Pennsylvania Slate Roof

Today slate is still in high demand especially in the u s where discriminating buyers and designers specify it for commercial and residential alike.

Pennsylvania slate roof.

Slate is the material of choice on roofs with architects for it s unsurpassed beauty fire proofing and longevity. Other factors in roof longevity. Pennsylvania or ribbon slates. 60 to 90 years.

The slate can be described as dark black with a slight sheen or crystalline texture. Slate is a fine grained foliated homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low grade regional metamorphism it is the finest grained foliated metamorphic rock. In 1850 at the crystal palace exposition in england it was deemed the best roofing slate in the world. By 1876 roofing slate imports had all but dried up and the united states became a net exporter of the commodity.

Slate production increased dramatically in the years following the civil war as quarries were opened in vermont new york virginia and lehigh and northampton counties pennsylvania. Many of these buyers seek pennsylvania slate for its beauty and resilience and pbbs is the leading supplier of pennsylvania slate to customers across the nation. There are buildings in our area roofed in our local slate which have lasted over 150 years so far all from the pennsylvania big beds that we are named after. 100 to 200 years.

Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression. Pennsylvania slate roof shingles are some of the finest you can buy anywhere and are always made from clear slate. 175 years or more. Slate from different mines has different average slate roof life expectancies with proper installation and regular maintenance.

We excel in providing our valued customers professional slate roofing that will last longer and look better than any other roofing material in pennsylvania and new jersey. Our company has been making roofing slate since 1934. 125 to 175 years.