If you are evaluating this type of option, you will be interested to know if it is better to use flat slate or ceramic tiles. A fairly common question and that is actually due to a confusion of words. We will explain their difference and the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
For starters, it is important to clarify that what is commonly called a slate tile is actually a piece of slate and not a tile. It is the natural product. But, of course, its aesthetics and shape can be imitated. Professionals in the sector usually use the term flat ceramic tile, on the one hand, and slate (without the tile) on the other.
Advantages and disadvantages of the flat slate tile
Ok, having clarified the above, it could be said that there is no slate tile. But there is this material that is very characteristic of roofs.
Slate is a natural piece, since it is a rock that has existed on Earth for more than 500 million years. It has been used for a long time to create roof coverings. It consists of a mixture of quartz, sericite and other minerals from the chlorite group and, to use it, you just have to mold the natural rock.
Although it is a fairly reliable material, our experience in the sector leads us to conclude that roofs that use slate end up having humidity problems. In addition, its maintenance is more expensive.
In view of the foregoing, the main advantage of the flat slate roof tile is aesthetics, while, as a disadvantage, it presents possible future humidity problems.
Advantages and disadvantages of the ceramic flat roof tile
The alternative to slate is the flat ceramic tile. It is a really effective solution that improves the natural version that it replaces, since it is built exactly to correct those defects.
Its main component is clay, which goes through a detailed and elaborate molding process. This includes crushing and mixing the clay, kneading it, extracting air, cutting it, drying it, painting it and, finally, boiling it.
All this process is done thinking about its future use as a roof covering, which is one of the great advantages of flat ceramic tiles. As for aesthetics, it is possible to find them with a slate look. This way you get the same result, but without any risk of possible humidity.
