Knowledge Base · Installation & What to Expect
Can You Replace a Slate Roof With Metal?
Yes — replacing an old or failing slate roof with metal is common and often wise. Metal slate-look shingles restore the appearance at a fraction of slate's weight, easing structural strain, and they won't crack like aging slate. The old slate is removed (you generally should not roof over it), the deck is assessed and repaired, and lightweight metal is installed.
Technically reviewed by Scott Plumptree, Director of Marketing · Updated 2026-07-12
At a glance
- Yes — swapping a worn slate roof for metal slate is common and usually a smart move
- Metal keeps the slate look while cutting roof weight dramatically, relieving the structure
- You generally should not lay metal over old slate — the slate is removed first
- Metal ends the cracked-tile repair cycle and adds hail resistance and a lifetime warranty
Can you replace a slate roof with a metal roof?
Absolutely, and many homeowners do exactly this. Aging natural slate eventually delaminates and cracks, tiles slip, and repairs grow costly as matching stone becomes scarce and few installers still work in slate. Replacing it with a metal slate-look system keeps the historic appearance the home is known for while solving slate's problems: the new roof is a fraction of the weight, will not crack under hail or foot traffic, and comes with a transferable lifetime warranty. It is one of the most popular reasons people turn to metal slate.
Can you put a metal roof over an existing slate roof?
Generally no — and this is an important distinction. Unlike going over asphalt shingles, you should not simply lay metal on top of old slate. Slate is thick, heavy, uneven, and brittle, so it does not provide the flat, sound substrate a new roof needs, and leaving it in place keeps all that weight on the structure. The correct approach is to remove the old slate, inspect and repair the wood deck beneath, add fresh underlayment, and then install the lightweight metal roof over the prepared deck.
What are the benefits of switching from slate to metal?
Several, and they compound. The biggest is weight: shedding 8–15 pounds per square foot of slate for roughly half a pound of aluminum dramatically relieves the framing, which is often welcome on an older home. You also end the endless cracked-and-slipped-tile repair cycle, gain a UL 2218 Class 4 hail rating, add a reflective finish that trims cooling costs, and get a lifetime warranty — all while keeping the slate look. For a home whose slate is failing, metal slate preserves the character and fixes the headaches at once.
What should you expect when replacing slate with metal?
Plan for a careful tear-off and a specialized crew. Removing slate is heavier, slower, and more delicate work than stripping asphalt, and the old stone must be disposed of properly. Once the slate is off, the installer inspects the deck, replaces any rotted sheathing, and lays new high-performance underlayment before installing the metal slate shingles and flashing. Because the job spans slate removal and precise metal installation, it is work for an experienced metal-roofing team. Our guides to what to expect during installation and tear-off versus overlay cover the process.
Common questions
Is it worth replacing a slate roof with metal?
For many homeowners with failing slate, yes. Metal slate preserves the look while ending costly, hard-to-source slate repairs, cutting roof weight, adding hail resistance, and carrying a lifetime warranty. If your slate is sound and you value the genuine stone, keeping it may be right — but once slate starts failing, metal is often the more sensible long-term investment.
Does replacing slate with metal reduce the load on my house?
Dramatically. Natural slate weighs roughly 8–15 pounds per square foot; aluminum metal slate weighs around half a pound. Removing slate and installing metal can take many thousands of pounds off the roof, meaningfully relieving the rafters and framing — a real benefit on older structures.
Will a metal roof keep the slate look after replacement?
Yes — that is the point of metal slate. Shingles stamped from real slate molds and finished in authentic slate tones preserve the home's historic appearance from the ground, so the character is retained while the fragility, weight, and repair problems of natural slate are left behind.
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