Ribons On Slate Roofs

Pennsylvania or ribbon slates.

Ribons on slate roofs.

At a certain point in the life of a ribbon slate roof the slates may start to break at a faster than normal rate. 125 to 175 years. Slate roofs are a critical design feature of many historic buildings that cannot be duplicated using substitute materials. Ribbon slate is roofing slate with linear colors running in stripes through the slate material.

60 to 90 years. Slate roofs can and should be maintained and repaired to effectively extend their serviceable lives. In the technology of slate bulletin 28 dept. When replacement is necessary details contributing to the appearance of the roof should be retained.

Slates with diagonal or striped inclusions of varying colors or ribbon slates include products with a very long life expectancy and other ribbon slates that are or were a low priced slate with soft inclusions short life and leaks. Of the interior 1922 famed geologist oliver bowles declared that the ribbons were of no consequence to the longevity of the. This may be the time to consider replacement. A ribbon slate roof is not necessarily a bad thing as the quality of some ribbon slates is better than others.

Other factors in roof longevity. Often the ribbons are diagonal depending on how the slate was quarried. What are ribbon slates and do they wear out faster than other slate roofs. 175 years or more.

Slate split from a block are holed and trimmed in such a manner that the ribbon occurs on the top end of the slate thus hidden from view once they are installed on a roof. Slate from different mines has different average slate roof life expectancies with proper installation and regular maintenance.