Roof slates and tiles – the cheaper alternative to the “real thing”

Opens with a discussion as to whether the ′real thing′ is necessarily better than the ′cheaper alternatives′, and traces the historic rise of alternatives to ′real′ building products. Reviews available substitutes for both slating (i.e. not slate) and tiling(defined as not a tile made from clay). Discusses life expectancy and planning restrictions on substitute products.