| Author | Message | ||
     John_chan (John_chan) Senior Member Username: John_chan Post Number: 78 Registered: 08-2006 |
Great analogy, Ward. I agree. There's quite a few SRCA members in NJ and Western PA to look over the roof for you. | ||
| Bigmuggle (Bigmuggle) New member Username: Bigmuggle Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2011 |
Thanks very much for the info. I appreciate it greatly! -- Dave | ||
| Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration (Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration) Senior Member Username: Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration Post Number: 154 Registered: 04-2007 |
(Continuing the analogy) Remember that Honda's aren't inexpensive, either, they also have problems when they get old, and its not inexpensive to have a foreign auto shop fix one. There are lots of 20's to 30's era Tudors (like the one shown) in the NY-NJ-CT area, and none were built for asphalt shingles. They were built for slate, tile, and wood shingle coverings ... in other words, materials that BREATH. READ Owens-Corning's installation directions: You MUST have ridge and soffitt ventilation (ie, modern construction) so the roof can breath. OR it must be unfinished space with NO insulation between the rafters and PLENTY of cross ventilation (ie, a cold roof.) The houses you're looking at don't. In 10 years when the "30-year architectural shingles" turn to potato chips they will NOT honor the warranty because of installation errors. And you'll pay for a new asphalt roof with expensive flashing details because its a relatively complex roof system. My recommendation would be to pay an SRCA member a couple hundred bucks to give you an assessment of the slate/flashing conditions so you know what you're looking at. The Vermont blend slate in the picture looks great, but we're reaching the point where original flashings MAY be at the end of their service life. You need that question answered by a qualified slater. All things being equal, NOTHING beats the charm and aesthetic appeal of a slate roof. | ||
| Bigmuggle (Bigmuggle) New member Username: Bigmuggle Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2011 |
I would say more Mercedes vs. Honda. Do you spend your last penny for the Merc and hope against hope you don't have a stratospheric repair bill, or do go for the Honda, and have some money left over for whatever comes up... I understand that slate is the Mercedes of roofs. However, if there is something faulty with it, I will be up a creek... | ||
| Joe (Joe) Moderator Username: Joe Post Number: 598 Registered: 07-2006 |
It's like a guy looking at cars and trying to decide between a Mercedes and a Ford Pinto. Would the Mercedes be too much trouble...?? | ||
| Epl (Epl) Senior Member Username: Epl Post Number: 116 Registered: 06-2009 |
A natural slate roofing system should actually out perform nearly any other alternative roofing system (such as asphalt) in every instance. As long as the original slate roof was installed and maintained correctly, the maintenance should be somewhat minimal (or within reason for such a product). Just as with any product, proper upkeep is necessary, but the Vermont slate presently on the roof should last for 75-100 years or better. A qualified tile and slate roofing contractor in your area should be able to determine the present condition of the slates as well as the supporting materials (i.e. underlayments, flashings, decking, etc.) and report as to any recommendations or “red flags” with the roof. If possible, you will want to keep this roof as apposed to removing and replacing with something that is considerably lesser in quality. Renaissance Tile and Slate Roof tile and slate | Material sales and acquisition Eric P. Loema sales | salvage | procurement Office: (800) 699-5695 Fax: (815) 547-1425 Cell: (815) 378-3646 Web: www.TileandSlateSales.com Email: epl@TileandSlateSales.com Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/eloema Network: www.facebook.com/TileSlate | ||
| Bigmuggle (Bigmuggle) New member Username: Bigmuggle Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2011 |
It's in Teaneck. This is the listing: http://www.russorealestate.com/bin/web/real_estate?ZKEY=&acnt=AR205162&action=HO ME_SEARCH&inwindow=&hs_action=VIEW_DETAIL&listing_id=REATOP49639347&start=50&grp =ALL | ||
| Chris (Chris) Senior Member Username: Chris Post Number: 98 Registered: 09-2009 |
very pretty home, what town is that? | ||
| Bigmuggle (Bigmuggle) New member Username: Bigmuggle Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2011 |
Hi all. Hope this is not a heretical topic to raise here. My wife and I are looking to buy a house in a neighborhood in NJ where most homes date from 1920-1940. The vast majority have asphalt roofs, but there is one that we kinda like which has a slate roof (as well as steel casement windows). I will try to attach a pic. Here is my question: Is it worthwhile to buy a house with a slate roof? From what I have read online, they can be enormously expensive to maintain and fix, and we are already at the top of our budget for the house. I do recognize the aesthetic and historic appeal of slate, but fundamentally we just want a place to call home, that will not give us undo grief. Will buying a house with a slate roof be asking for trouble? To put it another way: For people like us who are not handy, are not capable of doing our own roof maintenance, and are not interested in becoming historic preservationists in our spare time, would a slate roofed-house prove to be a poor decision? Thanks so much for any advice!  |
