Euroshield Slate Shingle Product Review: Are They Worth It In Seattle?

Do you love the unique look of a slate roof but worry that the cost, weight, and installation requirements of real slate make it unrealistic for your home? Have you come across Euroshield slate shingles as an alternative but aren’t sure whether a roof made from recycled rubber tires can actually look good, withstand Seattle’s weather, and last long enough to justify paying for a premium roofing product?

At RoofSmart, we’ve installed Euroshield on Seattle-area homes and have seen firsthand how the material performs in our climate, including how well it can hold up when a roof takes a direct hit from a falling tree. While Euroshield offers some impressive advantages, it also has limitations that make it a poor fit for certain roofs.

In this article, we’ll review Euroshield’s Vermont Slate and Rundle Slate shingles, including their appearance, durability, impact resistance, lifespan, maintenance requirements, environmental benefits, installation limitations, and cost. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether Euroshield slate shingles are the right fit for your Seattle-area home.

What are Euroshield slate shingles, and what are they made of?

Euroshield shingles are made of recycled rubber tires. They are designed to imitate the look of slate tiles and cedar shakes (but the focus of this article is on the slate imitation options).

Euroshield has two slate shingle options: Vermont Slate and Rundle Slate. Both look the same, but the Rundle Slate is a bit heavier.

Euroshield Slate Shingles: Quick Product Review

What are the advantages of installing Euroshield slate shingles?

Euroshield slate imitation tiles are strong and durable. I often recommend them to customers because they hold up well and are great at protecting your roof in the Seattle weather.

 Here’s an overview of the benefits that Vermont and Rundle Slate offer:

• Great curb appeal: Euroshield slate has a unique and distinctive look. Slate is not a common roofing material in the Seattle area, so choosing Euroshield’s slate option immediately makes your roof stand out. It’s a good choice for homeowners who want a roof that looks different than everyone else’s, or even if you’re just looking to elevate your home’s curb appeal.
• Less expensive than real slate: Real slate is a very expensive material on its own, but the high shipping and labor costs for installation make it hard to justify the total price. Euroshield’s slate shingle options cost significantly less.
• Less heavy than real slate: Slate tiles are very heavy, and installing them on your roof can often require that you reinforce the framing. Euroshield slate shingles weigh a lot less than slate and can be installed on standard roof framing.
• Excellent impact resistance: Since Euroshield is made of rubber, its slate shingles are incredibly bouncy and durable. It holds up really well in a Seattle windstorm where trees get knocked over, and branches fly around. In fact, we’ve even seen a roof with Euroshield slate get hit by a falling tree and cost significantly less.

• Eco-friendly: Euroshield slate roofing is made using recycled rubber tires and is made of 95% recycled material. In addition, once it’s time to remove it from your roof, it can be recycled. It is one of the most eco-friendly roofing material options on the market.
• Long lifespan: Euroshield slate shingles have an expected made of 95% recycled material, which is twice as long as asphalt shingles are expected to last in Seattle weather.
• Easy maintenance: The rubber material that Euroshield slate shingles are made of is grippy to walk on, making it a safer option for walking on the roof to get rid of debris.
• Not impacted by moisture: Euroshield slate shingles are made mostly of rubber, which does not absorb moisture. Unlike asphalt shingles, you can let wet debris sit on your Euroshield shingles without worrying about them deteriorating due to extra moisture.

What are the cons of installing Euroshield slate shingles?

Euroshield shingles do have plenty of benefits, but no roofing material has only pros. It’s important to be aware of the full picture before choosing a roofing material.

With that in mind, here are the potential downsides of installing Euroshield slate roofing:

• Not meant for low slope: Euroshield slate products shouldn’t be installed on slopes below 4/12. Putting it on a low slope can cause leaks or make the roof fail because debris can build up in keyways, causing water to migrate sideways and potentially find a nail hole.
• Expensive: Euroshield slate shingles are not the cheapest option. They cost less than real slate tiles, but they’re a premium product, so they cost more.
• More technical installation: Euroshield slate shingles can take a little longer to install than asphalt shingles, but that’s because they require a higher level of expertise to be installed.

When are Euroshield slate shingles right for your roof?

Although Euroshield slate shingles are a great product, they aren’t always the right fit for everyone. Take a look at the criteria listed below to help you determine if Euroshield slate shingles might be right for your roof.

 I typically recommend Euroshield’s slate products to homeowners who want a cool, unique roof with easy maintenance and great impact resistance. Other materials may have some of these features, but Euroshield products offer them all at once.

Euroshield slate shingles are a good fit for your roof if:

• You want to elevate your roof’s curb appeal
• You want a roof that stands out
• You’re worried about roof damage during a storm
• You want a roof with easy maintenance
• You like the look of slate, but want a lower-cost option
• You prefer an environmentally friendly roofing material

Euroshield slate shingles are a bad fit for your roof if:

• You want the most affordable roof option possible
• You don’t like the look of slate

Are Euroshield slate shingles worth it on my Seattle roof?

Euroshield slate shingles can be worth installing if you want the unique appearance of slate without the weight and expense that come with installing real slate. Their impact resistance, long lifespan, low maintenance requirements, and resistance to moisture also make them particularly appealing for homeowners concerned about how their roof will perform in Seattle’s wet and stormy weather.

However, Euroshield isn’t right for every home. It’s a premium roofing product that requires an experienced installer, and shouldn’t be installed on roof slopes below 4/12. If keeping your roof replacement as affordable as possible is your priority, there are less expensive materials to consider.

Read our article “Pros and Cons of Euroshield: Is It Right For My Seattle Roof?” to dive deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of Euroshield roofing shingles that you should consider before deciding whether Euroshield is right for your Seattle-area roof.