Hello Bethesda

The Durable Slate Company proudly serves Bethesda, Maryland, and surrounding areas. Our specialties include slate roofing, clay tile roofing, and copper roofing. We also work with copper gutters and custom copper ornamentation.

As a company, we adhere to our own philosophy, called The Durable Way. Simply, this means integrity in all things, superior roofing service, and a respect for time-honored tradition and methods.

Hours & Location

Bethesda, Maryland, is a vibrant and diverse city located in Montgomery County, Maryland, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It has a rich history that dates back to colonial times and has played an important role in the development of the United States, broadly. Today, Bethesda is known for its strong economy, excellent schools, convenient location, and cultural offerings.

Looking back, Bethesda's history dates to the early colonial period, when European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1700s. The area was initially known as "Darcy's Manor" after a local landowner, but was later renamed Bethesda after the Bethesda Meeting House, which was built in 1820.

In the late 1800s, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a line through Bethesda, which led to an influx of new residents and businesses. Bethesda's population continued to grow throughout the 20th century, and today it is a bustling urban center with a diverse population of over 60,000 people.

More recently, Bethesda is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The city is home to a number of art galleries, theaters, and music venues, including the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club and the Strathmore Music Center. Every year, the city hosts the Bethesda Literary Festival, which celebrates local authors and the written word.

Bethesda is also home to a number of parks and outdoor spaces, including the Capital Crescent Trail, a popular bike and walking trail that runs through the city. The city also hosts a number of outdoor festivals and events throughout the year, including the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival and the Taste of Bethesda.

As with other small to medium cities in the region, Bethesda has a strong and diverse economy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) are both located in Bethesda, and are major employers in the area. Other major employers in Bethesda include the Lockheed Martin Corporation and Marriott International.

For entertainment and shopping, Bethesda is also home to a number of retail and dining destinations, including the Bethesda Row shopping and dining district. The city has a thriving small business community, with a number of independent retailers and restaurants.

Overall, bethesda, Maryland, is a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. Its strong economy and excellent schools make it an attractive destination for families and businesses alike. Whether you're interested in exploring the city's cultural offerings or simply taking a stroll through one of its many parks, Bethesda is a city that has something for everyone.

Bethesda has a number of historically important buildings that have played an important role in the development of the city and the surrounding area. 

Here are some of the most significant buildings and their historical importance:

1. The Bethesda Meeting House was built in 1820 and is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It was a gathering place for the local Quaker community and played an important role in the abolitionist movement during the Civil War.

2. The Spanish Ballroom is located in the historic Glen Echo Park and was built in 1933. It is one of the largest ballrooms in the United States and was a popular destination for dancers during the swing era.

3. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a major research institution located in Bethesda that was established in 1887. It is one of the largest biomedical research centers in the world and has played an important role in the development of vaccines and other medical treatments.

4. The Bethesda Theatre was built in 1938 and is a classic example of Art Deco architecture. It was a popular destination for moviegoers during the mid-20th century and was recently restored and reopened as a live performance venue.

5. The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is a major military hospital located in Bethesda. It was established in 2011 as a merger of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center.

6. The Clara Barton National Historic Site is a historic home located in Glen Echo, just outside of Bethesda. The home was owned by Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross and was a nurse during the Civil War. The site is now a museum that showcases Barton's life and work, as well as the history of the American Red Cross. The site is a designated National Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

These buildings are just a few examples of the many historically significant structures in Bethesda. They serve as reminders of the city's rich history and the important role that Bethesda has played in the development of the United States and Mid-Atlantic corridor.

Bethesda, Maryland, is home to a number of historic buildings using distinctive, natural roofing materials. These buildings showcase a range of styles, from Colonial Revival to Arts and Crafts, and demonstrate the use of different roofing materials and styles over time. Among the most notable are the buildings with slate roofs, which are prized for their durability and distinctive appearance.

Slate is a natural stone that has been used as a roofing material for centuries. It is known for its durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance requirements, and is often used on historic buildings (or buildings just built to last). In Bethesda, there are a number of buildings with slate roofs, including:

The Bethesda Meeting House, which was built in 1820, has a slate roof that is typical of the time period. 

The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1924, has a slate roof that is typical of the Colonial Revival style.

The Leland Memorial United Methodist Church, which was built in 1927, also has a slate roof that is typical of the Colonial Revival style.

The Norwood School, which was built in 1920, has a slate roof that is typical of the Arts and Crafts style.

These slate roofed buildings are examples of the various styles and time periods in which slate was commonly used. Slate was popular during the Colonial Revival period, as well as during the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the use of natural materials.

Clay-tile roofs are another historic roofing material that is commonly found on buildings in Bethesda. As with slate and copper, these roofs are known for their distinctive appearance and durability.

The Bethesda Post Office, which was built in 1938, has a clay-tile roof that is typical of the Art Deco style.

As noted above, The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which was established in 2011, has a number of buildings with clay-tile roofs that are typical of the Spanish Colonial Revival style.

Copper is a durable and long-lasting roofing material that has been used for centuries. It is known for its distinctive appearance and its ability to withstand the elements. In Bethesda, there are a number of buildings with copper roofs, including:

The Bethesda Theatre: The Bethesda Theatre, which was built in 1938, has a copper roof that is typical of the Art Deco style.

The Strathmore Music Center: The Strathmore Music Center, which was built in 1983, has a copper roof that is typical of the modernist style.

Early on, there were some regional limitations on the availability of some historic roofing materials. For example, in the early days of the area's settlement, wooden shingles were commonly used because slate and other materials were not readily available. However, as the area developed and transportation improved, a wider variety of natural materials became available and used on buildings throughout Bethesda.

The Durable Slate Company is a leading provider of slate roof repair, installation, and restoration services worldwide. Originally a small slate roofing company in Columbus, Ohio, we have since expanded with offices throughout Ohio and Maryland, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, OH, and Savage, MD. Our growth can be attributed to our mastery of historic repair methods and a strong focus on exceptional customer service.

With our extensive repair experience and history, The Durable Slate Company is well-equipped to handle any slate roof repair or installation of any size on any type of building. Our large stock of reclaimed slate in America allows us to match most original slate for an exceptionally seamless repair or full roof replacement. Whether your slate roof has been damaged by fire, wind, storm, other forces of nature, or just requires routine upkeep, you can trust The Durable Slate Company for your slate roof repair needs.

Reclaimed slate is also an excellent choice for new installations, providing a timeless and classic look without waiting a century. For antique roofs with intact slate shingles, we can install new underlayment and copper flashing to preserve the original slate and match damaged tiles from our reclaimed slate stores. 

We provide a thorough evaluation by a professional at no additional cost to determine the best course of action for your slate roof.

When it comes to installations with new slate, we prefer to use only the highest quality time-tested slates from renowned quarries, such as the Vermont Slate Valley, Virginia Buckingham, Southeastern Canada, Wales, and select European quarries. Proper installation techniques, including expert flashing design and installation, correct soldering, necessary underlayments, and precise slate laying and fastening, produce a beautiful, long-lasting roof with a serviceable life of 100 years or more.

Cutting corners on any of these factors can drastically shorten the lifespan of a slate roof from a century to just a few years or less. At The Durable Slate Company, we have replaced numerous slate roofs that were less than a decade old due to neglected essential craftsmanship.

While imported slates may be visually appealing, many are of poor quality and begin to rust and deteriorate within a few years of installation. Therefore, choosing high-quality slate is essential for the longevity and performance of a slate roof.