Slate roof A slate roof is a roof made from slate, a type of metamorphic rock which is highly durable, making it very suitable for roofing. The biggest advantage to installing a slate roof on your home is the appearance. Slate roof tiles are made of 100% natural stone, and have a naturally cleft surface with beautiful color variation ranging over the entire roof. Slate roof tiles are also extremely durable, outlasting the buildings they are installed on in some cases. In fact, installed and cared for properly it is not unheard of for a slate roof to last 150 years or more. Roof tiles are also fireproof and environmentally friendly.