Roof Tiles vs Slates: Comparing Costs, Lifespan and Looks
Re-roofing? This is the buying decision that determines how your home looks, what it costs, and when you will need to do it again. Concrete tiles are the cheapest but fade fast. Clay tiles look better with age. Natural slate lasts a century but costs double. Synthetic slate splits the difference. Each material has real trade-offs in cost per square metre, weight, appearance and planning constraints — especially in conservation areas. This guide is a straight material comparison to help you choose. For information on how long each material actually lasts in practice (and what shortens that lifespan), see our roof lifespan guide.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete interlocking tiles are the most widely used roofing material in the UK. Brands like Marley, Redland and Russell dominate the market.
- Cost - £25 to £40 per square metre for materials, £50 to £70 per square metre fully installed.
- Lifespan - 40 to 60 years. They lose their colour well before they fail structurally.
- Weight - Relatively heavy at around 42 to 48 kg per square metre. Existing roof structures can usually handle them, but check with older properties.
- Appearance - Functional rather than attractive. Available in various profiles (pantile, flat, double roman) and colours, though they all fade over time.
- Pros - Affordable, widely available, easy to source replacements, good fire resistance.
- Cons - Heavy, prone to moss growth, colour fades, not suitable for conservation areas or listed buildings.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles have been used in the UK for centuries and are still manufactured by companies like Dreadnought, Keymer and Tudor Roof Tiles.
- Cost - £40 to £70 per square metre for materials, £70 to £100 per square metre fully installed.
- Lifespan - 60 to 80 years and often longer. Some clay tile roofs have lasted well over a century.
- Weight - Similar to concrete at around 38 to 50 kg per square metre, depending on the tile profile.
- Appearance - Much more attractive than concrete, with a natural colour that actually improves with age. The surface develops a patina that many people find appealing.
- Pros - Beautiful appearance, very long lifespan, colour does not fade, accepted in conservation areas.
- Cons - More expensive than concrete, can be brittle, heavier plain tiles require closer batten spacing.
Natural Slate
Natural slate is the premium choice. Welsh slate is considered the finest, though Spanish, Brazilian and Chinese slates are also widely used in the UK.
- Cost - £40 to £100 per square metre for materials (Welsh slate at the top end), £80 to £140 per square metre fully installed.
- Lifespan - 80 to 100 years for good quality slate. Welsh slate can exceed 150 years. Cheaper imported slates vary enormously, some failing within 20 to 30 years.
- Weight - Lighter than tiles at around 25 to 35 kg per square metre, making it suitable for most roof structures.
- Appearance - Widely regarded as the most attractive roofing material. The natural variation in colour and texture gives a roof real character.
- Pros - Extremely long-lasting, lightweight, beautiful, fire resistant, recyclable.
- Cons - Expensive, skilled slater needed for installation, quality of imported slate is inconsistent, individual slates can delaminate.
Synthetic Slate
Synthetic or composite slates are made from a blend of recycite, limestone, resin or rubber. Brands like Tapco, Envirotile and Britmet are common in the UK market.
- Cost - £30 to £55 per square metre for materials, £60 to £85 per square metre fully installed.
- Lifespan - 30 to 50 years. A relatively new product, so long-term data is limited.
- Weight - Very light at around 10 to 20 kg per square metre. Ideal for structures that cannot support heavier materials.
- Appearance - Good from a distance, but most people can tell the difference up close. Some products are more convincing than others.
- Pros - Lightweight, shatter resistant, cheaper than natural slate, easy to cut and install.
- Cons - Does not age as well as natural materials, limited colour options, some products look artificial, may not be accepted in conservation areas.
The right choice depends on your budget, the style of your property and any local planning requirements. When in doubt, matching the existing roof material or what is common in your street is usually the safest bet. If you are in a conservation area or listed building, check our planning permission guide before committing to a material. For full replacement pricing including labour and scaffolding, see how much a new roof costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix tiles and slates on the same roof?
It is not common practice and looks odd in most cases. However, some properties do have different materials on different elevations, especially where extensions have been added over the years. If you are doing a full re-roof, matching everything to the same material gives a much better result.
Are second-hand slates worth buying?
Reclaimed slates can be excellent value, particularly Welsh slate which may have decades of life left. However, quality varies. Buy from a reputable reclamation yard, inspect the slates for delamination and expect some wastage. A good reclaimed Welsh slate is far better than a cheap new import.
Do I need to change my roof battens when re-tiling?
Almost always yes. Battens are relatively cheap (£3 to £5 per square metre) and if you are stripping the roof anyway, it makes no sense to put new tiles on old battens. The underlay should also be replaced at the same time.