Interesting to hear how your synthetic slate held up after those storms—especially in north Texas, where hail can get pretty wild. I’ve inspected a few roofs with both real and synthetic slate around here, and you’re right about the weight difference making a big impact on older homes. Sometimes, I wonder if folks realize how much stress traditional slate can put on rafters that weren’t designed for it.
I’m curious about the installation side of things. Did you notice if your installer used any sort of special underlayment or fasteners with your synthetic tiles? I’ve seen some manufacturers require specific products to maintain warranty coverage, especially in areas prone to wind-driven rain or hail. Also, have you noticed any fading or color changes over the years? Some synthetics seem to handle UV exposure better than others, but I’ve come across a few that start looking chalky after a while.
One thing that’s always tricky is balancing initial cost against long-term durability. Real slate is pricey upfront, but repairs add up fast if you’re in a storm-prone area. Synthetic seems like a decent compromise, provided it’s installed right... but I’m still not sure how well some of these newer materials will look after 20+ years.