For a Roof in Old Westbury, N.Y., a Singular Slate From England

A wonderful article. I worked my way thru college doing roofing in suburban NJ. I could never master the art of slate roofing, though, so my boss put me on the jobs where asphalt shingles were being used. Now, many years later, I own a 135 year old home with a gorgeous slate roof. Our slate comes from quarries in Vermont near the NY state line. Over the years, very few slate have had to be replaced. I'd estimate that 95% of the roof is original slate.

Excellent story: I'm about done replacing the original slate roof on an 1870's church that's my weekend residence. Could not bring myself to install asphalt. Slate is painfully expensive -- but gorgeous for an old house lover. Interesting to see how this slate is combined with mortar for proper install -- so, it's not only old buildings destroyed by not using true lime mortal. Shame -- the original roof should have lasted so much longer. I'm surprised they are using a waterproof Grace underlayment with the new ... trapped moisture? Before other materials became widely available, slate was a regional material. It was too difficult to ship ... labor to quarry and install low. My building was clad with PA blue black slate -- it has iron ribbon contamination and will eventually fail. Today, only the best slate is worth the trouble to quarry -- Labor being the lions share of the cost. I used a non fading black slate from Virginia that can last 100's of years ... Jefferson used it. I'm going to make a point to get over and see this roof .. Thanks NYT !

This was an excellent well- researched article. Even better, it follows so well the long running Times "Streetscapes" weekly series in the past. I recall that was written by Christopher Grey. Judging by the comments. many other readers enjoyed this article too.

Did I miss that naughty $ thing here everyone is asking from word one?

This is just a feel-good article - something special in a time when things like this are rare I suspect. And being from California - check out one of the pictures of the Gladding McBean decorative elements. They were major providers of architectural terra cotta across the US (and even in the far east) at the turn of the century until the 1930's. (From beaux arts to art deco!). Still in business in Lincoln, CA, they are now being called upon to repair the weather-related damage to these 100 yr old architectural decorations that make these buildings such beauties.

A wonderful house and gardens open to the public. The house also appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, “North By Northwest,” as the home where Cary Grant faces the first of many perils.

Regards the original choice: Why would anyone use limestone as roofing material, especially as thin "slates"? Lime stone absorbs water, and it has little shear strength. I guess this is like the Lincoln Center buildings clad in that porous marble, which is a limestone. Think Lincoln Center learnt its lesson after 45 years? No. Examine the new pink granite paving stones for the plaza which have little shear strength and also absorb water. Then even if the old mine reopened why use the stuff that will fail again? Now, there is geopolymer concrete which can be made based on the same lime stone: that's at least entirely water proof and even though it may not have great shear strength at that thickness, the "slates" could be replaced during yearly maintenance, as is done with real slate roofs.

Fabulous article. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you!

We had to remove our slate roof when it was about 90 years old. The slate was in good condition, but the nails had rotted.

Many thanks Mr. Gill for this brilliantly written article. The old trades, like art forms, are to be respected and hopefully rejuvenated especially for lovely places like Westbury House and the like. The article also resonated as I live in a landmark building of 1928 and fully appreciate all aspects of a slate roof, although not the sumptuous Collyweston, and its inherent perils.

Great article. Beautiful project. Beautiful house. I hope to be able to see it some day. It is said that money can't buy happiness, though perhaps it's fair to say it can create beauty.

Closer to home, we had a slate center in Bangor, PA, between Easton and Stroudsburg. Today, there remains huge piles of unusable pieces. The color was more of the prosaic gray and not nearly as attractive as that used at Westbury.

When I moved to Nashville a few years ago, I was driving around and getting to know my new surroundings. I came upon a house not far from mine and the sight of it made me slam on my breaks. It’s a replica of Old Westbury Gardens. I went home and researched it. The house was built less than 20 years ago. Not as grand as the original and certainly without the gorgeous slate roof. But pretty impressive.

I don't need to ask how much that new roof is- it has to be the prettiest one I have ever seen in my life. I hope the two roofers, so far from home, are treated to an exquisite dinner in that home when they're done.

One of my favorite places for a stroll -- the grand but surprisingly comfortable house, the gardens, the dog cemetery. Wonderful that the quarry reopened and the house will get its new roof.

Great article. Thanks for going into detail about the installation process. It left me wanting to know more. Well done.

This is truly lovely. The slate is mouth wateringly pretty. For a few moments I imagined them on my decidedly un-grand house. I’m always happy to read about traditional things like this being revived. It makes a really worrisome world seem much more hopeful, and beautiful. When I bought my house I did not think ahead to how the sloping land around the house would complicate replacing the roof, and the roofers all wore sturdy safety gear. I see no safety harnesses on the roofers in this article. Surely they would not be doing the job without them.