The cost of slate shingles ranges from $500 to $1700 per square, depending on the durability, color, and thickness you choose. The expense of slate roofing reflects the dangers and difficulties in mining the stone, and the labor-intensive requirements to manufacture the slabs into shingles. Natural-slate tiles come in two types, hard and soft. Hard tiles are more durable, but you pay for it upfront. Choosing the less expensive soft-slate tiles will cost you more over time on repair and replacement in order to maintain your slate roof’s integrity and beauty. The cost of slate tiles also varies based on two categories of color: weathering and permanent shades. Over time, the exposed surface of weathering shades will change to grey, brown, or rust. Permanent shades do not fade and can cost up to 25 percent more than weathering. The price of slate tiles increases with each thickness: standard ¼-inch, rough ¼ to ⅜-inch, architectural ⅜ to ½-inch, heavy ½ to ¾-inch, and the most costly, estate, at ¾-inch. It is important to know that other materials, like underlayment, drip edging, and special tools, will add an additional $100 per roofing square.