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Real slate comes from natural stone. Synthetic slate comes from various sources made to look like slate. For either hard or soft natural stone, expect to pay $10 to $30 per square foot, each of which will last 50 to 200 years. If you choose synthetic slate, budget $3 to $16 per square foot for recycled asphalt, metal, or fiber cement. These options will last 20 to 50 years. 

Real slate lasts 50 to 200 years. Soft slate lasts half as long as hard slate or about 50 to 125 years. It’s the fixings and the timbers that support the slate that generally need replacing before the slate shingles themselves. Weather impacts the longevity of the roof. Normal weather conditions won’t have an impact on the length of life of a roof but extreme weather including tornadoes and hail can reduce the lifespan of a roof. 

Slate roofs are worth it for historical homes or those in areas with other slate or high-end roofing materials. You’ll receive an ROI of approximately 85%. Plus, it’s more environmentally responsible since it’s both a natural material and lasts up to 200 years. Its long lifespan keeps it out of landfills. In fact, the waste of asphalt roofs, which only last between 20 and 30 years at best, accounts for up to five percent of all landfill material in the United States.