I get the appeal of lighter synthetic slate, especially if you’ve got an old house with questionable rafters. But does anyone else worry about how these composites actually age? I’ve seen a few roofs where the color held up, but the edges started curling after a decade or so. Maybe that’s just bad installation, but it makes me wonder if “lighter” sometimes means “less sturdy.” Anyone had issues with hail or wind tearing them up? I’m in the Midwest, so that’s always on my mind.
I totally get where you’re coming from, especially with Midwest weather—hail and wind are no joke. I’ve seen synthetic slate hold up surprisingly well, but I’ve also noticed that edge curling thing you mentioned. Sometimes it’s install, but sometimes I wonder if the material just reacts weird to big temperature swings. Have you looked into brands with impact ratings? Some are made from recycled rubber and seem to bounce back better after hail, but I haven’t lived with one long-term yet...
Sometimes it’s install, but sometimes I wonder if the material just reacts weird to big temperature swings.
Yeah, I’ve seen that edge curling too, especially after a couple of those wild freeze-thaw cycles. Some brands seem to handle it better than others, but honestly, even the “impact rated” ones can get a little funky if they’re not nailed down just right. Midwest weather keeps us all on our toes... I’ve had a few customers swear by the rubber-based stuff after hail, though. It’s lighter for sure, but I still tell folks to check the warranty fine print—some of those impact ratings sound better than they actually are.