Semi-fake Slate Roofing (composite Materials)

You might ask what the heck I mean with "semi-fake" slate roofing. It´s either real, natural slate or some imitation, isn´t it?

Composite roofing shingles

Actually, there are also composite materials tiles imitating the look and features of natural slate tiles. These composite roofing materials consist of real, natural slate powder and plastic component, and often are called also the lightweight slate shingles.

Properties of composite slate roofing

The basic material for this semi-fake slate shingles is the slate powder (ground natural slate). The powder is mixed with plastic material (polypropylene, polyethylene or their compound) to form the composite meld - mixing ratio is 60% (and more) of the slate and 40% (and less) of the respective polymer.

Usually, the natural slate color also dictates the final color of the composite tile and it is reliably color-stable. Only rarely, additional color powders are added to the mixture to achieve another color variations as - unfortunately - improper color additions degrade the quality of such slate/plastic composite.

The surface of the lightweight slate shingles is naturally structured and therefore almost cannot be distinguished from the "real slate". Fake composite slate tiles are UV (ultraviolet light) resistant and do not warp when exposed to strong sun heats.

Advantages of composite roofing tiles

First of all, the "lightweight" slate shingles are really lightweight. Based on shingling style the final weight can be as little as 10 kgs/square meter (approx. 2 pounds/square foot).

Physical parameters are comparable with parameters of natural slate tiles. The absorptiveness is very low, under 0,2%, hardness based on Shore D is 85+. All tiles have identical properties, which you hardly achieve with natural slate tiles. Lightweight slate shingles provide perfect service even in areas with regular hailstorms, acid rains, fluctuating temperatures or aggressive algae.

The composite slate shingles are fireproof and 100% recyclable. The tiles can be finished and as the material is thermo-plastic they can be also heated with burners and shaped when hot.