxury, and historic homes.

The Unmatched Quality of Natural Slate Roofing

Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock that is quarried and hand-split into thin tiles. Each piece is unique, with subtle variations in color and texture that create a rich, layered appearance on the roof.

• Hard Slate vs. Soft Slate (S-1 Grade): We exclusively work with S-1 Grade hard slate, which is the highest quality available under ASTM standards. This signifies that the slate is dense, non-absorbent, and will last for over 75-100 years. “Soft slate” is more porous and less suitable for weathering Utah’s demanding climate.
• A Spectrum of Natural Colors: Slate comes in a variety of natural colors, including shades of gray, black, green, purple, and red. Over time, some slates will retain their original color (“unfading”), while others will weather to new, beautiful earth tones (“weathering”). We can also create custom blends of different colors for a truly unique, bespoke roof.

Why Choose a Natural Slate Roof for Your Utah Home?

A slate roof is the gold standard of roofing materials, offering a suite of benefits that justify its premium status.

• The Century Roof – Unbeatable Longevity: A professionally installed hard slate roof can last 100 to 200 years. It is not just a “lifetime” roof; it is a permanent feature of your home that will likely outlast the structure itself, making it a wise investment for generations.
• Naturally Waterproof & Durable: Slate has an extremely low water absorption rate, making it completely waterproof. It is exceptionally resistant to damage from hail, high winds, and Utah’s severe freeze-thaw cycles.
• Completely Fireproof: As a natural stone, slate is non-combustible and carries the highest possible Class A fire rating. This provides the ultimate peace of mind, especially for homes in Utah’s canyons, mountains, or wildfire-prone areas.
• Timeless Beauty & Prestige: A slate roof provides an iconic, elegant look that adds significant value and distinction to any property. Its beauty is classic and will never go out of style, making it a key feature of luxury real estate.
• Environmentally Friendly: Slate is a 100% natural material, involving no chemical manufacturing processes. Its incredible longevity also means far less roofing material ends up in landfills over the centuries.

Our Master Slate Roofing Services

Working with slate is a highly specialized craft that demands years of experience and a deep respect for the material. Our Licensed & Insured crews are among the few true slate roofing experts in Utah.

• Slate Roof Installation: Proper slate installation is an art form. It requires specialized tools and techniques, from punching the nail holes to carefully overlapping each course. We use only high-quality, non-corroding fasteners like copper or stainless steel and premium copper flashing to ensure every component lasts as long as the slate itself.
• Slate Roof Repair: We are experts at slate roof leak detection and repair. We can carefully remove and replace broken or missing slates using a slate ripper and hook, ensuring a seamless and permanent fix without damaging the surrounding tiles. We can address issues from ice dam damage to “nail sickness” on historic roofs.
• Slate Roof Restoration & Maintenance: For historic homes, we offer professional restoration services to preserve and extend the life of an existing slate roof. Our maintenance includes replacing damaged slates, inspecting all flashing, and ensuring the entire system remains in perfect condition. Slate roof preservation is key to protecting these historic assets.

Structural Considerations for Slate Roofing

A key factor in any slate roof project is weight. Slate is the heaviest roofing material available.

• Structural Assessment: Before any installation, a structural engineer must be consulted to verify that your home’s framing can support the immense weight of a slate roof. This is a mandatory step for safety and compliance that we can help coordinate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slate Roofing

Is a slate roof expensive?

Yes. A slate roof is one of the most expensive roofing options available due to the high cost of the material and the specialized labor required for installation. The cost of a slate roof can be several times that of a high-end asphalt shingle roof. However, its incredible longevity makes it a sound long-term investment.

Can you walk on a slate roof?

Absolutely not, unless you are a trained slate roofing professional. Improper footfall will easily crack and break the slate tiles, causing significant damage.

How do you repair a single broken slate?

Our craftsmen use specialized tools called a slate hammer and a slate ripper. The ripper is used to cut the nails holding the broken slate, which is then removed. A new slate is slid into place and secured with a “slate hook” or a copper nail, a technique that doesn’t require removing any surrounding slates.

What is the underlayment on a slate roof and why is it important?

The underlayment is a critical waterproofing membrane installed beneath the slate. While the slate itself is waterproof, the underlayment provides a secondary layer of protection. On older roofs, the underlayment can fail before the slate does. We use modern, high-performance underlayments designed to last for many decades.

What causes a slate roof to fail?

A properly installed hard slate roof rarely “fails.” The most common issues arise from the failure of other components, such as the underlayment deteriorating, the original iron nails rusting away (“nail sickness”), or damage from improper repairs or foot traffic.

The Ultimate Investment in Your Home’s Future

A natural slate roof is a testament to quality and a legacy for generations to come. Trust the master roofers at Best Roofing Utah to deliver an installation worthy of this extraordinary material.

Contact us today at +1-(877)-540-6523 or visit us at bestroofingutah.net to schedule your Free Inspection & Estimate and to discuss a slate roofing project.

Proudly Serving Communities Across Utah

Best Roofing Utah is headquartered in Salt Lake City and we are proud to provide expert roofing services to homes and businesses throughout the region. If you don’t see your town listed, give us a call! Our primary service areas include: