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Symphony from CertainTeed has the texture and contours of quarried slate, yet the engineered polymer composite is lighter, more durable and less costly than real slate. It is particularly suited for stately or historic homes, churches and other architecturally significant structures.

Lamarite slate shingles by TAMKO offer the authentic look of a classic slate roof and are available in 5- and 7-in. widths, which can be used in conjunction with a 12-in. shingle to create many pattern options. Diamond and scallop shapes are available as well.

Timberline Prestique High Definition shingles from GAF-Elk have a shadow band that results in a dramatic, higher contrast appearance. Also offered are Natural Shadow shingles that offer a more subtle appearance for those who want a more even-toned look.

EcoStar’s Majestic Slate Traditional is a 50-year rubber slate tile that is made from post-industrial recycled rubber and plastics. The tile can be combined with other EcoStar products to create a customized look. The tiles are Class A fire rated and feature Class 4 hail resistance.

Not so very long ago the choice for residential roofing was simple: asphalt shingles, organic or fiberglass. Laminate or “architectural” shingles, still asphalt, were almost exotic.

“When I started 28 years ago there were only a couple of architectural shingles on the market. Today there must be 50 different looks you can get with architectural shingles,” says Don Katzenberger, owner of S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows in Eldersburg, Md.

Composite roofing materials, made from a variety of recycled materials and available in styles that look like slate or shake roofing, are becoming more popular, particularly in higher end applications, Katzenberger says.

While composite materials may be more expensive than asphalt, in situations where replacing or installing a true slate roof might be prohibitively expensive, they may represent a bargain. “It gives you a cost savings of 30-35 percent over real slate,” he says.

“Most people, and a lot of roofers, can’t tell it isn’t real slate unless they’ve got a really trained eye,” Katzenberger says.

In applications on structures subject to oversight by historical commissions, the composite slate look-alikes have been approved for a number of jobs, he reports.

In addition, the composite materials don’t have the weight disadvantage of real slate, which might require strengthening of the roof trusses in a retrofit situation, incurring additional cost.

Traditional slate is not entirely a thing of the past, however. Katzenberger relates that his company does three to four slate roofs per year.

Slate is not the only traditional roofing material that has been duplicated by composite products. Early composite cedar shake products were not entirely convincing, according to Katzenberger. Recently, however, manufacturers have marketed a thicker, more realistic product. Mixing thicker shakes with standard products gives a randomness to the roof that really replicates the look of shakes, he says.

Use the reader service card for more information on the following suppliers:

• CertainTeed For more info please indicate #39 on e-Inquiry.
  
• EcoStar For more info please indicate #40 on e-Inquiry.
  
• GAF-Elk For more info please indicate #41 on e-Inquiry.
  
• TAMKO For more info please indicate #42 on e-Inquiry.