Did you know synthetic slate can actually be lighter than real stone?

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.

- Noticed the same thing with edge curling, especially after last winter’s freeze-thaw rollercoaster.
- I picked synthetic slate partly because of the weight - my roof structure wasn’t built for real stone.
- Install seemed straightforward, but I did see a few spots where the edges wanted to lift. Maybe installer error, maybe just how the material flexes with temp swings?
- Warranty language was confusing. “Impact rated” sounds good, but when I dug into the details, hail coverage was pretty limited.
- I went with a rubber-based option too. It’s definitely lighter, but I’m still watching to see how it holds up after a couple more seasons.
- Midwest weather is brutal on roofs. I’m hoping the synthetic stuff won’t get brittle over time, but honestly, I’m not 100% convinced yet.
- Anyone else notice a difference in noise during heavy rain? Mine’s a bit louder than I expected, but maybe that’s just how it goes with lighter materials...

Edge curling’s a pain, especially after those wild temp swings we had. I’ve seen it mostly where the fasteners were a bit off or the underlayment wasn’t totally flat. The noise thing - yeah, lighter materials seem to amplify rain more, at least in my experience. Curious if anyone’s tried adding an extra insulation layer underneath to help with both sound and thermal movement? Wondering if that’d help with the brittleness down the line too...