Working with both asphalt and slate daily gives our crews a perspective most homeowners never get. Here is what NJ roofing professionals actually think about these materials.
Durability in Real NJ Conditions
We replace asphalt roofs in Essex County that are only 15-18 years old, well short of the 25-30 year claim. The culprit is poor attic ventilation combined with NJ humidity, which bakes shingles from below while sun bakes from above. Slate roofs from the 1940s on the same street are often still perfect because natural stone is unaffected by heat cycling.
After every major storm in Essex County, our emergency calls are overwhelmingly for asphalt shingle damage. We rarely get slate emergency calls unless a tree has physically broken slates.
The Repair Equation
Asphalt repairs are cheap: $150-$400 for most patch jobs. Slate repairs cost $200-$600 per slate but are needed far less frequently. Over 30 years, asphalt cumulative repair costs reach $2,000-$4,000 while slate stays under $1,500.
The critical difference: asphalt repairs are temporary, patching aging shingles while surrounding material continues degrading. Slate repairs are permanent, a replaced slate lasts another century.
Contractor Perspective on Value
When our crew members buy their own homes in Essex County, the ones who can afford it choose slate. That tells you something about how contractors view the true value equation after careers working with both materials.
We install far more asphalt than slate because budgets dictate. We focus on specifying highest-quality shingles like GAF Timberline HDZ or CertainTeed Landmark Pro and ensuring proper ventilation to maximize lifespan in NJ conditions.
Contractors universally respect slate as the superior material. If your budget and structure allow it, slate is the best roofing investment in Essex County. If not, invest in premium asphalt with excellent ventilation.