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Sustainable Roofing

How slate, tile, metal, shingles, thatch, and green roofs compare over a roof's whole life

4 min readUpdated November 2026

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Think in decades

Roof coverings look similar on a per-square-metre carbon table, but they can differ greatly over the life of a building. Replacing a roof roughly doubles the carbon of the covering, so lifespan, transport, and repairability all matter. If an existing roof can be repaired, or its slates and tiles reused, start there.

The main options

The suitable choice also depends on the roof's pitch, its structure, local character, and planning constraints.

  • UK slate

    Strengths
    Short transport, can last a very long time
    Trade-offs
    Higher cost, limited supply
    Check
    Quarry, grade, fixings

  • Imported slate

    Strengths
    Wider availability and lower price
    Trade-offs
    Transport can be significant, durability varies
    Check
    Origin, BS EN 12326 test results

  • Reclaimed slate or tile

    Strengths
    Reuses existing material
    Trade-offs
    Variable condition and supply
    Check
    Remaining life, matching sizes, fixings

  • Clay tile

    Strengths
    Long track record
    Trade-offs
    Kiln energy
    Check
    Origin, frost resistance, lifespan

  • Concrete tile

    Strengths
    Often lower cost
    Trade-offs
    Cement content, usually heavy
    Check
    EPD and transport

  • Fibre cement slate

    Strengths
    Light and consistent
    Trade-offs
    Carbon varies by source, shorter track record
    Check
    EPD, warranty, end of life

  • Zinc, steel, or aluminium

    Strengths
    Light, durable, suits low pitches
    Trade-offs
    High primary production impact
    Check
    Recycled content, take-back, coating

  • Timber shingles

    Strengths
    Biobased and light
    Trade-offs
    Fire limits, durability varies by species
    Check
    Species, treatment, and boundary distance

  • Thatch

    Strengths
    Biobased and locally rooted
    Trade-offs
    Fire, insurance, and regular upkeep
    Check
    Local thatcher, insurance, and fire details

  • Green roof

    Strengths
    Water attenuation, biodiversity, and cooling
    Trade-offs
    Adds load, depends on its waterproofing
    Check
    Structure, membrane, and maintenance

What the slate research shows

A study commissioned by Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland shows why origin matters. Production impacts of slate products were often in a similar range, but transport varied widely. It also found that long-life UK slate may avoid a full replacement even over a 120-year period, while other products have a shorter record in UK conditions.

  • UK slate

    Production
    About 9.0, from older UK data
    Transport to the UK or site
    Under 0.5

  • Slate from Spain

    Production
    Mostly around 4 (range 3.0-11.1)
    Transport to the UK or site
    1.5-3.0 by sea, 4.9-8.1 overland

  • Slate from Brazil

    Production
    No direct data
    Transport to the UK or site
    9.6-11.1

  • Slate from China

    Production
    No direct data
    Transport to the UK or site
    20.9-22.4

  • Concrete tile

    Production
    9.1
    Transport to the UK or site
    1.5-7.5

  • Clay tile, German

    Production
    7.2
    Transport to the UK or site
    Not separately given

  • Fibre cement

    Production
    6.8 (Belgium), 16.2 (Ireland)
    Transport to the UK or site
    Not separately given

Indicative kgCO2e per m2, normalised by the study. Other sources use different assumptions, so don't compare across studies.

Note. Around 70% of roofing slate used in the UK comes from Spain, according to the industry article summarising this research. Ask for the quarry, not just the country.

Details decide how long a roof lasts

Failed fixings rather than failed slates often bring a slate roof to the end of its life, so specify fixings that match the covering's expected lifespan.

  • Check the roof structure can carry the proposed weight, particularly if replacing a lighter covering or adding a green roof.
  • Follow minimum pitch and headlap requirements for the location. BS 5534 is the UK code of practice for slating and tiling.
  • Check underlay and roof ventilation against the insulation strategy, especially on retrofit.
  • Consider copper or stainless fixings and durable flashings on long-life roofs.
  • Plan for access and repairs, including how individual slates can be replaced.

Fire and planning

Many roof coverings meet external fire requirements without testing. Approved Document B refers to Commission Decision 2000/553/EC for these products. Thatch and wood shingles are treated differently: if their performance cannot be established, they are regarded as EROOF(t4), which limits how close they can be to a boundary.

In conservation areas and on listed buildings, a like-for-like or locally appropriate covering may be needed. Check with the local planning authority before specifying a change.

Questions to ask suppliers

These answers make products easier to compare fairly.

  • Where is it quarried or manufactured, and how does it reach site?
  • Is there an EPD, and does it cover transport and replacement assumptions?
  • What service life is expected in this exposure, and what does the guarantee cover?
  • What are the fixings and accessories, and do they last as long as the covering?
  • Can the product be reused or taken back at end of life?

Using Matera

Look for suppliers close to your project, and ask for quarry or factory location, test results, and lead times. If appearance matters, check a sample against the local roofs.

Sources

Where the facts in this guide come from. Standards and guidance change, and some sources are suppliers or trade sites, so check the original before relying on a detail.

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