Funny thing, I always thought metal would be a no-brainer, but after seeing my buddy’s place near the coast get those rusty streaks, I’m not so sure anymore. And yeah, matching broken tiles is a pain—my neighbor’s roof looks like a patchwork quilt now after last spring’s hail. Has anyone here tried those synthetic slate shingles? Curious if they actually hold up in big storms or just look nice for a while...
Has anyone here tried those synthetic slate shingles? Curious if they actually hold up in big storms or just look nice for a while...
Seen a few installs with synthetic slate, mostly on newer builds around here. They look sharp, but I’ve noticed some edges curling after our last windstorm. Not as bad as asphalt, but not bulletproof either. Maintenance is easier though, and you don’t get the tile-matching headache. Just keep in mind, they’re not immune to flying debris—had a client with a branch punch right through one. For coastal spots, they definitely beat rusty metal, but nothing’s totally hassle-free.
That’s interesting about the curling edges—didn’t expect that with synthetic slate. I’m in a spot where we get a lot of hail and heavy rain, so I’ve been looking at different options too. The idea of not having to hunt down matching tiles if something gets damaged is appealing, but I keep wondering how these synthetics actually compare to real slate or even concrete tile in terms of impact resistance. Has anyone had to deal with insurance claims after storm damage on synthetic roofs? I’m curious if adjusters treat them more like asphalt or if they’re considered a premium material when it comes to payouts.
Also, does anyone know how these hold up in terms of fading or discoloration over time? I’ve seen some composite materials get patchy after a few years in the sun, and I’d rather not end up with a roof that looks tired before its time.
My neighbor put on synthetic slate last year and we just had a gnarly hailstorm—her roof looked way better than my old asphalt. No cracks or dents, just a couple of scuffed spots. She mentioned her insurance adjuster called it “comparable to premium asphalt” for the claim, so not quite the same as real slate, but definitely not treated like the cheap stuff. As for fading, I’ve seen some older ones around here (hot summers, lots of sun) and they do get a bit duller after a few years, but nothing super patchy. I’d say it’s more like a gentle fade than weird blotches.
That lines up with what I’ve seen around here too. We had a synthetic slate roof put on our garage about five years back—main house is still old asphalt—and after a couple of hailstorms, the difference is pretty obvious. The synthetic stuff just shrugs off most of the damage, while the asphalt gets those little craters and cracks. I do notice the color’s a bit less vibrant now, but it’s more like a matte finish than anything ugly. Honestly, if I could swing the cost, I’d redo the whole house with it.
