Slate to asphalt · cost
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Slate Roof with Asphalt?
Published prices for slate work in Philadelphia disagree with each other, sometimes inside the same article. Here is what each source says, why they differ, and which numbers fit a slate-to-asphalt job.
- Every figure linked and dated
- Not a quote
- Free inspection for a real price
How much does it cost to replace a slate roof with asphalt shingles?
A Pennsylvania guide from RoofVista (March 2026) puts architectural asphalt shingles at $5.30 to $7.42 per square foot installed, or about $8,000 to $25,000 per project. Taking slate off adds cost; Angi lists old-roof removal in Philadelphia at $1,030 to $3,080. Deck work on old houses is the biggest swing.
None of those figures is specific to your house. Roof area, pitch, the number of chimneys and dormers, and how much of the board deck needs work move the price more than the shingle line does. We price those items separately on a written estimate after a free inspection.
Why do published slate roof costs disagree so much?
They disagree because they measure different jobs. Some quote a single slate fix, some a section of flashing and some a whole new slate roof. Angi's Philadelphia page even gives an $8,620 average beside a size table of $20,600 to $41,100 for a 2,000-square-foot roof, apparently mixing small jobs with full replacements.
Read the unit before the number: per slate, per square foot, per square (100 square feet) or per project. Then check the date and whether tear-off and flashing are included.
What each source says (all third-party estimates)
Figures as published. Dates are the publishers' own; every page was read on October 29, 2026.
| Source (date) | Asphalt replacement | New natural slate roof | Single slate / small fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angi, Philadelphia (Oct 5, 2026) | Not given on this page | $15.50–$31 per sq ft; $20,600–$41,100 for 2,000 sq ft | $310–$1,540 small jobs |
| RoofVista, Pennsylvania (Mar 26, 2026) | $5.30–$7.42 per sq ft architectural; $8,000–$25,000 per project | $15–$30 per sq ft; $27,000–$54,000 for 1,800 sq ft | $150–$500 per slate |
| Adilay Roofing, Philadelphia (Sept 20, 2026) | Not given on this page | $25,000–$60,000 | $400–$1,500 per slate; $3,000–$8,000 flashing or a section |
| Industrial Roofing, Philadelphia (Aug 8, 2022) | Not given on this page | $25,000–$80,000; $15–$35 per sq ft | Not given |
These are published third-party estimates and public fee schedules, dated where the publisher dates them. Not a quote; your price comes after a free inspection. Full list with links: roof cost data (CSV).
How much does it cost to replace one slate?
Published Philadelphia-area figures for replacing one slate range from $150 to $500 per slate (RoofVista) to $400 to $1,500 (Adilay), and Angi lists small slate jobs at $310 to $1,540. Most of that is access, safety and flashing work, not the slate itself, so two broken slates rarely cost twice what one does.
We don't do single-slate work. If that is what your roof needs, send the form anyway and we'll point you to a slate specialist; the fix-or-replace guide explains how to tell.
What moves the price of a slate-to-asphalt job
- Slate removal. Slate is heavy and slow to strip and haul. Careful removal for salvage costs more than demolition.
- Deck work. Board decks under slate are often gapped. Sheathing over the boards adds material and labor across the whole roof.
- Flashing and chimneys. Each chimney, wall and valley needs new flashing; masonry repairs are separate.
- Built-in gutters. If box gutters are lined or rebuilt at the same time, that is its own line item.
- Approvals. A historic review adds time and drawings or photos, not usually a large fee, but it can change the shingle chosen.
- Tax and permits. Angi notes 8% sales tax in Philadelphia on materials; the city's residential re-roofing permit fee is listed on our rules page.
Cost questions
Is replacing slate with asphalt cheaper than a new slate roof?
Does a slate-to-asphalt estimate include the permit?
Sources and checked date
- Angi, How much does a slate roof cost in Philadelphia (updated Oct 5, 2026) accessed Oct 29, 2026
- RoofVista, Historic slate roofing in Pennsylvania (Mar 26, 2026) accessed Oct 29, 2026
- Adilay Roofing, Philadelphia slate cost guide (Sept 20, 2026) accessed Oct 29, 2026
- Industrial Roofing Contractors, Philadelphia slate roofing cost (Aug 8, 2022) accessed Oct 29, 2026
Last checked 2026-10-29.
Get a written slate-to-asphalt estimate
Tell us where the house is, how old the roof is and what it is doing. If you have photos, say so and we will ask for them by email. Outside our core area? Send the form and ask.
We answer form requests Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. There is no phone line, so the whole conversation stays in writing.