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Phox Elements
PIKESTONE ROOFING · CHOOSING A ROOF

Slate, clay or zinc, measured side by side.

Figures are for a typical 60 m² terrace roof in 2026, stripped and fitted by us with new battens and membrane. In each row the best of the three gets the full bar and the other two are drawn in proportion to it.
Slate, clay tile and zinc roofs compared
The brand bar marks the best of the three in each row, and the row label says which it is.01SlateWelsh, nailed to battens02Clay tileHandmade plain tiles03ZincStanding seam sheet
Fitted costLowest wins: clay£118 per m²£96 per m² (best of the three)£142 per m²
Expected lifeLongest wins: slateAbout 100 years (best of the three)About 70 yearsAbout 60 years
Weight on the raftersLightest wins: zinc25 kg per m²70 kg per m²7 kg per m² (best of the three)
Lowest pitch it suitsShallowest wins: zinc20°35°3° (best of the three)
Looks right onNo winner hereVictorian terraces, chapels and stone cottagesCottages, barns and anything with a steep roofExtensions, dormers and low modern roofs
OUR VERDICT

Slate for most old houses round here. Zinc for anything under 20°.

Clay costs least to fit, but it puts nearly three times the weight of slate on the rafters. If you want it, we check the timbers before we quote.