Slate that outlives another century
Most slate roofs in Greater Boston are not worn out. Their copper nails, flashing and underlayment are. We restore the roof you have before anyone talks about replacing it.
How we approach it
A well-quarried Vermont or Pennsylvania slate can last 125 years or more. What fails first is almost always the fastening: iron nails rust through, felt underlayment turns to powder and valley flashing wears thin. That is why a leaking slate roof is usually a restoration job, not a tear-off.
Our slaters survey every course, sound individual slates with a hammer, and tag the pieces that can be salvaged. Broken and delaminating slates are replaced with reclaimed stock matched for color, thickness and weathering from our yard in Dorchester, which holds more than 40 pallets of sorted salvage slate.
The process, step by step
First
Survey
Rope-access or staging survey, slate sounding and a marked-up roof plan with a salvage count.
Then
Sourcing
We match slate from our reclaimed yard or order new quarry stock with a matching fade profile.
Next
Restoration
Slates are stripped in sections, underlayment renewed, then re-laid by hand with copper fasteners.
Finally
Flashing and close-out
Copper flashing is fitted and soldered, the roof is walked, photographed and documented.
Why homeowners choose us for this
Keep the original roof
Restoration typically costs 35 to 60 percent of a new slate roof and preserves original material.
Commission friendly
Like-for-like slate work is usually approved at staff level in Boston historic districts.
Documented condition
Every slate we replace is logged, which helps with resale, insurance and future repairs.
Crews who only do slate
Our slate crew has an average of 19 years on steep roofs, most trained in-house.
What affects the price
Every roof is measured and priced in writing. These are the factors that move the number most.
| Factor | How it affects cost |
|---|---|
| Slate condition | Soft or delaminating slate raises the replacement count and material cost. |
| Roof pitch and height | Steep mansards and three-story rowhouses need staging or rope access. |
| Flashing scope | Full copper valley and chimney re-flashing adds soldering time. |
| Slate origin | Welsh and unfading green slate are scarcer and priced higher than Vermont gray. |
Sample price range
$18 to $42 per sq ft of restored area (sample range)
Ranges are illustrative for this demo site. Your written estimate follows a free inspection.
Slate Roof Restoration: common questions
If more than about 80 percent of the slates ring solid when tapped and are not flaking at the edges, restoration is almost always the better value. Our survey gives you the exact salvage count.
Usually, yes. We keep reclaimed Vermont, Buckingham and Welsh slate sorted by color and thickness, and we mock up a patch on the ground for you to approve before it goes on the roof.
Only when a homeowner asks and the local commission allows it. On contributing historic buildings we recommend natural slate, and so do most review boards.
Talk to us about slate work
A free photo inspection, a straight answer on repair or replacement, and a written estimate within the week.
Licensed and insured in Massachusetts. No-pressure estimates (sample).