Texture is another characteristic that differentiates roofing slates. It is a term used to describe both the surface features of an individual piece and the overall appearance of a roof.

Texture of a Piece

Standard (smooth textured) slates have a more consistently planar surface and uniform thickness. Medium to heavily textured slates typically have surface features, an uneven surface and/or thickness variation within each piece. A slate that is 3/16" thick on one side edge and 3/8" thick on the other, for example, would be considered a textured slate. When these slates are installed the uneven surfaces create lots of shadow lines and provide more character than one using standard slates.

Texture of the Roof

Roof texture is the cumulative effect of using textured slates, thick slates, or installation techniques to produce a desired effect. Sometimes roof texture is created using slates of different thickness classes. Thicker slates installed randomly and sparingly on a roof can serve as accents and produce an uneven surface. Texture can also be achieved by using thick slates throughout the roof. The edges of the thick slates stand proud of the slate surface and indicate mass and bulk. Graduated slate roofs represent a very custom textured design that creates the sense of long rafters and a vanishing point at the ridge. Often these roofs utilize large and thick slates at the eave and thinner and smaller slates on subsequent courses, but a textured appearance is possible by using standard slates (1/4" - 3/8") throughout and simply adjusting the sizes. See Roof Styles and Patterns.