For over 150 years slate roofs have been used on all types of architecture in the United States. The roof on any structure is the most important part of the practical purpose of the design. It protects the contents and the occupants as well as the materials used, from rain, sleet snow, wind, heat and cold. A slate roof is fire proof and repairable. Repairable is the most important feature. In 50 to 70 years when the next generation has to assume the responsibility of maintenance, it is nice to hear a roofer say "I can repair the storm damage from a fallen tree branch (or the fire damage or whatever the unforeseen catastrophe). We do not have to replace the whole roof."

In years past roofers started a proud tradition. Contractors who respect the natural timeless beauty of slate and make little extra efforts to install it properly will take pride knowing they are operating at the top of their craft. They can be confident saying the typical service life of a slate roof is in excess of 75 years, even a hundred years.

Choosing a slate roof is comparable to picking an economy car that looses value fast or a luxury car that hold's it's value. Slate adds a touch of class to any type of architecture. It is fire proof, low maintenance, impermeable to moisture, resistant to acid, environmentally friendly and lasts a lifetime.

Penn Big Bed Slate Company has been manufacturing slate for roofs since 1934. We know the difference a rock in the right place can make. Call or visit us to see our variety of slate, the only natural rock that is readily available for your roofing needs.

Slate is made from natural rock, hand quarried, hand split and hand dressed. It carries the age-old charm of hand craftsmanship, which, in this era of synthetics and fabricated materials, is the ultimate distinction for any product.

Machinery cannot produce the charm of hand craftsmanship. The desire for antique furniture is just one analogy. Factory made furniture may be as artistically designed, as well made, and more comfortable than any antique, but when people vie with each other for a piece which is hand-crafted, it is charm and character they are buying. Slate is the only natural hand crafted roofing material. Two slate shingles can no more be exactly alike in texture than two leaves from the same tree. Therein lies the slates's charm and character.

Our slate runs to the blue/grey tones, the tones known as sky-color blends. These cooling colors furnish the contrast needed to bring out the full beauty in any building face. It is one of the most versatile of roofing materials lending itself to any style of lay dictated by the architecture of the building.

Variations of the blue-grey tones may produce solid color patterns or multicolored patterns of lay.

By varying widths you may also create desired patterns to compliment the building style. You may want to chose one of our slates that were imported from another country or mined in another state. A real slate is as versatile as it is strong, and slates from different quarries may be mixed in any combination.