[MassHistPres] MassHistPres Digest, Vol 44, Issue 17

Mon Oct 12 15:33:10 EDT 2009

Unfortunately a fair analysis makes this more complicated than a straight
comparison between initial costs of slate and asphalt.  Slate quality varies
a lot and 120 years is the longest life-cycle you might project - the most
inexpensive slate might be only 50 years.  120 years could push the
per-square price a little higher than $450.  "Good" slate tends to be
thicker/heavier so, if it's better than what's on there now, you might need
to verify the structural capacity of the roof rafters and deck.
Also, the installation costs of slate go up faster than those for asphalt
depending on the complexity of the roof (dormers, cuts, flashing) and the
general conditions of hoisting the material, steepness of the pitch, and
availability of staging areas.  Slate is also more sensitive to 'job size'
than is asphalt because the trades and set-up are more specialized. We've
seen $1200 for roofs that aren't particularly "special".
Finally, periodic repairs - which can be expected in 15-20 years - are
significantly more expensive than for asphalt and that should be factored in
to be truly accurate.
Environmental arguments are very appropriate to factor in.  Arguably asphalt
is a petroleum product although certain manufacturers might have recycled
materials in it; transportation is a plus if the slate comes from within the
region.

M. Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB
TBA Architects, Inc.
241 Crescent Street Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 893-5828 tel   (781) 893-5834 fax   (617) 429-5033 cell
rfeldman at tbaarchitects.com

TBA is accredited by the Better Business Bureau

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Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 44, Issue 17

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Today's Topics:

   1. Slate Roofs VS Asphalt (Joseph Ouellette)
   2. Re: Slate Roofs VS Asphalt (Garrett Laws)

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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:41:15 -0400
From: "Joseph Ouellette" <ouellette685 at msn.com>
Subject: [MassHistPres] Slate Roofs VS Asphalt
To: "masshistpres" <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Message-ID: <SNT126-DS9FE34B1D4825ADADE173681C90 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I'm trying to do a rough comparison between slate and asphalt roofs for a
historic building in town. Assuming the slate roof will last about 120 yrs
and the asphalt roof either 30 or 50 years. Can anyone tell me the material
costs for a "square" of Vermont slate and a "square" of asphalt shingle.
I'll do the math. We are trying to show that the slate is a much better long
term investment. 

Thanks 
Joseph A. Ouellette
Sturbridge Historical Commission
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:28:03 -0400
From: Garrett Laws <copperandslate at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Slate Roofs VS Asphalt
To: Joseph Ouellette <ouellette685 at msn.com>
Cc: masshistpres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>
Message-ID:
	<3237fe6c0910120528r4c7b46aegfa595b639405db14 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Joseph,

great qustion that is tough to put into real world projects as there
are always additional site factorsto address,but.

Roughly $ 100 asphalt
slate $ 450

the real benefit (in my eyes) is the material saved over the life
cycle of the slate! If a rally good slate is chosen and it lasts 125 -
150 yrs how much raw material is saved by not using a petroleum
prpouct? With the 125 yr # and a 30 yr shingle, there are 4 additional
roof projects done to the building before the slate needs replacement.

Again, there are a lot of assumptions taking place here...

Garrett

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, Joseph Ouellette <ouellette685 at msn.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm trying to do a rough comparison between slate and asphalt roofs for a
> historic building in town. Assuming the slate roof will last about 120 yrs
and
> the asphalt roof either 30 or 50 years. Can anyone tell me the
> material costs for a "square" of Vermont slate and a "square" of asphalt
> shingle. I'll do the math. We are trying to show that the slate is
> a much better long term investment.
>
> Thanks
> Joseph A. Ouellette
> Sturbridge Historical Commission
>

-- 

Cheers,
Garrett

Garrett Laws, Manager
The Copper & Slate Company
Fine Roofing and Exterior Finish Carpentry
238A Calvary Street
Waltham, MA 02453
Ph: (781) 893-1916
Fax: (781) 893-2041

Copperandslate at Gmail.com or
GLaws at hbuilders.net

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End of MassHistPres Digest, Vol 44, Issue 17
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