Havertown, PA 19083

Slate roof replacement in Havertown, PA

Some of Havertown's older houses still have slate, or have slate hiding under a newer roof. When a slate roof is worn out, we remove it, bring the deck up to Haverford Township's sheathing minimums and install a new asphalt shingle roof.

Get a free estimate How estimates work

Slate removed to the deck
Replaced with asphalt shingles
Township permit rules followed

15-year workmanship warrantyCovers the installation, separate from the shingle maker's product warranty.
GAF shinglesWe install GAF roofing shingles.
Free inspectionRoof, attic, gutters and flashing, with a line-item quote.
Financing availableFinancing is available, including a 12-month no-interest option. Subject to credit approval. Terms vary; ask for details.
Permit-guidedWe walk you through the Haverford Township permit.

Is it actually slate?

Natural slate is split stone: heavy, with slightly uneven edges and a matte, layered face. Many mid-century roofs that look like slate are actually asbestos-cement shingles. Those are thinner, very uniform and often have a textured or patterned surface. The difference matters, because asbestos-cement material may contain asbestos and has its own handling rules.

Repair or replace a slate roof?

Slate can last a very long time, and a slate roof with mostly sound stone doesn't always need to come off. Leaks on a slate roof often trace to flashing, valleys or a few broken pieces rather than the slate itself. Replacement starts to make sense when many slates are flaking, soft or sliding across large areas, or when past repairs used mismatched materials. A hands-on inspection, not a photo, should make that call.

Have a slate roof that may only need repair? Contact us and we'll help you figure out next steps. If replacement is the answer, the rest of this page explains how we replace slate with asphalt.

Roofers in safety harnesses working on a steep slate roof

Why you can't roof over slate in Haverford Township

Can I put asphalt shingles over a slate roof in Haverford Township? No. Haverford Township's roof permit addendum states that a new roof may not be installed over slate, wood shake, clay, or cement or asbestos-cement tile. The slate has to be removed and the deck checked and sheathed to the Township minimum of half-inch on 16-inch rafters, or five-eighths with H-clips on 24-inch rafters.

Source: Roof Permit Application Addendum (V-02-2025). More in our permit guide.

Slate removal, decking and sheathing

Inspection and scopeWe confirm what the roof is made of, count any layers, check the attic and decking from below, and put the scope in writing.
PermitThe Township permit with roof addendum is issued and posted before work starts.
Slate tear-offSlate, old underlayment and old flashing come off down to the deck. Slate is heavy, so we plan for its weight and disposal.
Deck repair and sheathingSlate roofs often sit on spaced or board decking. We replace decayed boards and sheathe to the Township minimum: ½″ over rafters 16″ on center, or 5/8″ with H clips on 24″ centers.
Underlayment, ice shield and flashingIce shield at least 24″ inside the exterior wall line, drip edge, and new flashing at chimneys, walls and valleys.
New asphalt roofAsphalt shingles installed to the manufacturer's instructions, with ventilation sized to the Township's ratio.

Asphalt shingle options

Slate comes off and is replaced with GAF asphalt shingles, installed to the manufacturer's instructions.

Aerial view of a shingle roof with vents on a ranch house

Permits and historic homes with slate

Slate is common on older houses, and older houses are the ones most likely to be on the Township's historic resource Survey. The Township's historic preservation ordinance counts removal of any portion of a roof as an example of demolition for a listed resource (eCode360). If your house might be listed, check with the Zoning Officer before signing. Details in the permit guide.

Ready for a straight answer about your roof?

Book a free inspection and get a line-item estimate to review on your own time.

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Slate roof questions

Is a new slate or synthetic slate roof an option with you?

No. We remove slate and replace it with asphalt shingles. If you want to keep a slate roof, contact us and we'll help you figure out next steps.

Does replacing slate with asphalt need a Township permit?

Yes. It's a roof replacement, so it needs a Haverford Township building permit with the roof addendum. The addendum asks how many layers exist and confirms the no-roof-over rule for slate. See the permit guide.

Will my house need new sheathing after the slate comes off?

Often. Slate is usually laid on boards, sometimes spaced apart. The Township sets minimum sheathing sizes and has the applicant certify that decayed sheathing will be replaced, so we price decking per unit in the contract.

Sources

Haverford Township Roof Permit Application Addendum (V-02-2025) no roof over slate; sheathing; decayed sheathing; ice shield
Haverford Township Code, historic preservation (eCode360)

Last checked 2026-10-29.

Rules change. Confirm with Haverford Township Building & Codes before you rely on any Township detail here.

Get a slate replacement estimate

Tell us a little about the house and how you'd like us to reach you. We'll get back to you during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to set up a time to look at the roof in person.

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Form requests are answered during office hours.