Advantages of Slate Roofing

Among the advantages of Rising & Nelson Slate roofs are:
   1. Non-combustible, resists fire, storm and wind
   2. Waterproof, natural stone
   3. Wide range of color combination
   4. Effective appearance from texture, exposure and color
   5. Little or no maintenance cost
   6. Will not retain snow or ice
   7. Resists climatic changes
   8. Reduces insurance premiums
   9. Long life
  10. Accidental breakage easily replaced 

Characteristics of Slate

The principal difference between slate and other stones is the natural cleavage construction of the slate. This permits it to be split in one direction into sheets of various thicknesses. It is cut and trimmed mostly by hand labor into the required sizes and thicknesses. A slate roof is really a custom-made job and its use gives a character to a building unlike that of any other roofing. Slate quarried for roofing is of dense, sound rock and is exceedingly tough and durable. Some slate roofs in Vermont have been on for over a hundred years. Roofing slate is split to various thicknesses from commercial 3/16� thick up to 1� in thickness for heavy graduated thicknesses of slate roofs.

Colors of Vermont Slate

The following colors are listed according to relative cost starting with the lowest cost.

Semi-weathering, Green and Gray � Loosely called Sea Green, it is the basic product of Rising & Nelson and most widely known and used. Green or grayish green when first quarried, upon exposure to elements a percentage change to soft tones of buff and brown, the remainder retaining initial color. This gradual change serves to beautify the roof and in no way affects the durability of the slate. Interspersed in a mixed color roof, this slate will eliminate sharp contrasts and improve the blend immeasurably.

Vermont Gray Black � Gray Black in color with shades varying slightly. Available in smooth or rough texture; can experience slight degree of weathering.

Strata Gray (mottled gray black) � A gray slate with lines, spots, and clouds of black in dark, medium and light modulations. A semi-weathering slate that may or may not have coarse texture surface.

Variegated Purple � Varies in shade from light to dark purple; may have a green spot and shading. A semi-weathering slate.

Unfading Mottled Gray Green � Presents a grayish green background with promiscuous clouds or spots of mottling in dark, medium and light modulations.

Unfading Mottled Green and purple � Consists of slightly varying shades of purple; some almost clear but usually mottled with green; others with green background mottled with purple. All blend in a soft and harmonious effect.

Unfading Green � One of the strong, fast colors. The shades vary somewhat from a light green to a dark emerald color.

Unfading Black � A true, clear Black.

Red Slate � A non-fading red slate in several tones of red. This can be used as a solid red or as proportionate in combination with other colors.

Suggested color combinations

R & N 1

70% Semi-Weathering Green & Gray
30% Variegated Purple

R & N 2

50% Semi-Weathering Green & Gray
50% Variegated Purple

  R & N 3

60% Unfading Mottled Green & Gray
40% Unfading Green

  R & N 4

50% Semi-Weathering Green & Gray
20% Variegated Purple
20% Unfading Green
10% Vermont Gray Black

  R & N 5

70% Unfading Mottled Gray Green
30% Unfading Mottled Green & Purple

Actual samples for color range sent on request.

Sizes

Length Standard widths Exposure with standard 3" Headlap

24" 16" - 14" - 12" 10-1/2"

22" 14" - 12" - 11" 9-1/2"

20" 14" - 12" - 11" - 10" 8-1/2"

18" 14" - 12" - 11" - 10" - 9" 7-1/2"

16" 14" - 12" - 11" - 10" - 9" - 8" 6-1/2"

14" 12" - 11" - 10" - 9" - 8" - 7" 5-1/2"

12" 12" - 10" - 9" - 8" - 7" - 6" 4-1/2"

10" 10" - 9" - 8" - 7" - 6" 3-1/2"

To relieve uniformity of shadow line, architects have continued to specify one length and random widths.