Slate vs Alternatives
Why natural slate is still king
Slate isn’t the only roofing, flooring and cladding material out there. In fact, over the decades, a whole range of alternatives have emerged and tried to take its crown. But natural slate is still the longest-lasting, best-looking, and, over time, by far the most cost-effective.
Interested in using natural slate as your roofing material of choice? Have a browse of our brochure to find out more.
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Incomparable aesthetics and the strength to last a lifetime
Man-made materials might have a lower upfront cost, but none come close to matching the timeless looks of pristine natural slate – and what’s more, slate alternatives like fibre cement, concrete and clay tiles will need replacing several times during the 100-year lifespan of quality natural slate.
Lifetime cost of slate
Fibre cement tiles cost around £18 per square metre, around £15 per square metre to install, and last approximately 30 years. That equals a cost of £1.10 a year per square metre.
Clay tiles cost around £40 per square metre, £15 to install, and last 40 years, equalling £1.25 per square metre.
At SSQ, our standard natural slates cost £22 per square metre, around £20 per square metre to install, and last 50 years – resulting in a total life-cycle cost of 84p per metre.
But our premium slate delivers the lowest of all – the material itself costs £45 per square metre, the labour costs around £15, and it can last 100 years if not longer. That equals a life-cycle cost of just 60p per metre.
Get a free quoteSlate’s green credentials
When it comes to embodied carbon – in effect, a material’s carbon footprint – natural slate is the clear winner.
Concrete tiles create 0.19kg of CO² per kilogram.
Clay tiles are worse – they produce 0.43kg per kilo.
Natural slate, however, contains far less – between 0.005-0.054kg per kilo.
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All natural slate
Natural slate requires remarkably little processing. The slate is quarried with low-power electric diamond cutters, and a lot of the splitting is still done by hand. Manufacturing other materials is a lot more industrial. To make clay tiles, for example, kilns are kept burning 24 hours a day, with inevitable impacts on the environment.
How much is Spanish slate UK?
Spanish slate is a roofing material that is well-liked in the UK and Ireland due to its exceptional quality and durability. The material cost of Spanish slate varies depending on its quality, size, and thickness. In contrast, fibre cement tiles cost about £18 per square metre and have an installation cost of around £15 per square metre. These tiles have a lifespan of around 30 years, resulting in an annual cost of approximately £1.10 per square metre.
On the other hand, clay tiles cost around £40 per square metre, with an installation cost of £15 per square metre and they last for 40 years. This translates to an annual cost of about £1.25 per square metre. Spanish slate can last up to 100 years or more, resulting in an annual cost as low as 25p per square metre.
Contact usBrowse our range of natural slates
