Argyle is one of the few towns in Denton County where you still see real estate homes on real acreage: stone and stucco houses set back behind long drives and old oaks, with a guest house, a barn or an arena out back. A lot of those homes were designed to look like they’d wear slate. Some do. Many wear a slate-look shingle or a composite slate instead. And every year I meet owners building new or reroofing who aren’t sure which way to go.
I’m Blake Snow. I’ve been roofing for 30 years in a family roofing business that goes back 75 years, I’ve personally installed slate, tile, copper and standing seam roofs many times over, and our crews have completed over $80 million in roofing projects. Our Rhome office is about 15 road miles from Argyle. Here’s how I help Argyle owners decide between natural slate and synthetic slate, and what to watch for whichever one you pick.
The short version
- New custom build: price natural slate. You can frame for it from day one, and it can outlast the house.
- Reroof on a home framed for shingles: synthetic slate or Enviroslate usually gives you the look without structural work. Natural slate is possible, but only after the framing is checked and, if needed, reinforced to an architect’s spec.
- Existing natural slate roof: repair it if the stone is sound. Most slate roofs fail at the flashing and fasteners, not the stone.
- Hail and wind are real here. NOAA lists 62 reports of golf-ball hail or larger within about 10 miles of Argyle since 2016. Build the roof, whichever you choose, for that.
- The rest of the property matters. Porches, bays, outdoor kitchens, barns and shops often look best in standing seam pulled from the slate color.
Natural slate, synthetic slate, or slate-look shingles
When someone in Argyle says “slate roof,” it can mean three very different things:
| Natural slate | Synthetic slate (composite) | Slate-look designer shingle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Quarried stone, split by hand | Molded polymer or composite pieces | Layered asphalt shingle cut to look like slate |
| Weight | Heavy; depends on thickness (see below) | Light; roughly in shingle range | Light |
| Life | Good stone can outlast several sets of flashing | Set by the maker’s warranty and the install | Set by the maker’s warranty |
| Hail | Thick stone holds up well, but very large hail can crack it | Many brands publish UL 2218 Class 4 | Some lines publish Class 4 |
| Framing | Often needs checking and reinforcing on a reroof | Usually none on a home built for shingles | None |
| Repairs | Matched stone, slate hooks, copper flashing | Matching pieces from the same maker and line | Matching the line, if it’s still made |
| Best fit in Argyle | New custom builds and homes already wearing stone | Reroofs where you want the look without the weight | Tighter budgets or HOA-driven choices |
The first thing we do on any slate call is tell you which one you actually have. A lot of slate repair goes wrong because the crew guessed. See slate roofing, synthetic slate, slate-look shingles and our full guide to synthetic vs. real slate.
Weight and framing: new custom build vs. reroof
Weight is the single biggest fork in the road, and the numbers are bigger than most people expect.
- Natural slate depends on thickness. Greenstone’s grade chart runs from about 680 to 780 lbs per square (100 square feet) for 1/4-inch slate, 1,200 to 1,600 lbs for its 3/8- to 1/2-inch Architectural Grade, and 2,500 to 3,000 lbs for 3/4-inch and thicker Estate Grade.
- Enviroslate is published by Enviroshake at about 275 lbs per square.
- DaVinci Multi-Width Slate is listed at 262.4 to 348.5 lbs per square, depending on exposure, in DaVinci’s tech sheet.
- Brava slate is listed at 310 lbs per square at its maximum exposure in its ICC-ES report.
On an Argyle estate roof with a lot of squares, going from synthetic to thick natural slate can add many tons to the structure.
On a new custom build, that’s a design decision, not a problem. If you want natural slate, tell the architect and framer before the plans are final so rafters, decking, ridge support and the load path down to the foundation are designed for stone. We can get an architect to spec the roof, or we can build to your plans.
On a reroof, the house was almost always framed for shingles. Before anyone quotes natural slate, the attic needs to be looked at: rafter size and spacing, sag, decking thickness and condition, and how the ridge and hips are carried. When a job needs it, we bring in an architect to spec the reinforcing. If the framing isn’t a fit for stone, synthetic slate or Enviroslate gets you the look on most homes without changing the structure.
If you’re looking at stone, see where natural slate comes from and my post on Greenstone, Evergreen and Cupa slate.
Which way should you go?
| Your situation | What I usually recommend | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New custom home, slate is part of the design | Natural slate, framed for it from the start | Longest-lived roof you can buy, and framing for stone is simplest before the house is built |
| Reroof, house framed for shingles, you want the stone look | Synthetic slate or Enviroslate | Look of slate without adding a slate-sized load |
| Reroof, you want real stone and the attic checks out | Natural slate with reinforcing to an architect’s spec | Possible, but only after the framing is confirmed |
| Existing natural slate, a few broken pieces or leaks | Repair: matched stone, new copper flashing | Sound slate is worth keeping; leaks are usually at the flashing |
| Existing natural slate, much of the stone soft or flaking | Partial or full reslate, or synthetic if framing is a concern | Worn-out stone won’t hold a repair |
| Old composite slate that’s discontinued or failing | New synthetic slate or Enviroslate | Matching discontinued composite is often not possible |
| Low porch, bay, outdoor kitchen or guest house | Standing seam or copper in a color pulled from the slate | Slate needs a steeper pitch than many low roofs have |
For repair vs. replacement on an existing stone roof, see slate roof repair and my post on natural slate repair vs. replacement. For brand-by-brand composite specs, see Brava vs. DaVinci synthetic slate.
Enviroslate on Argyle homes
Enviroslate is Enviroshake’s composite slate, and we’re certified with Enviroshake. It’s a strong fit for an Argyle reroof where the owner wants a slate look on a stone or stucco house that was framed for shingles. Enviroshake publishes it at about 275 lbs per square with a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, and says it has to be installed by a Factory Trained Installer for the warranty to be valid. If your house leans more toward a shake look, the same company’s Enviroshake fits ranch-style and Hill Country homes on acreage. See Enviroshake roofing and Enviroshake in Argyle.
Hail around Argyle
NOAA’s Storm Events Database lists 62 reports of hail 1.75 inches (golf-ball size) or larger within about 10 miles of Argyle from 2016 through its latest 2026 update. Storms that hit the town itself or came close:
| Date | What NOAA lists |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2017 | 2.75-inch hail in Argyle. NOAA’s narrative says amateur radio reported baseball-size hail, driven by severe thunderstorm winds, knocking out car windows in Argyle. |
| June 11, 2023 | 1.75-inch hail in Argyle, 3.5-inch hail near Bartonville about a mile and a half away, and 4.25-inch hail near Bartonville about five miles away |
| March 14, 2024 | 2.5-inch hail in Argyle |
| April 1, 2024 | 3-inch hail near Smoots, under three miles west of Argyle |
What that means for slate:
- Natural slate: thicker stone holds up better. Very large hail can still crack it, and wind-driven hail hits hips, ridges and the storm side hardest.
- Synthetic slate: check the maker’s published UL 2218 rating, and read the warranty for hail limits. Some warranties exclude hail above a set size.
- Insurance: Texas insurers have to offer a credit for UL 2218 rated roofs, but each company sets the amount. Ask yours in writing before you choose.
- After a storm: our free digital photo report separates fresh breaks from old ones and from breaks caused by foot traffic, which is what an adjuster needs to see. Texas claims generally have to be filed within 1 year from the date of loss; check your policy. See storm damage in Argyle.
Wind on open acreage
Argyle lots are big and open, and wind finds edges. NOAA lists a measured 86 mph gust west of Double Oak, about four miles east of Argyle, on May 28, 2024, and on March 2, 2023, trees and power poles were knocked down in Argyle. On a slate roof, I pay the most attention to:
- Fastening at the edges: eaves, rakes, hips and ridges are where wind gets under a roof. Every piece fastened to the maker’s spec, with ridge and hip pieces set for wind.
- Underlayment: a high-temperature, self-adhered membrane at valleys, eaves and penetrations, so wind-driven rain has a second line of defense.
- Copper or stainless fasteners and hooks on natural slate, so the nails don’t rust out long before the stone.
- The other buildings. Barns, arena covers and shops take wind first. We roof those in standing seam or R-panel in 24 or 26 gauge from our own roll formers, typically with a 1 to 2 week lead time on metal.
Flashing, valleys and the details that make slate last
Natural slate can last for generations. Cheap flashing won’t. On a slate roof we plan copper valleys, step flashing, chimney flashing and counter-flashing built to last as long as the stone, and we keep copper away from steel and aluminum to avoid corrosion. On synthetic slate, we follow the maker’s details for valleys, hips and transitions, because the warranty depends on it. See copper flashing, valleys and gutters on slate and tile.
HOA and architectural review
A lot of newer Argyle-area neighborhoods, including those around Lantana and Canyon Falls, have HOAs with architectural review, and the rules differ from one neighborhood to the next. Before you order anything:
- Get your HOA’s current guidelines and ask whether natural slate, composite slate and slate-look shingles are treated the same.
- Expect the committee to look at color, profile and how it reads from the street. A composite with a crisp edge can look very different from split stone.
- Bring manufacturer product sheets and a physical sample, not just a brochure photo.
- Get approval in writing before materials are ordered.
Town of Argyle permits and contractor registration
- The Town of Argyle’s permits page says permits are required before the new construction, addition, alteration or repair of existing buildings and structures, and applications go through the town’s online portal.
- All contractors have to register with the town before working within town limits, every year: $125 the first year and $50 to renew. The town’s permit FAQ says registration needs a certificate of insurance with at least $500,000 in coverage.
- The town’s list of permit examples doesn’t spell out roofs, so the scope should be confirmed with Argyle Permits at (940) 464-7273.
- Argyle has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 International Building Code with local amendments.
- Check the address. A lot of property with an Argyle mailing address is outside the town limits, and those rules are different.
What drives the cost of a slate roof
I won’t put a number on a slate roof without seeing it, and you should be careful of anyone who does over the phone. These are what move the price:
- Material: natural slate thickness and source, or which composite line.
- Framing: reinforcing for natural slate on a reroof, and whether an architect’s spec is needed.
- Roof complexity: turrets, dormers, hips, valleys, steep pitches and multiple levels.
- Flashing metal: copper vs. painted steel or aluminum, and how much of it there is.
- Tear-off: removing an old slate or tile roof is heavier work than removing shingles.
- Underlayment and ice-and-water membrane coverage.
- Access and staging on large lots, steep slopes or tall walls.
- Other roofs on the property you want done in the same contract.
Before you sign: 12 questions for any slate bid
- Is this natural slate, synthetic slate or a slate-look shingle, and what exact product and color?
- For natural slate: what thickness and grade, and from which quarry?
- Has someone checked my rafters, decking and ridge support? Will an architect spec any reinforcing?
- What is the weight per square of the product you’re quoting?
- What fasteners and hooks will you use: copper, stainless or something else?
- What metal for valleys, step flashing and chimneys, and what gauge?
- What underlayment, and where does self-adhered membrane go?
- How are the eaves, rakes, hips and ridges fastened for wind?
- What is the product’s published hail rating, and what does the warranty say about hail?
- Are you trained or certified by the maker where the warranty requires it?
- Who handles the town permit, and are you registered with the Town of Argyle?
- What are the manufacturer and workmanship warranties, in writing?
Nearby towns
We repair and install slate across southern Denton County and the north side of DFW, including Bartonville, Lantana, Northlake, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Flower Mound and Justin, plus slate roofing in Roanoke. For Argyle specifically, see slate roofing in Argyle, tile roofing in Argyle and metal roofing in Argyle.
Let’s look at your roof
We’re certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Tropical Roofing Products, Mule-Hide and Enviroshake, and many other roof manufacturers. Snow Roofing & Exteriors is fully insured, is BBB A+ rated, and has 5.0 stars on Google at all three offices: Bridgeport, Decatur and Rhome. References are available on request. Our workmanship warranty runs from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job.
Call (817) 733-9228 or request an estimate, and we’ll check what’s on your roof now, look at the framing, and lay out natural slate, synthetic slate and Enviroslate side by side for your Argyle home.
