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This slate roofing photo library shows various kinds of roofing slate, slate roof colors, slate roof patterns, and roofing slate defects. This photographic dictionary of roofing slates is a supplement to our detailed article (links at page left) 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. An earlier version of this article appearedin the winter 1991 issue of the ASHI Technical Journal - the content has been substantially edited and updated and many © photographs have been added for this online version - April 2006-January 2007. Slate roofing is considered a high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing material which receives considerable focus in both the sale of properties and in the evaluation of building condition.

As we emphasized in our main article on slate repairs, opinions run heavier than actual data. The abandonment of good slate roofs which should have been repaired is a financial shame and the destruction of a valued asset. At the same time, careless optimism about a bad slate roof which is at the end of its life risks an angry inspection client. The main article reviews types of slate, common defects, inspection topics, and some repair tips.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

An online photo dictionary of roofing slate colors, types, and conditions

This article assists home inspectors, building buyers or building owners, and roofing contractors in evaluating the condition of slate roofs by providing photos of various slate materials, patterns, defects, and conditions. Also see How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs for a detailed article about evaluating the condition of slate roofing and repairing worn or damaged slate roofs.

A Photographic Guide to Slate Roof Patterns

Photographs of Closed Lap Staggered Slate Roof Pattern

Closed lap staggered slate pattern, don't mistake this for the leak-prone "Dutch lap" which too often was installed with minimal side lap between slates

Photos of conventional slate roofing patterns

Conventional staggered horizontal slate pattern, good condition on a steep mansard roof - good nails must have been used

Photographs of Slate used on a Curved Roof Shape

Curved ridge slate roof, this unusual design risks wind-blown rain leaks

Curved ridge slate roof, close-up view of gaps - slates don't bend along a curve

Photographs of Diamond Pattern Slate Roofs

Diamond pattern slate roofs, tar patched, a few missing slates, this roof may seem OK, but what about all of that tar/mastic patching?

Photo Guide to Diagonal Pattern Slate Roofs

Diagonal pattern slate, red and green, good condition

Slate Roof Dutch Lap or Staggered Slate Lap Roofing Pattern Photographs

Dutch lap pattern with good side lap, adequate side lap makes leaks less likely but quite often shingles were installed in this pattern with just an inch of side lap and very little head lap, making for a leaky roof.

Photo Guide to French Pattern Roofing Slates

French Pattern Slates, generous side lap visible where slate is missing, tarred valley, thin, delaminating slates

Photo Guide to Graduated Slate Roofing Patterns

Graduated Slates, generally good, some roof mastic patching at a missing slate; note the mastic at sidewall step flashing?

Graduated Slates, green slates, generally good condition, note less algae below copper salts washing down from skylight

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs a detailed article about evaluating the condition of slate roofing and repairing worn or damaged slate roofs.
• Slate Roof Photo Library photographs of colors, types, patterns of slate roofs, slate roof wear, slate roof conditions.
• Slate References page from the ASHI Technical Journal
• Slate Sources, Repairs page from the ASHI Technical Journal
• Roofing: Defect Recognition, Repair, Prevention for Roofing & Flashing main web page
• Inspecting and Evaluating Slate Roofs Hudson Valley ASHI seminar content
• Choosing a Roofing Contractor How to find and select a roofing contractor - (thanks to Jessie Schrader)
• 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.)
• 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).
• Slate Roofs , Steven Trapasso, presentation to NY Metro ASHI, Inc. chapter seminar, November 1990.
• The Old-House Journal , Special Roof Issue , April 1983, The Old-House Journal, PO Box 50214, Boulder, CO 80321-0214
• National Slate Technology Center courses for architects, builders, etc.
• 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.
• Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America
• National Slate Association includes list of slate testing laboratories

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