Lightweight slate redefines what’s possible

By Jenny Yu.  

READYSLATE’s redesigned slate system delivers durability, sustainability and efficient installation.  

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, Lauren White of The Coffee Shops™ had a chance to visit the READYSLATE® booth and speak with Jason Rynd of the Vermont Slate Company, READYSLATE's manufacturer. Jason highlighted a growing shift toward lightweight, high-performance alternatives in roofing. 

“There’s nothing else like it in the market,” Jason said of READYSLATE. “It’s real slate in a lightweight system that also has the highest hail rating you can get.”  

With traditional slate weighing about 1,000 pounds per square in a traditional installation, READYLSATE comes in at approximately 550 per square, opening the door to a broader range of applications. “Anything under 600 pounds is considered lightweight, so that gets us into a whole new market,” Jason explained. 

To achieve the unique feat of a lightweight material with impressive durability, the Vermont Slate Company made several key adjustments over the past year based on contractor feedback and the manufacturer’s own research and development efforts. “We've reduced it to four pieces of slate rather than six, so our panel is much smaller now,” Jason said. “It’s easier to maneuver on the roof, lighter. Crews are able to install it at about two-thirds the time it usually takes on a traditional slate install, so it’s more efficient.” 

In addition to advancing efficiency on the jobsite, sustainability was a main focus in the redesign. “We also took all the asphalt out of the backer that creates our panel. It's just an HDPE plastic backer now,” Jason noted. “It doesn't get much greener than slate; it's rock from the earth. By taking the asphalt out, it's even more natural.” The system also boasts a Class 4 hail rating and Class A fire rating, helping meet stringent building and insurance requirements.  

So far, the market response has been extremely positive. “All of the product sold out before we even got it here!” Jason expressed. “We can’t keep it in stock right now, which is a great problem to have.” 

Watch the full interview to learn more about READYSLATE and how it is reshaping the slate roofing market.