The slates or tiles on your roof are your property's first line of defence against the Irish weather. Choosing the right material and having it installed by experienced professionals is critical to achieving a roof that looks great, performs reliably and lasts for decades. Westlink Roofing and Guttering has been slating and tiling roofs across Athlone, Westmeath and the wider Midlands for over 27 years, and we take immense pride in the quality of our work.
Slate Roofing
Natural Slate
Natural slate is the finest roofing material available and has been used on Irish homes and buildings for centuries. Quarried from natural stone, each piece is unique in its texture and tone, giving a natural slate roof an unmistakable character and beauty that no manufactured product can truly replicate.
Key benefits of natural slate:
- Exceptional lifespan — a quality natural slate roof can last 100 years or more with proper installation and maintenance
- Timeless appearance — natural slate improves with age, developing a subtle patina that enhances the character of any property
- Fire resistant — slate is a natural, non-combustible material
- Environmentally sound — a natural product with a long lifespan and minimal processing
We source natural slate from reputable quarries and can match existing slate on period properties for partial re-slating and repair work.
Fibre Cement Slate
Fibre cement slate offers an excellent balance of appearance, performance and value. Modern fibre cement products are manufactured to closely replicate the look of natural slate while offering several practical advantages:
- Lighter weight — reduces the load on your roof structure, which can be particularly beneficial when re-roofing older properties
- Consistent sizing — factory-produced slates are uniform in thickness and dimensions, allowing faster and more efficient installation
- Cost-effective — typically 30–50% less expensive than natural slate, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious projects
- Durable — a well-installed fibre cement slate roof will provide 40–60 years of reliable service
Tile Roofing
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles remain one of the most popular roofing materials on Irish homes built from the 1960s onwards. Available in a wide variety of profiles (flat, low-profile and bold-roll) and colours, concrete tiles offer good durability at a competitive price. They are heavier than slate, which means the roof structure must be designed or verified to carry the additional load. We install all major brands and can match existing tiles on neighbouring properties for housing estate renovations.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are a premium choice that weathers beautifully over the decades. The rich, warm tones of fired clay — from deep reds and burnt oranges to mellow buffs — add real character to a property. Clay tiles are commonly seen on period homes, churches and prestige developments. They offer excellent longevity (80–100 years), are fire resistant and require very little maintenance.
Re-Slating and Re-Tiling
If your existing roof covering is reaching the end of its life, a full re-slate or re-tile can transform both the appearance and the performance of your property. Our re-roofing process includes:
- Careful removal and disposal of the existing covering
- Inspection and repair of roof timbers, battens and any rotten or damaged structural elements
- Installation of breathable roofing membrane to the current building regulations standard
- Fitting new battens at the correct gauge for the chosen slate or tile
- Laying the new covering, including all cut pieces at valleys, verges and around penetrations
- Bedding and pointing ridge tiles with modern, flexible mortar systems
- Installing or renewing all lead flashings at chimney stacks, walls and valleys
- Checking and replacing fascia, soffit and guttering where needed
Ridge Tiles and Dry Ridge Systems
Ridge tiles cap the apex of your roof and are one of the most exposed and vulnerable elements. Traditional mortar-bedded ridges can crack and fail over time due to thermal movement. We offer both traditional bedding and modern dry ridge systems. Dry ridge uses mechanical fixings rather than mortar, providing a maintenance-free solution that is resistant to wind uplift and will not crack or crumble.
For expert roof slating and tiling across the Midlands, call Westlink Roofing on 085 224 5900 or request your free quote online. We serve Roscommon, Offaly, Longford and Laois alongside Athlone and Westmeath.