The Natural Elegance of a Slate Roof
For centuries, people have chosen slate when the beauty and the protection of natural stone, along with the longevity of the roof are the primary goals. Slate has long been the choice for fine homes, and institutions such as colleges and churches. Fontaine Roofing & Siding, itself located in the Slate Valley of Vermont, has been installing slate for years and has mastered its traditional installation. Additionally, Fontaine Roofing has embraced new technologies and installation techniques (from SlateTec and Nu-Lok) that have made a genuine slate roof possible without the weight and extra structural support that is required for a traditional install.*
Today, slate has become a great alternative to cedar shakes. Slate can now be very competitive with cedar shakes when using the latest slate installation techniques, while still retaining all the traditional benefits of slate for longevity, aesthetics and enhancing the value of your property.
*You should always have the roof structure evaluated before installing slate.
If you are interested in a genuine slate roof, we are highly qualified to evaluate your roof and discuss with you a slate roof solution that fits your need. We use Vermont slate (the best in the world) and can discuss with you colors and color blends, textures and other slate characteristics that work with the aesthetics of your property.
Insurance benefits: Insurance companies often favor slate because of its durability— saving you money. We can make sure your roof qualifies for any discount your insurance company may offer.
Slate lasts a very long time. So should the installation. Slate is highly desirable for its longevity and aesthetic elegance, and deserves careful craftsmanship in the installation. In fact, no matter what kind of roof we are installing, we pay attention to detail—including the custom fabrication of roofing accessories for your roof, from drip edges, valleys and caps, to all types of flashing.
Copper accessories (shown in the below photo) such as flashing, drip edge and even gutters are highly recommended. Copper is the longest-lasting material available and will enhance the natural beauty of your roof.
Comprehensive and efficient! We custom fabricate needed accessories right on-site, with our own professional pan former equipment. This brings a high level of efficiency to your project, reduces the time it takes to complete your roof and reduces the cost of project interruptions while waiting for needed materials.
Benefits of a Genuine Slate Roof
Natural, Aesthetic appeal
Long a favorite of architects, the visual presentation of a genuine slate roof is particularly appealing for its natural colors, textures and sense of strong, rugged protection. It ages beautifully never losing its great looks throughout its lifetime.
Longest lasting roofing material
Slate is natural stone! It can easily surpass a 100-year lifespan (see more below). It also requires little maintenance with its resistance to pests and bio-growth.
Strong, durable and waterproof
From cold to heat, dry to wet, genuine slate does not curl, shrink or deform. Slate’s physical stability protects your home better than man-made materials. It does not absorb water and is impervious to mold, mildew and insect infestation.
Unsurpassed hail resistance, fireproof
No roof will better withstand severe weather, particularly hail, than slate (see more below) Slate is 100% natural stone and does not burn. Genuine slate is rated Class A for fire resistance—the best rating there is.
Hurricane zone approved
Slate is heavy and non-flexible, so resistance to high winds is extraordinary. We install slate from Vermont’s own Greenstone Slate Company. Their top quality slate has been tested and approved for use in hurricane-prone areas such as Miami-Dade County Florida.
Environmentally friendly
Slate is a natural product. There are no environmental concerns about placing the stone back into the ground after its 100+ year lifespan. Its longevity can exceed five or more asphalt roofs, effectively keeping them out of a landfill.
Contributes to energy efficiency
Slate's density means it warms and cools slowly, which helps stabilize indoor temperatures and reduces heating and cooling demands. It also helps reduce infrared heating of indoor surfaces.
Increased Real Estate value
All of the exclusive benefits of slate, particularly longevity and aesthetic appeal can increase the value of the average home, so whether you goal is long term roof performance or investing in the value of your home, a slate roof can make sense.
All Fontaine slate roofs are installed with Vermont Architectural Slate from the Greenstone Slate Company
Greenstone Slate has been a leader in crafting Vermont roofing slate for well over half a century and has shipped slate all over the world for residential and institutional projects. 
Their quarries are located in the heart of what is known as the Slate Valley— a region primarily in Vermont, extending slightly into New York State. It is a region that is renown for producing some of the finest quality slate in the world. Greenstone Vermont slate provides the longest-term possible protection for any roofing or cladding project.
We are ready to answer any questions you might have about Greenstone Slate® or our slate installation process! Just send us a message. You can also learn more about Greenstone Slate at Greenstoneslate.com.
The Greenstone Slate® 100-Year Warranty
Vermont slate is the basis for the Greenstone roofing slate’s S1 (best) rating by ASTM International, an independent organization that sets standards for building materials. S1 roofing slate is rated to last 75 years. Greenstone Slate® exceeds that, in fact, Greenstone provides a 100-year warranty for its slate. See Greenstone's warranty terms for complet details.
Vermont Slate Colors and Blends
Vermont slate comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses and there are many popular color blends that we can recommend! Contact Fontaine Roofing & Siding to discuss color options and availability. Complete details about each Vermont slate color below can be found on the Greenstone Slate website
