By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
A slate metal roof is built from metal slate shingles: aluminum or steel panels press-formed from slate patterns, such as Interlock Metal Slate (0.019-inch aluminum, about 41 pounds per square) and EDCO ArrowLine Slate (28-gauge steel, about 0.90 pounds per square foot). HomeGuide prices metal slate at $600 to $1,400 per square installed, against $15 to $30 per square foot for natural slate in our 2026 cost report, and the metal versions weigh a tenth or less of 1/4-inch stone at 935 pounds per square.
What is a slate metal roof?
A slate metal roof is metal roofing shaped to replicate the dimensional look of natural slate tiles. Makers press aluminum or galvanized steel into interlocking shingle panels with slate texture and multi-tone color: ICC-ES report ESR-1790 (reissued September 2026) describes Interlock’s shingles as cold-press-formed 0.019-inch aluminum or G90 steel with slate, cedar, smooth or woodgrain patterns pressed into the surface.
Named metal slate products include Interlock Metal Slate, EDCO ArrowLine Slate and Classic Metal Roofing Systems Oxford Shingle. Stone-coated steel brands are a separate category: DECRA lists Tile, Shingle XD and Shake XD profiles, and Westlake Royal’s Unified Steel lists Barrel-Vault Tile, Cottage Shingle, Granite-Ridge Shingle, Pacific Tile and Pine-Crest Shake, so neither publishes a dedicated slate profile. Standing seam and corrugated panels are also metal, but they do not read as slate.
Metal slate shingles compared by maker
| Product | Metal and thickness | Weight | Wind and hail | Warranty | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interlock Metal Slate | 0.019 in 3105-H24 aluminum, 70% PVDF (Alunar) coating | About 41 lb per square | 120 mph warranted wind; UL 2218 Class 4; ASTM E108 Class A (assembly) | Limited lifetime, transferable | Interlock product page; ICC-ES ESR-1790 |
| EDCO ArrowLine Slate | 28-gauge G90 galvanized steel, Kynar 500 / Hylar 5000 PVDF | About 0.90 lb per sq ft (90 lb per square) | Tested to 200 mph; UL Class 4 impact | Lifetime non-prorated limited (material and labor); 30-year fade | EDCO; Best Buy Metals ArrowLine listing |
| Classic Metal Roofing Oxford Shingle | 0.024 in aluminum panels, up to 99% recycled | 40 lb per square | Four-way interlock, clip-fastened | Transferable lifetime limited; 10 colors | Classic Metal Roofing Systems |
| Unified Steel (stone-coated, shingle profiles) | Stone-coated steel | About 1.5 lb per sq ft (150 lb per square) | 120 mph; Class 4 hail and Very Severe Hail rating | 50-year limited, transferable | Westlake Royal, via our Westlake Royal review |
Types of metal roofing that looks like slate
Three product types cover nearly every slate-look metal roof. Pressed aluminum shingles (Interlock, Classic Oxford) are the lightest at about 40 pounds per square and do not rust. Pressed steel shingles (EDCO ArrowLine) use 28-gauge G90 galvanized steel at about 90 pounds per square. Stone-coated steel adds a granular surface at about 150 pounds per square but is sold in shingle, shake and tile profiles rather than a slate profile.
| Type | Weight | Finish | Example brands | Installed cost per square | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressed aluminum shingle | About 40 to 41 lb per square | PVDF painted, slate texture | Interlock Metal Slate, Classic Oxford Shingle | $670 to $1,600 | HomeGuide metal shingle roof cost; maker pages |
| Pressed steel shingle | About 90 lb per square | PVDF painted, stamped slate edge | EDCO ArrowLine Slate | $600 to $1,400 (metal slate) | HomeGuide metal roof cost; Best Buy Metals |
| Stone-coated steel | About 150 lb per square | Granular, matte | DECRA, Unified Steel (shingle and shake profiles) | $700 to $1,300 | HomeGuide metal roof cost; Westlake Royal |
Aluminum suits coastal and high-salt sites because it does not rust; HomeGuide notes its lighter weight makes it easier to damage than steel. Steel costs less per square, and ArrowLine’s G90 coating carries 0.90 oz of zinc per square foot of sheet. Stone-coated steel trades the sharp slate edge for a granular texture that muffles rain noise. For a wider view of panel and profile options, see our guide to metal roofing types.
How much does a slate metal roof cost?
A slate metal roof costs about $600 to $1,400 per square installed ($6 to $14 per square foot), with materials at $300 to $500 per square, per HomeGuide’s metal roof cost guide. Aluminum shingles run $6.70 to $16 per square foot installed per HomeGuide’s metal shingle guide. On a 2,000 sq ft roof that is roughly $12,000 to $28,000 for steel metal slate, against $30,000 to $60,000 for natural slate. For the shingle and shake stamps, our metal shingle roof cost breakdown prices each type per square.
| Roof material | Installed cost per sq ft | Per square (100 sq ft) | 2,000 sq ft roof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt architectural shingle | $5 to $8 | $500 to $800 | $10,000 to $16,000 | TRB 2026 cost report |
| Metal slate (steel) | $6 to $14 | $600 to $1,400 | $12,000 to $28,000 | HomeGuide metal roof cost |
| Aluminum shingles | $6.70 to $16 | $670 to $1,600 | $13,400 to $32,000 | HomeGuide metal shingle roof cost |
| Stone-coated steel | $7 to $13 | $700 to $1,300 | $14,000 to $26,000 | HomeGuide metal roof cost |
| Synthetic composite slate | $12 to $20 | $1,200 to $2,000 | $24,000 to $40,000 | TRB 2026 cost report |
| Natural slate | $15 to $30 | $1,500 to $3,000 | $30,000 to $60,000 | TRB 2026 cost report |
Tear-off adds $100 to $300 per square for old roof removal in HomeGuide’s cost factors, which is why an overlay matters on the bid. IRC R908.3.1.1 allows a re-cover over one existing asphalt layer but not over two or more layers or over slate or tile, and metal shingles need a slope of at least 3:12 (IBC 1507.5.2; IRC R905.4.2 for houses). For broader context across materials, see our 2026 roofing material lifespan report.
Slate metal roof vs real slate
Metal slate wins on weight, price and hail ratings; real slate wins on rated lifespan and close-up authenticity. Natural slate weighs about 700 pounds per square at 3/16 inch and 935 at 1/4 inch per North Country Slate, while aluminum metal slate weighs 40 to 41 pounds and ArrowLine steel about 90. Slate is brittle and can crack from a misstep during a later repair; metal slate products carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings.
| Factor | Slate metal roof | Natural slate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight per square | 40 to 90 lb (150 lb stone-coated) | 700 lb (3/16 in) to 1,405 lb (3/8 in) | Maker pages; North Country Slate |
| Installed cost per sq ft | $6 to $14 (steel); $6.70 to $16 (aluminum) | $15 to $30 | HomeGuide; TRB 2026 cost report |
| Rated life or warranty | Lifetime limited warranties (Interlock, EDCO, Classic) | ASTM C406 Grade S1: over 75 years | Maker warranties; ASTM C406 |
| Hail rating | UL 2218 Class 4 (Interlock, ArrowLine) | Standard thickness not Class 4 rated | Maker pages |
| Minimum slope | 3:12 | 4:12 | IRC R905.4.2; IRC R905.6.2 |
| Re-cover over old roof | Over one asphalt layer | Not allowed over slate | IRC R908.3.1.1 |
Real slate can outlast the building, which is why it stays on historic and landmark homes. At 9.35 psf for 1/4-inch slate, it nearly fills the 10 psf dead-load column of the IRC rafter span tables on its own, while aluminum metal slate adds about 0.4 psf. A slate metal roof gives the same silhouette without the structural bill.
Slate metal roof vs synthetic composite slate
Synthetic composite slate is the closest rival to metal slate for buyers who want the slate look without the weight. DaVinci Roofscapes Multi-Width Slate, a molded polymer, weighs about 225 pounds per square with a Class 4 impact rating, per our Westlake Royal review, so it is heavier than metal slate but far lighter than stone. Composite reads more convincingly as slate from close range because it copies the thickness and irregular edge.
Metal slate holds an edge on weight and price: $6 to $14 per square foot installed for steel metal slate (HomeGuide) versus $12 to $20 for synthetic slate in our 2026 cost report. Composite holds an edge on close-up realism and a quieter surface. Buyers deciding on the composite route can compare options in our guide to composite synthetic roofing versus real slate.
Weight, hail rating, and going over an existing roof
The light weight of a slate metal roof drives most of its practical advantages. At 40 to 90 pounds per square it adds under 1 psf, so it rarely triggers structural upgrades and can often go over one existing shingle layer. Interlock and ArrowLine both carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings, which some insurers credit in hail-prone states.
- Confirm the load path. Even at under 1 psf, probe the deck for rot before an overlay; soft or delaminated sheathing must be replaced first.
- Check the hail rating. Ask for the UL 2218 Class 4 listing for the exact product and color, then ask your insurer whether it gives an impact credit.
- Verify overlay is allowed. IRC R908.3.1.1 bars a re-cover over two or more existing layers, over slate or tile, and over water-soaked or deteriorated roofing.
- Ask about the wind rating. Interlock warrants 120 mph and EDCO says ArrowLine was tested to 200 mph; match the rating to the design wind speed your building department lists in IRC Table R301.2(1).
Metal slate can reach Class A fire ratings as an assembly: ESR-1790 classifies Interlock’s panels as Class A when installed with self-adhered underlayment. For homeowners weighing other metal profiles, our comparison of metal roofs that look like shingles covers the shake and shingle stamps alongside slate.
Pros and cons of a slate metal roof
A slate metal roof fits homeowners who want the slate look and a light load on a roof of 3:12 or steeper, and who accept that it will not fool an inspector at arm’s length the way real slate or thick composite can. Weigh the trade-offs below against the HomeGuide and TRB price ranges.
- Pro: Light weight, 40 to 90 pounds per square, so no reinforcement and a possible overlay.
- Pro: UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings and Class A fire assemblies, with lifetime limited warranties from Interlock, EDCO and Classic.
- Pro: Costs about 53 to 60 percent less than natural slate installed ($6 to $14 vs $15 to $30 per sq ft).
- Con: Costs about 1.2 to 1.8 times architectural asphalt ($6 to $14 vs $5 to $8 per sq ft).
- Con: Less convincing than real or composite slate at close range.
- Con: Thin aluminum (0.019 to 0.024 in) is easier to damage than steel, per HomeGuide.
Stone-coated steel narrows the realism gap with its granular surface but is sold in shingle, shake and tile profiles such as DECRA Shingle XD, not slate. Aluminum versions do not rust, an advantage within sight of salt water. Compare the granular route directly in our breakdown of DECRA stone-coated metal roofing.
Is a slate metal roof worth it?
A slate metal roof is worth it for homeowners who want the slate silhouette and Class 4 hail ratings without the structural cost of quarried stone. It makes the most sense where framing cannot carry 7 to 9 psf of real slate, in hail regions, and where a long ownership horizon justifies paying 1.2 to 1.8 times asphalt pricing.
| If your situation is… | Choose | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Framing sized to the IRC 10 psf dead-load column | Metal slate | Under 1 psf vs 9.35 psf for 1/4-inch natural slate |
| Home within sight of salt water | Aluminum metal slate (Interlock, Classic Oxford) | Aluminum does not rust; steel relies on its G90 zinc coating |
| Hail-prone area, insurer offers impact credits | Metal slate with a UL 2218 Class 4 listing | Class 4 is the top UL 2218 class |
| Roof pitch between 3:12 and 4:12 | Metal slate, not natural slate | Metal shingles allowed from 3:12; natural slate needs 4:12 |
| Historic district requires real stone | Natural slate | Check the district’s material rules before bidding metal |
| Budget is the deciding factor | Architectural asphalt | $5 to $8 per sq ft vs $6 to $14 for metal slate |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a metal roof that looks like slate?
Yes. Metal slate shingles are aluminum or steel panels press-formed with a slate pattern and finished in multi-tone PVDF colors. Named products include Interlock Metal Slate (0.019-inch aluminum), EDCO ArrowLine Slate (28-gauge steel) and Classic Metal Roofing Systems Oxford Shingle (0.024-inch aluminum).
How much does a metal slate roof cost?
About $600 to $1,400 per square installed ($6 to $14 per square foot) for steel metal slate, with materials at $300 to $500 per square, per HomeGuide. Aluminum shingles run $6.70 to $16 per square foot installed. On a 2,000 sq ft roof that is roughly $12,000 to $28,000 for steel metal slate.
How long does a metal slate roof last?
Makers back metal slate with lifetime limited warranties: EDCO ArrowLine carries a lifetime non-prorated limited warranty with a 30-year fade warranty, and Interlock and Classic offer transferable lifetime limited warranties. Natural slate graded S1 under ASTM C406 is rated for more than 75 years.
Is metal slate better than real slate?
Metal slate is better on weight, price and hail ratings; real slate is better on rated lifespan and close-up authenticity. Metal slate weighs 40 to 90 pounds per square versus 700 to 1,405 for natural slate, and costs $6 to $14 per square foot installed versus $15 to $30.
Can you put a metal slate roof over existing shingles?
Often yes. IRC R908.3.1.1 allows a re-cover over one existing asphalt layer if it is not water-soaked or deteriorated, but not over two or more layers or over slate or tile. The roof also needs a slope of at least 3:12 for metal shingles, and the deck must be sound.
Metal slate or synthetic composite slate, which is better?
Metal slate is lighter and cheaper; composite slate looks more convincing up close. DaVinci Multi-Width Slate weighs about 225 pounds per square versus 40 to 90 for metal slate, and synthetic slate runs $12 to $20 per square foot installed versus $6 to $14 for steel metal slate.