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Lightweight Inspire “Classic” Roof Slates and Why Use Them

08 March 2023

Using lightweight slates on various-sized roofing projects has been increasingly popular among site managers over the past several years. The surge in popularity of working with lightweight roofing materials has been driven by various benefits that have convinced both professional roofers and do-it-yourselfers that lightweight slate is a wiser and more cost-effective roofing option.

Everything you need to know about lightweight roof slates is included in this article.

What is a Lightweight Slate?

Two major subgroups of roof slate may be distinguished based on their weight: lightweight and heavy slates.

Regarding tiling, “heavyweight” refers to a slate weighing more than 20 kilogrammes per square metre. This category might include things like plain slate and interlocking slate. Roof slates that weigh less than 20 kg are referred to as lightweight roof slates. This particular category of slate uses various construction methods and aesthetic approaches. Examples of lightweight slate are metal slate, synthetic slate, and shingles made of synthetic material.

Advantageous Ways To Make Use Of Lightweight Roofing Slate

Determining some of the instant benefits of utilising lightweight slates instead of heavyweight slates does not require an expert’s assistance. The fact that lighter slates are easier to transport is perhaps the most evident advantage of employing them. Even though inexperienced do-it-yourselfers might not perceive this as much of an advantage, roofers and anyone who knows how challenging and taxing it can be to move a large slate will find this a godsend.

Easy to Install

The fact that the slate is lighter will also help to speed up the installation procedure because it will take less time to move supplies around the installation site.

Safety and Security

The matter of keeping everyone secure is of far greater significance. The work environment is made safer as a direct result of the fact that lightweight slates are simpler to move about the construction site.

Safe for the Environment

Regarding transportation, lightweight roofing slates are preferable for the environment since they release fewer carbon emissions throughout the shipping process. As a result of travelling with a lesser burden, the cost of transporting slate from one location to another will often be reduced.

Durability and Versatility

Even though the weight of the tile is known to cut down on installation time, the fact that several lightweight slates can be installed at once rather than one at a time will also ensure that a roofing project is completed more quickly without sacrificing anything in terms of its durability, aesthetics, or performance. The design of lightweight roof slates makes them even better for weatherproofing buildings, delivering superior weather performance under harsh conditions compared to heavier slates. This makes lightweight roof slate an even better option for weatherproofing structures. A roof covered with clay is more prone to break than a roof laid with lighter slate. A lighter slate will maintain your roof’s weather resistance for longer.

Considering all of these characteristics, it should not come as a surprise that lightweight roof slates are on the rise, particularly in the construction of conservatories, new homes, and home modifications.

Roofing your conservatory with these slates makes good financial sense because lightweight roofing materials are typically sold at lower prices. This will allow you to save money. In addition, it is common for conservatories and sheds to be unable to employ weighty roofing materials because of the strain these materials would place on the structure. Because of this, lightweight slate is an excellent option for use in conservatory flooring.

Regarding selection, lightweight roofing slates provide as many alternatives as slate and plain slate and, in some instances, even more variation. Contact us for more information.