Learn • plan • ask

Slate roofing books & free resources.

Useful references in one place, with practical Slate Boss checklists to help turn your research into a clearer project inquiry.

Technical PDFs Books & field guide Magazine archive Project checklists

Free original guide / 16 pages

The Slate Boss Guide to Buying, Repairing & Maintaining a Slate Roof

Make better-informed decisions about materials, repairs and contractor proposals. Includes three printable worksheets, a glossary, source references and direct links to ask for project help.

Original homeowner guidance informed by the NSA’s public field guide, Joseph Jenkins’ public Slate Roof Bible excerpt and National Park Service preservation guidance. An independent planning aid, not an installation manual or an endorsement by those publishers.

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First edition / October 2026 / No email required to download.

Free technical PDF links

These links open the original publishers’ files. Authorship and copyright remain with the publishers; inclusion does not imply affiliation or endorsement.

Slate Roofing Contractors Association

Natural slate installation guidelines

A technical reference for discussions with your slate installer. Confirm the applicable edition and project requirements with your design team.

Open publisher’s PDF

Slate Roofing Contractors Association

Repair, restoration and maintenance guidelines

A reference to help frame conversations about preserving and maintaining an existing natural slate roof.

Open publisher’s PDF

Slate roofing books & field guide

Find the full books through their official sellers, or use the NSA’s free mobile reference. Paid books are separate from the free PDF collection above. Prices, editions and access are controlled by each publisher.

Paid book / PDF

Slate Roofs: Design and Installation Manual

National Slate Association

A professional reference for slate roof design, specification, installation and flashing details. The official store offers hardcover, paperback and PDF formats.

View official purchase options

Paid e-book

The Slate Roof Bible, 3rd Edition

Joseph Jenkins

A comprehensive slate roofing reference. Visit the author’s official store for the digital edition, product details and current purchase terms.

View official e-book

Free online reference

NSA Mobile Field Guide

National Slate Association

A quick reference based on the NSA manual, designed for phones and tablets. It is a field guide rather than the complete book and requires an internet connection.

Open free field guide

Traditional Roofing magazine archive

Published by Joseph Jenkins / Jenkins Publishing. These historical issues are offered free by the publisher. Dates matter: old advertisements, contact details, prices and technical recommendations may have changed. Check current project requirements before applying older guidance.

Publisher-hosted PDF