I still wonder how it’ll look in 20 years. Some of the older installs I’ve seen get a bit brittle in the cold, too.
I get what you mean about the brittleness. Up here in Ontario, we see some wild freeze/thaw cycles, and I’ve noticed certain brands of synthetic slate hold up better than others. The batch thing is definitely real, but I’ve also seen real slate roofs with color variation, especially after repairs. Guess it just stands out more with synthetic since the tiles are supposed to be uniform.
One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that some of the newer synthetic products have better UV resistance and flexibility than the ones from even 10 years ago. Manufacturers seem to be tweaking the formulas every couple of years. Not saying they’ll last as long as real stone, but I wouldn’t write them off for longevity just yet. I’d still stash a box or two from the original lot, just in case, but I’m cautiously optimistic about the newer stuff.
Funny timing, I actually helped with a synthetic slate install last winter and was kind of surprised by how much lighter it was than the real thing. Way easier on the back, honestly. One thing I did notice though—some of the older synthetic tiles we replaced were starting to curl at the edges. Not sure if that’s from the cold snaps or just age. The new stuff does seem a bit more flexible, but I’m still a little skeptical about how it’ll look after a couple decades up there. Guess time will tell...
I’ve looked at synthetic slate a few times, mostly because the price of real slate is just out of reach for me. The weight difference is a big plus, but I’ve also seen some curling on older installs around here (Midwest winters are brutal). Makes me wonder if the savings up front are worth it if you have to replace sections down the line. Still, the new stuff does look better than what was around 10-15 years ago... I’m just not convinced it’ll age as well as the real deal.
I’ve also seen some curling on older installs around here (Midwest winters are brutal). Makes me wonder if the savings up front are worth it if you have to replace sections down the line.
That curling you mentioned is definitely a thing with some of the early synthetic stuff. Midwest freeze-thaw cycles are no joke—seen plenty of roofs take a beating around here. The newer synthetics are a lot better, though. Manufacturers have tweaked the formulas and installation methods, so you don’t see as much curling or fading as you did 10-15 years ago. Still, nothing really ages quite like real slate... but then again, not many houses are built to handle that weight without some serious reinforcement.
I’ve put up both types, and honestly, for folks who want the look without the cost (or the backache), the new synthetics aren’t a bad compromise. Just make sure whoever installs it actually follows the specs—most of the problems I’ve seen come from shortcuts on install, not the material itself. If you’re planning to stay in the house long-term, it’s worth weighing the warranty and how much you want to mess with repairs down the road.