Slate and synthetic slate roofing in Long Beach, CA

Slate has a look no other roof quite matches: thin, layered, slightly irregular stone in deep grays, greens and purples. In Long Beach it suits Tudor Revival cottages, some Craftsman and English-style homes, and modern designs that want a dark, flat-faced roof.

Natural slate is heavy and needs framing built for it. Synthetic slate, made from engineered polymers and recycled materials, copies the look at a fraction of the weight. We install both and help you decide which fits your house.

Natural slate versus synthetic slate

Natural slate is split stone. It is very durable and fire resistant, but it is heavy, brittle under foot and costs more to install. Each piece varies slightly in thickness, which gives the roof character but takes skill to lay.

Synthetic slate is molded to copy split edges and texture. It weighs much less, is less likely to crack when walked on and comes in consistent sizes, which speeds installation. Color blends mix several shades to avoid a flat look. Some lines also offer pieces in more than one width, which breaks up the pattern the way real stone does.

• Natural slate: real stone, heavy, long-lived
• Synthetic slate: light, impact resistant, consistent sizing
• Both are fire resistant when installed to the maker's rules
• Synthetic usually needs no framing upgrade

Installing slate the right way

Slate is laid in overlapping courses with careful headlap so each joint is covered by the piece above. Natural slate is fastened with copper or stainless nails, set so the slate hangs on the nail without being pinched. Synthetic slate follows the maker's nailing pattern and exposure.

Valleys, hips and wall flashings on slate roofs are usually done in copper or another long-life metal, because the slate will outlast ordinary steel. Underlayment is a high-temperature product under both types.

Weight, framing and earthquake care

Natural slate can weigh far more than shingles. Before putting stone on a house that has never carried it, we check the framing and may recommend an engineer's review. On older homes, the rafters may need reinforcing.

In earthquake country, lighter roofs put less load on the frame. That is one reason synthetic slate is the more common choice in Long Beach, especially on older wood-framed homes.

Caring for a slate roof over the years

Slate needs little upkeep, but it does not like foot traffic. Natural slate can snap under a careless step, so anyone going up for gutters, antennas or solar should use roof ladders and pads. Synthetic slate is more forgiving, though it still scuffs if dragged across.

Most service calls on slate roofs are about flashings rather than the slate itself. Steel valleys and step flashing rust out, especially near the coast, while the stone around them is still sound. Replacing that metal with copper or stainless during repairs keeps the roof going. We also suggest keeping a small stack of spare pieces from the job, since exact colors and blends can be hard to find later.

• Use roof ladders and pads on natural slate
• Check valleys and step flashing after big storms
• Keep spare slate from the original job
• Clear leaves from valleys so water drains

When to call about slate & synthetic slate roofing

Slate looks on Long Beach homes

Long Beach has Tudor Revival and English-style cottages from the 1920s and 1930s in Bluff Park, Belmont Heights, California Heights and Los Cerritos, and many of them have steep roofs that suit slate. Some modern rebuilds in Belmont Shore and Naples also use dark slate for a clean look.

A slate re-roof needs a Long Beach building permit. In historic districts, a change in visible roof material can need extra review, and a synthetic slate in a period-appropriate color can be the practical route. Near the ocean, copper or stainless fasteners and flashings hold up better than plain steel.