Why Do Slate Roofs Have Spikes

The spikes break up the snow ice sheet as it falls past them.

Why do slate roofs have spikes.

Even green asphalt shingles have to be. Slate is not affected by fungus and mold nor does it rot. Slate roofs were introduced in boston as early as 1654 and philadelphia in 1699. Slate roofs can withstand high winds heavy snow and rain.

Asphalt roofing weighs double what the standard metal roof does. It is less destructive if it gets broken up on the way down. Metal roofing can t be stood on. They are designed to hold snow on the roof so that it won t avalanche off the roof possibly damaging decks shrubbery other property or even causing personal injury.

Those little spikes are there to break up sheets of ice and snow that will be falling off the roof this season. If the ice comes down in one solid sheet it is heavy and can damage property and hurt people. The idea is that they hold the snow up allowing it to gradually melt off your roof or fall in small harmless chunks. The strengths as mentioned above of slate roofs are the bane of many non slate roofs.

Along with being susceptible to many issues non slate roofs are much less environmentally friendly. A roof s support doesn t come from the roofing material it comes from the framing and finishing beneath the surface. Seventeenth century building ordinances of new york and boston recommended the use of slate or tile roofs to ensure fireproof construction. Fiber cement shakes slate and concrete tile tip the scales at three times the weight of metal roofs.