Customer Reviews

The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing and Restoring the World's Finest Roof (The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition)

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A complete education about slate roofs is the only description that seems appropriate for this book. "The Slate Roof Bible" not only covers the various types of slate, installation techniques, and other items you would expect but also the history of slate roofing, slate quarrying, and other information. With photographs or illustrations on almost every page it is easy to understand the techniques as well as everything else discussed. With the knowledge in this book you can easily create the impression of being an authority on slate and slate roofs. "The Slate Roof Bible" is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who wants to gain a thorough education on slate and slate roofs.

This book is a tremendous resource on the benefits of slate and why it creates a beautiful roof. The color photographs alone make it clear why all hard slate roofs should be maintained as local/regional treasures. After reading "The Slate Roof Bible" the roof moves to the foreground whenever evaluating a building's appearance. Unfortunately too few understand the long-term asthetic and function of slate roofs, and many beautiful older homes have been downgraded with installation of asphalt roofs. This fine book not only covers all aspects of slate roof installation and maintenance, but also provides help on other projects (gutters, chimneys, etc) while you're up there :-) Read this book and discover the "secret" of slate...

I work for a roofing company that specializes in slate. I can tell you from experience that this book is indeed full of very good tips on preserving what is, imho, the very best roof covering a person can possibly have on his or her home. Mr. Jenkins is absolutely correct in his assertations that bemoan the 'artificial roofing" we tend to use in this country. The history and the tips expressed are an invaluable resource to those of us who appreciate the natural beauty and durability of a slate roof. My commendations on a fine effort.

Who knew one could get so excited about slate roofing. After reading this book, I am so motivated to tackle the roof on my house. Everywhere I walk now my head is pointed upwards to look at the slate on roofs. My father always told me that slate lasts 100 years - but never did I imagine it could last up to 400! The most interesting thing about this book is the geology of slate. Mr Jenkins clearly shows his experience but also his passion for this type of roof - which is more than a roof- it's a piece of architectural history. The book appropriately enough starts with a poem - because slate can truly inspire poetry. My only criticism is that in his passion for slate, Mr. Jenkins occasionally slights terne roofing. Being in a barn, garage or gazebo under a terne / tin roof during the rain is just as poetic as slate. I remember looking for books on terne roofing, a skill which thankfully my father passed on to me, and found in some complete guide to roofing (sic) that 'metal is no longer an acceptable roofing material because of the noise it makes during rain'. My God - they just don't get it. Tthe poetry of rain on a tin (or slate) roof. Pity the people who have never heard that soothing, lulling sound.

During the 1990's, I purchased an old house in Pittsburgh Pa. It has the original slate roof from the 1920's. I was new to slate roof ownership but knew that they were of higher quality and much more durable than the common asphalt roofs preferred by most roofing contractors. For the most part, my roof was in good condition and had been maintained over the years. It was now up to me to maintain this beautiful old roof. But slate roof maintenance isn't a do-it-yourself type job. I talked to a couple of contractors and they all had different opinions on what I should do with this old roof. At that point, I decided that I needed to do some research on slate roofs. I went online and read all about slate. It was here that I stumbled on Joe's book. I ordered a copy and read it cover to cover in a couple of days. After reading the book, I had a couple of questions. I emailed them to Joe and he provided a quick reply. The book is now a valuable title in my home reference library. After reading the book, I was much better prepared to evaluate the recommendations of my local roofing contractors and have found a roofer who has the skills to maintain this exceptional old roof. You really need to be able to "talk slate" with a contractor if you want the maintenance done right. Were it not for Joe's book, I would have probably torn the slate off and installed a 10 yr asphalt roof. I am also in the process of building a new house. I hope to put a slate roof on the new house using the guidelines from the "Slate Roof Bible".

This book by Joe Jenkins is one of a kind. It's a comprehensive, kalidoscopic, multi-faceted tome that everyone interested in architecture, construction, or design must read. One is duly impressed by the encyclopedic knowledge and obvious love and care Mr. Jenkins has brought to his subject. The photos are outstanding and lead you to the conclusion that slate roofs are truely a work of art. This book not only explains the history of slate (as if that weren't enough), but it also devotes the last half to giving practical instructions on how to preserve slate roofs. It argues convincingly that the loss of slate roofs in favor of inferior materials reflects a lowering of aesthetic (and economic) values. After reading this book, you'll want one yourself, and if you already have one, you'll know how to preserve it. The writing is folksy, down home, and humorous, as if Jenkins were pontificating to you from the top of a cathedral as he's replacing a tile. As an example of Jenkins' elevated taste, he opens the book with a phenomenal poem that encapsulates in musical language the poetry of slate. Leaving no slate unturned, the poem artfully recreates the spiritual and aesthetic resonances that slate suggests. The poem is worth the price of the book itself, as is the creative cover by Tom Griffith. All in all, no house with a roof should be without it.

Frankly, I wish all home improvement/do-it-yourself books were this detailed. This is a thorough explanation on durable roofing--for the professional, the do-it-yourselfer, or the consumer just looking for information.

The somewhat hefty price tag of this newly updated and expanded second edition of this "how-to" guide may limit The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing And Restoring The World's Finest Roof to professional architects, constractors, and roofers, but it definitely a not-to-be-missed specialized reference. Packed with over three hundred color photos, The Slate Roof Bible is the core reference of the slate roof industry, covering everything to know about installing, restoring and maintaining a slate roof. Highly recommended.

This book is a comprehensive compilation of slate roof information. It provides a great synopsis on the history of slate roofing as well as ideal information on the preservation, repair, and application of slate roofs. After reading just about everything out there on slate roofing, this is my favorite because it not only provides excellent information on what to do, it also tells you what NOT to do and why. -E.J. Sandquist, RoofHelp.com

If the reader wants a roofing book that will answer questions, explain processes, avoid pitfalls, educate, entertain, and finally leave you wondering why anyone would roof with a non-slate material, this is the book. During a construction project I was overwhelmed with conflicting roofing information. I heard more reasons as to why something couldn?t be done than how it might be. Everyone wanted the ?asphalt? approach even though asphalt shingles were not being used. I stumbled onto Joe Jenkins and The Slate Roof Bible while searching for slate information. I sent Joe an email asking for help. He suggested first reading the book. I bought the book and loved it. Then, I bought one for the contractor (I highly suggest doing this). Joe?s book has saved me falling into the normal pitfalls that await a building owner when getting only information from a roofing contractor. I am now the proud owner of a lifetime beautiful slate roof. Thinking of slate? This is a must read book.