How to cover the roof with slate: features of laying

For many homeowners, covering a roof with slate is a sensible and long-lasting option. Slate, which is prized for its longevity and inherent beauty, improves the visual appeal of any building while providing superior weather resistance. Whether you’re installing a new roof or remodeling an old one, knowing the ins and outs of slate installation is essential to getting a beautiful and long-lasting finish.

Slate’s resilience is among its best qualities. It is an easy-to-maintain roofing option because it is insect, mold, and fire resistant. Because slate tiles come in a variety of hues and textures, homeowners can match the architectural style of their home to the roof. Furthermore, the inherent insulating qualities of slate can assist in controlling indoor temperature, which may result in lower heating and cooling expenses.

It’s crucial to evaluate the roof’s structural soundness before starting the installation process. Since slate weighs more than a lot of other roofing materials, it is crucial to make sure the roof’s framework can support the weight. As part of proper preparation, the roof deck should be inspected, repaired, and its underlying structure should be confirmed to be stable enough to support the weight of the slate tiles.

Slate tile installation requires careful attention to detail. Securing each tile separately will help to keep it from shifting and guarantee a tight fit. The integrity and weather resistance of the roof depend on proper overlap and alignment. Additionally, over time, problems like wind damage and water penetration can be avoided by using the right fasteners and techniques for the design and slope of your roof.

The main characteristics of the slate

The classic asbestos-cement slate is still very popular, even with the introduction of new roofing materials. This makes sense given the material’s cost and your ability to install roofing using your hands alone without the need for specialized tools.

Classic slate can be used to cover a hip four-sized roof or a tent. It is appropriate for simple single-sloping and gable roofs.

The slate is easily processed and has a high level of resistance to aggressive media and static loads. The material is fairly heavy, so if you’re installing it by yourself, you’ll need to get one or two helpers to lift the slate sheets onto the roof without breaking them. This is one of the material’s drawbacks.

When attempting to cover a roof with slate, it is important to keep in mind that this material works best when applied to roofs with straightforward geometries. In order to minimize the chance of snow accumulation during the winter, it is ideal for the roof to have a slope of up to 20 ° or more than 35 °.

The method for applying coating to a pitched roof requires installing slate sheets that meet GOST 30340-95 specifications.

Slate is one possibility:

• six -wave (sheet thickness 5/6/7 mm, width 1125 mm);
• seven -wave (sheet thickness 5 – 8 mm, width 980 mm);
• eight -wave (sheet thickness 5 – 8 mm, width 1130 mm).

Any kind of slate sheet has a length of 1750 millimeters.

The labeling on slate should be carefully examined as it provides information on the wave’s height and pitch. These guidelines should be taken into consideration when determining where the material sheets should be placed on the roof. The material area moves closer to the vertical overlap the wider the wave step. The size and shape of the roof slopes determine which slate to use and how to lay it.

When deciding how to install slate roofing, the drainage system must be considered. In case the precipitation collection groove is positioned beneath the roof overhang, it suffices to install the outermost row with a 200-250 mm overhang in relation to the building’s wall. Should the roof’s water flow directly to the earth, there should be a minimum 400 mm overhang.

Slate roofing requires careful planning and installation to guarantee longevity and efficacy. This article examines the necessary procedures and factors to be taken into account when installing slate, with a focus on appropriate surface preparation, installation methods, and upkeep advice. It attempts to walk readers through the procedure by emphasizing important elements like picking the appropriate slate type, comprehending installation techniques, and resolving typical problems. With its practical insights and professional advice, the article gives professionals and homeowners alike the tools they need to complete a slate roofing project successfully.

Rafter system for slate

Make sure the rafter system is adequate for laying the slate before beginning the manual roofing installation.

Since this material is heavy, the roof frame should be built to support heavy loads, such as the following:

• the total weight of the roof pie;
• atmospheric loads;
• the weight of people who mount, serve or repairs the roof.

It might be required to shorten the rafter leg installation process or use sockets to reinforce the stiffness of wooden farms if the roof is intended for metal tiles, ondulin, or other light materials.

If the slate is intended to be used to block the old soft roof, the roof frame needs to be extremely cautious.

The crate is composed of bars measuring 60 × 60 mm or an unspeakable board that is 15–25 mm thick. The minimum section of the rafters for the slate roof is 50 × 180 mm. The crate’s distance from the board should be between 200 and 1000 mm. Remember that each sheet needs to have a support for at least three horizontal jumpers when using a crate made of bars. A 60 × 120 m beam or a 60 × 150 mm board is mounted in the skate section.

The crate needs to be constructed from dry, undisturbed lumber in order to lay slate correctly.

Before installing the roofing, you must complete a special crate for structures if the roof is intended to mount an exhaust pipe or chimney. It is best to arrange the drainage system before installing the roofing.

To avoid the lower edge of the roof collapsing under load, the metal strip on the lower row of the crate must be filled with a width of approximately 300 mm and a thickness of 2-3 mm. The metal strip has holes for the roof fasteners and needs to be waterproof on both sides.

How to cover the roof with slate?

If you’re installing slate coating by hand for the first time, you should be aware that this material can only be fixed in up to two layers at a time.

As a result, careful consideration should go into the styling scheme during the roof design phase.

Sheets must be mounted in one or two waves with a horizontal overlap. If you need to cover a fairly steep slope with a small snow load, a one wave overlap is typically utilized. Gentle slopes require the overlap of two waves; this design is much more reliable, but the overall cost of the coating increases with such an installation, particularly when the wave has a large step.

There should be a vertical obstruction of at least 200 mm on the upper sheet.

Installation of the styling technology must begin at one of the slope’s lower slopes and proceed along the cornice overhang. The overlap should be on the leeward side of the slate, which should be positioned with consideration for the wind rose.

To ensure a smooth and even overhang, it is advised to place the first row of sheets on a rope that has already been stretched. Different styling options are used so as not to combine more than two layers of slate at one point. The most common methods involve installing a scope both with and without displacement.

Because of its simplicity, "Razing" installation is well-liked. In this instance, a new series is laid with a comparatively smaller displacement.

This prevents wave overlaps from happening at the same time and ensures that only two slate sheets are ever joined. In order to install with a displacement, you must cut the extreme sheets and endure the upper edge of the final row due to the roof’s slope.

Installing the eight-wave slate is best done with a frame laid; all that is needed is a four-wave shift and the use of half-cut sheets to begin each odd row. In this styling version, the displacement lines are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing checkerboard pattern.

You can save roofing material if you lay slate without displacement, but this is a more time-consuming option that you should consider before beginning the installation by hand.

In this instance, cutting the corners to the wave’s width and height of 120–140 mm is necessary. The lower corner of each upper row sheet is cut from the side covering the previous horizontal row slate sheet in order to arrange the coating elements from left to right.

The selection of fasteners and installation technique have a direct bearing on the question of how to cover the roof with slate. An expanded hat distinguishes slate nails, screws, and screws, which are fitted with a unique rubber gasket that permits the mounting site to be extremely tight.

It is not appropriate to drive or screw fasteners up to the stop.

It is advised to mark and drill fastener holes in slate sheets beforehand to prevent damage to them during installation. The diameter of the holes should be two to three millimeters bigger than that of a self-tapping screw or nail.

Schifer mounting is only done on the wave’s crest when it comes to the roof. With an indent from the edge measuring 120–150 mm, the first mounting point is situated in the lower portion of the second (overlapped) wave. The mount at the top of the second wave is completed after the overlapping slate roof sheet is laid, with the second fastening point situated diagonally from the first.

You should install special skate elements made of asbest cement, arrange all the adjacents and joints, and provide dependable waterproofing after applying the coating by hand.

For many homeowners, covering your roof with slate can be an affordable and long-lasting option. Slate’s organic, rustic look goes well with a variety of architectural designs. It is a well-liked choice for roofing materials because of its durability and resilience to weather and fire.

Make sure your roof is sturdy enough to hold the weight of slate tiles before beginning the installation. You should also repair any damaged decking and make sure there is enough ventilation to avoid moisture buildup.

When installing slate tiles, start at the roof’s base and work your way upward. To guarantee that tiles are firmly fastened and properly aligned, use the appropriate fasteners and installation methods as advised by the manufacturers. Accurate alignment guarantees efficient water shedding in addition to improving the appearance.

Make sure you properly overlap slate tiles during installation to stop water seepage. To keep the rows straight and the roof surface uniform, use a chalk line. The pitch of your roof should also be taken into account because it has an impact on the overlap and overall design of the slate installation.

Maintaining your slate roof properly will extend its lifespan. Every year, check for loose or cracked tiles, and replace any that are damaged right away. Remove any debris, like leaves and branches, to stop water from collecting, which can hasten deterioration and wear.

To sum up, installing slate on your roof involves careful planning, correct installation methods, and continuous maintenance. You can have a stunning and useful slate roof that adds to the value and appeal of your house for many years to come if you follow these tips.

Video on the topic

Speaker laying methods. Constantine, author of YouTube Channel "LCD Self -handle" shares experience

Shipyards of a bunch . Easy to block the roof with slate . Ideal self -tapping self -tapping screw !

We lay the slate correctly

Schifer mount