Natural Slate Roofing for Lancaster's Finest Homes

The Enduring Beauty and Performance of Natural Slate

Natural slate is the most durable and visually stunning roofing material available. Quarried from layered sedimentary rock that formed over 500 million years ago, each slate tile carries unique color variations, subtle textures, and a depth of character that no manufactured product can replicate. A slate roof installed today will still be protecting your home when your great-grandchildren inherit it.

At Fairfield Peak Roofing, we are one of the few roofing contractors in Central Ohio with the skills, tools, and sourcing relationships to install and restore natural slate roofs. This is specialized craftsmanship that demands patience, precision, and respect for the material - and it is work we genuinely love.

Why Choose Natural Slate for Your Lancaster Home

Lancaster and Fairfield County are home to several architectural styles that pair beautifully with natural slate. The Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman homes found throughout the historic districts of Lancaster were often originally roofed in slate when they were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many still wear their original slate roofs - a testament to the material’s longevity.

For newer high-end construction, slate provides an unmatched level of sophistication and permanence. A natural slate roof immediately distinguishes a property from its neighbors and adds significant value both in curb appeal and actual resale price. Insurance companies in Ohio often provide premium discounts for slate roofs because of their fire resistance and durability.

Slate Grades and Sources Matter

Not all slate is equal, and material selection is the single most important factor in slate roof longevity. We source exclusively from quarries that produce S1 grade slate as classified by ASTM C406 testing. S1 slate has been proven through standardized weathering tests to maintain structural integrity for 75 years minimum, and field experience shows it far exceeds that - often lasting well beyond 100 years.

Vermont slate is the benchmark for North American slate roofing. Available in unfading black, gray, green, purple, and multicolor blends, Vermont slate offers consistent quality and a range of aesthetics from formal to rustic.

Pennsylvania slate from the Lehigh and Northampton County quarries produces a distinctive blue-black and blue-gray material that has been used on prominent buildings throughout the eastern United States for over 150 years.

Virginia slate provides warm tones in purple, mottled green, and red that create dramatic color patterns across a roof surface.

Welsh slate is imported from quarries in North Wales and is recognized globally as some of the finest roofing slate ever produced. Its deep blue-gray color and exceptional cleavage make it a premium choice for landmark properties.

We will never install soft imported slate from China, India, or Brazil that has flooded the market at low prices. These materials often have high absorption rates and can begin delaminating within 15 to 25 years - completely undermining the purpose of choosing slate in the first place.

The Craft of Slate Installation

Slate installation is fundamentally different from shingle work. Each tile must be individually handled, inspected for defects, and in many cases trimmed with a slate cutter to fit the layout. Nailing requires precision - the nail must be driven flush but never countersunk, as driving a nail too deep will crack the slate. Every hole is punched at the proper location based on headlap and exposure calculations specific to your roof pitch.

We use copper nails exclusively on our slate installations. Galvanized nails are cheaper but can corrode within 40 to 60 years, causing slates to slip out of position long before the tiles themselves have deteriorated. Stainless steel is an acceptable alternative, but copper remains the traditional and most reliable choice for fasteners that need to last as long as the slate.

Copper Flashings: The Only Logical Choice

Every transition point on a slate roof - valleys, chimney aprons, step flashings at walls, vent pipe collars, and ridge details - must use flashing material that will match the longevity of the slate. That material is copper. We fabricate all flashings from 16-ounce or 20-ounce cold-rolled copper sheeting, formed and soldered on site to fit each unique condition.

Over time, copper develops a natural green patina that many homeowners find attractive against the gray and black tones of slate. More importantly, copper maintains its structural integrity and weather seal for well over 100 years, ensuring that the weakest points on your roof last as long as the strongest.

Slate Roof Repair and Restoration

If your Lancaster home already has a slate roof that needs attention, we provide repair and restoration services that extend the life of your existing investment. Common slate roof issues we address include:

Broken or missing individual slates - Replaced with matching tiles using a slate ripper and hook-nail technique that does not disturb surrounding slates.

Worn flashing - The most frequent failure point on old slate roofs. We replace deteriorated galvanized or lead flashings with new copper, often adding decades of service life to an otherwise sound slate roof.

Sagging or displaced courses - Caused by nail failure, structural movement, or previous improper repairs. We re-secure slates and address underlying framing issues.

Historic restoration - For properties on the National Register of Historic Places or in Lancaster’s designated historic districts, we perform slate work that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, using historically appropriate materials and methods.

Request a Slate Roofing Consultation

Whether you are considering a new natural slate roof for a custom home or need expert restoration of an existing historic slate roof in Fairfield County, Fairfield Peak Roofing brings the specialized knowledge and genuine craftsmanship this material demands. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn what a century of protection looks like.