Sources for Roofing Slate, Slate Roof Tools, Slate Roof Suppliers

Where to buy roofing slates, slate roof tools, slate roof supplies
Slate hammers, slate hooks and other special slate roofing tools are sold by several specialized distributors listed here
Slates of varying grades, colors, and applications as roofing slate or slates for steep or vertical slopes such as steeples, mansard roofs, walls, are available from a number of quarries and distributors listed here.
SNOW GUARDS & SNOW BRAKES - separate article
Questions & Answers about buying roofing slate & slate roofintg tools
References

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Where to buy roofing slate or slate roofing tools: this article describes slate sources and where to buy slate roofing materials and slate roofing tools and products. This is a detailed article describing procedures for evaluating the condition of slate roofing. How to inspect, identify defects, and estimate remaining life of slate roofs are addressed. The article also references slate repair procedures, repair slate sources, and slate quarries.

Slate Roof Replacement & Repair Sources

If less than 25% of the slates on a roof are damaged or sliding down from worn out nails, slate repairs are in order. Luckily replacement slates are available from a variety of slate quarries, slate suppliers, and slate roofing companies.

Slate "look alike" products are also available using cementious materials. If the building owner cannot afford to repair a slate roof where most slates are intact, holding action slate roof repairs should be followed, such as simply sliding metal flashing up under broken or missing slates on the roof.

We purchased this slate removing tool (also useful for removing other types of roof shingles where careful work is needed) at Davies Hardware, on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Roofing & Slating Tool Suppliers

John Stortz & Son Inc, 210 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Website: www.stortz.com, Tel: 888-847-3456 or 215-627-3855. Stortz has been producing and selling hand tools since 1953. The company's slate roofing tools include slate cutters, hammers,slate rippers (similar to our blue ripper shown above), slaters stakes, slate hooks (see our article on SLATE ROOF REPAIRS), a power slate cutter, and other tools.

Roofing Slate Suppliers

Buckingham Slate Co., 4110 Fitzhugh Ave., Richmond, VA 23230; 805/355-4351 (VA Buckingham Grey)
Evergreen Slate Co., 68 Potter Ave., Granville, NY 12832; 518/642-2530. Vermont slates in 10 colors.
Hilltop Slate Co., Middle Granville, NY 12849; 518/642-2270 (all VT colors plus imported Spanish Black)
Rising & Nelson Slate Co., West Pawlet, VT 05775; 802/645-0150 (all VT colors plus Buckingham Gray from VA and blacks from PA
Structural Slate Co., Pen Argyl, PA 18072; 215/863-4145 (PA black)
Vermont Structural Slate Co., PO Box 98 Fair Haven, VT 05743 802/265-4933 802/265-3865 FAX (Green, purple, unfading red, and Spanish imported black.)

In addition to these slate sources there are several slate look-alike substitutes. While the application techniques, flashing and nailing concerns are similar, the wear characteristics of these materials may be quite different and were not evaluated for this paper. This paper is not an endorsement, nor a critique of any of these materials.

Eternit, Inc., rigid fiber reinforced cement roofing slates (and board products. Village Center Drive, Reading, PA 19607 800/233-3155
BritSlate^TM are made from 100% quarried slate particles combined with an adhesive (epoxy?) and no fillers with no questionable side effects according to the manufacturer. According to the manufacturer, they can be cut, drilled, etc. and come with a 50-year guarantee. They're less prone to breakage than slate, fireproof, and do not absorb water (like natural slate), and do not encourage organic growth (moss and lichens) because they are not porous. BritSlate North America, Inc., 647 West Boylston St., Worcester, MA 01606 508/852-4888 508/852-7224 FAX 2/90.
Reinforced-cement shingles which "look like slate but are lighter and one-third the cost" are available from Atlas International Building Products, 5600 Hochelaga St., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1N 1W1. [$180/square loose or $400./sq. installed, 30-year guarantee.]
Supra-Slate "looks like slate and is manufactured in colors of real quarry slate." Tegusol is a double interlocking clay roof tile. Available from: Supradur Manufacturing Corporation, PO Box 908, Rye, NY 10580 800/223-1948 or 914/967-8230. or 122 East 42nd St., NY, NY 10168 212/697-1160
Lifetile(R) Boral Concrete Products, Inc., produces high density extruded concrete roofing tiles meeting Class "A" requirements. Dallas, TX 214/544-2227
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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

[1] Alan Carson and Dan Friedman are ASHI Members, home inspectors, educators and writers in Toronto and Poughkeepsie respectively. Information in this article is taken from the references shown below, from inspection experience, from opinions shared at ASHI and other education seminars, from the authors' personal, limited experience repairing and rebuilding of slate roofs, and from very helpful Bill Markcrow and Doug Sheldon at Vermont Structural Slate Co.
We also paraphrased from a presentation to NY Metro ASHI Members by Mr. Steven Trapasso in October, 1990. Mr. Trapasso has 40 years experience in working with slate, and has a clear love affair with the material, particularly when it comes from Vermont.
[2] Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)
[3] The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).
[4] Slate Roofs , Steven Trapasso, presentation to NY Metro ASHI, Inc. chapter seminar, November 1990.
[5] John Stortz & Son Inc, 210 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Website: www.stortz.com, Tel: 888-847-3456 or 215-627-3855. Stortz has been producing and selling hand tools since 1953. The company's slate roofing tools include slate cutters, hammers,slate rippers, slaters stakes, slate hooks (see our article on SLATE ROOF REPAIRS), a power slate cutter, and other tools.
[6] The Old-House Journal , Special Roof Issue , April 1983, The Old-House Journal, PO Box 50214, Boulder, CO 80321-0214
[7] National Slate Technology Center courses for architects, builders, etc.
[8] Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.
[9] Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America
[10] National Slate Association includes list of slate testing laboratorie

Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
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- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
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[11] How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs a detailed article about evaluating the condition of slate roofing and repairing worn or damaged slate roofs.
[12] Slate Roof Photo Library photographs of colors, types, patterns of slate roofs, slate roof wear, slate roof conditions.
[13] Slate References page from the ASHI Technical Journal
[14] Slate Sources, Repairs page from the ASHI Technical Journal
[15] Roofing: Defect Recognition, Repair, Prevention for Roofing & Flashing main web page
[16] Inspecting and Evaluating Slate Roofs Hudson Valley ASHI seminar content
[17] Choosing a Roofing Contractor How to find and select a roofing contractor - (thanks to Jessie Schrader)
[18] Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)
[19] The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).
[20] Slate Roofs , Steven Trapasso, presentation to NY Metro ASHI, Inc. chapter seminar, November 1990.
[21] The Old-House Journal , Special Roof Issue , April 1983, The Old-House Journal, PO Box 50214, Boulder, CO 80321-0214
[22] National Slate Technology Center courses for architects, builders, etc.
[23] Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America
[24] National Slate Association includes list of slate testing laboratories
[25] Historic Slate Roofs : With How-to Info and Specifications, Tina Skinner (Ed), Schiffer Publishing, 2008, ISBN-10: 0764330012 , ISBN-13: 978-0764330018
[26] Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)
[27] Roofing The Right Way, Steven Bolt, McGraw-Hill Professional; 3rd Ed (1996), ISBN-10: 0070066507, ISBN-13: 978-0070066502
[28] Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)
[29] Roof Tiling & Slating, a Practical Guide, Kevin Taylor, Crowood Press (2008), ISBN 978-1847970237,
If you have never fixed a roof tile or slate before but have wondered how to go about repairing or replacing them, then this is the book for you. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.
This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided. The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers.
[30] The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).
[31] Slate Roofing in Canada (Studi4es in archaeology, architecture, and history),
[32] Smart Guide: Roofing: Step-by-Step Projects, Creative Homeowner (Ed), 2004, ISBN-10: 1580111491, ISBN-13: 978-1580111492
[33] Solar heating, radiative cooling and thermal movement: Their effects on built-up roofing (United States. National Bureau of Standards. Technical note), William C Cullen, Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Print. Off (1963), ASIN: B0007FTV2Q

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

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The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

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Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
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