Natural Slate Roofing, Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula
For more than 40 years, the Wells family has been working with natural slate, supplying and installing slate roofs across Melbourne and Victoria. That experience has shaped Wells Slate Roofing into what it is today — a specialist roofing business with a deep understanding of natural slate, traditional craftsmanship and the importance of doing the job properly.
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Tell us about the roof, the home and where you are in the project. We'll come back with honest, specialist advice.
- Natural Slate
- From Cupa Pizarras
- 100+yr
- Natural Slate lifespan
- Warranty
- Workmanship & Products Guaranteed
The material
An investment in a home for generations.
Natural slate has protected significant homes and buildings for centuries. Timeless in appearance and exceptionally durable, it brings a depth and character that manufactured roofing materials cannot replicate.
Each slate carries natural variation in colour, texture and surface, creating a roof that is unique to the home. Properly specified and installed, natural slate ages beautifully and offers an exceptionally long service life with relatively low maintenance — making it as practical as it is architecturally enduring.
- New slate roofing for architect-designed homes and quality new builds
- Complete re-roofing where an existing roof has reached the end of its serviceable life
- Contemporary slate roofing including larger formats, clean verges and refined detailing
- Heritage restoration undertaken with respect for the original character and detailing of the building
- Roof structure assessment to ensure the supporting structure is suitable for the selected slate roofing system
- Specialist detailing of flashings, valleys, ridges and junctions to support long-term roof performance
Why Wells
Quality natural slate matters.
Not all slate is the same. The quality and origin of the stone, how it has been selected and graded, and the experience of the people installing it all contribute to how a slate roof will look and perform over its lifetime. Wells Slate Roofing uses carefully selected natural slate suited to Australian conditions, including premium Spanish slate from Cupa Pizarras quarries.
We look for consistency, durability and natural character, while avoiding the quality issues that can lead to premature deterioration, staining or an uneven finish. Just as importantly, our slate is installed by experienced roofers who understand the material and the detailing required to get it right.
Legacy
A roofing legacy you can see.
Some of the best evidence of our work is already sitting on rooftops across Victoria. Our completed projects range from newly built architectural homes and heritage restorations to slate roofs installed decades ago that continue to perform and look beautiful today.
Our approach
From one generation to the next.
Wells Slate Roofing combines generations of roofing knowledge with a professional, considered approach to every project. From selecting the right slate and working through technical requirements to supply and specialist installation, our focus is on creating roofs worthy of the buildings they protect.
Natural slate. Specialist craftsmanship. Roofing for generations.
Investment
How a slate roof is priced.
Slate roofing is priced to the roof, the material, the access and the detail. We quote each project individually — here is what moves the number.
- Roof size and complexity — hips, valleys, dormers and penetrations all add labour
- Access — height, scaffold requirements and site constraints
- Slate grade and origin — premium Spanish slate costs more than lower grades
- Structural work — whether the existing frame can carry the load
- Ancillary detail — flashings, ridging, guttering and leadwork
Measured across its service life, slate is typically the cheapest roof a premium home can have. It is a one-off investment rather than a recurring cost — which is the frame worth holding when comparing quotes.
Our process
From first call to finished roof.
Six steps, each documented, so you always know where the project stands.
01Consult
We discuss your project, roofing requirements, preferred materials and any plans or specifications.
02Site inspection
We assess the roof or project onsite and bring relevant slate and tile samples so you can see the options in person.
03Quote
We provide a clear, itemised quotation based on the agreed scope, materials and project requirements.
04Scheduling
Once approved, we confirm your material selection, final details and installation timing.
05Installation
Our experienced roofing teams complete the works with careful attention to safety and workmanship.
06Warranty
All installations are backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty, with applicable manufacturer warranties also provided for the roofing products used.
Straight answers
Three common questions about slate roofing.
Repair, restore or replace?
Where the slate itself remains sound, restoration can often extend the life of the roof without the need for complete replacement. We assess the slate, fixings, flashings and detailing, then recommend the work the roof genuinely requires.
How does slate compare with other roofing materials?
Natural slate typically requires a greater upfront investment, but its exceptional durability and long service life can provide excellent whole-of-life value. It is also chosen for its natural character, architectural quality and ability to age beautifully.
Why choose Wells Roofing for slate?
Wells Roofing has specialised in slate roofing since 1982. We both source and install natural slate, giving us detailed knowledge of the material, its provenance, specification and the workmanship required for long-term performance.
Our guarantee
Backed in writing.
A premium roof is only as good as the promise behind it. Here is ours, in plain terms.
- Material warranty
- Premium natural Spanish slate carries a manufacturer's warranty measured in decades, not years. We supply the documentation with the roof, so the provenance and the cover are yours on paper.
- Workmanship warranty
- Our workmanship is covered by a written 7-year Wells Roofing warranty. If an issue is found to result from our workmanship, we will assess and rectify it in accordance with the warranty terms.
- Licensed & insured
- Wells Roofing holds the relevant registrations and insurances for the roofing work we undertake. Details can be provided as part of the quoting and contracting process.
- Documented handover
- On completion, we provide the relevant project documentation, which may include completed-work photographs, product information and applicable warranty details.
Common questions
Slate roofing questions, answered.
Are slate roofs expensive?
Natural slate costs more upfront than concrete or terracotta tile, but it is the cheapest roof per year of service life. A correctly installed slate roof lasts 100 years or more, so it is typically the last roof the home will ever need. Cost is driven by roof size and complexity, access, slate grade and any structural work required — not by a fixed rate per square metre.
How long does a slate roof last?
A quality natural slate roof, properly installed, lasts well over 100 years. The slate itself often outlives the fixings and flashings, which is why periodic restoration — rather than full replacement — is usually all an older slate roof needs.
Can you walk on a slate roof?
Slate can be walked on, but only by someone who knows where and how to step. Individual slates crack under point loading, and damage is often not visible until it leaks. Any access should be left to a slate specialist using proper roof ladders and load spreading.
Can you install solar panels on a slate roof?
Yes, but the mounting must be designed for slate. Standard tile hooks crack slates and create leak paths. We work with installers to specify slate-appropriate fixings and flash them correctly so the roof's integrity and warranty are preserved.
How much are slate roof tiles?
Natural slate pricing varies according to origin, size, thickness and specification. We supply Spanish slate from CUPA PIZARRAS, selected for its provenance, consistency and proven performance across architectural and heritage roofing projects.
Trade supply is available to architects, builders and roofing professionals. Contact us for current pricing, availability and lead times.
How do you clean a slate roof?
Gently, and rarely. Slate does not need chemical cleaning or high-pressure washing — both damage the stone surface and drive water under the laps. Moss and debris are best removed by hand or with low-pressure water by someone who can access the roof safely.
Can you paint slate roof tiles?
No. Painting or sealing natural slate traps moisture in the stone, causes delamination and voids any material warranty. If a slate roof looks tired, the correct answer is restoration — replacing damaged slates and renewing flashings and ridging — not coating it.
Related
Related slate work.
Have a project to price?
Send us your plans.
Heritage restoration, a new slate roof or an architect-specified build — send the plans or the roofing specification and you'll get a straight, specialist answer.
Specialist slate & tile roofing since 1982.
Prestige Slate & Tile Roofing Specialists — Since 1982