Wave slate: an overview of technical characteristics + its comparison with other coatings

We delve into the nuances of roofing materials to help you make educated decisions here at "All about the Roof." Today, we’ll concentrate on wave slate, a unique roofing material renowned for both its visual appeal and special technical qualities.

The graceful wave-like profile of wave slate, also known as wave-shaped roofing tiles, sets it apart from other roofing materials. Wave slate is a material that is usually made of clay or concrete, and it is visually appealing and durable. Its flowing design offers practical advantages in addition to bringing a bit of architectural interest to any building.

Wave slate is more long-lasting and durable than conventional roofing materials like metal sheets or asphalt shingles. Because of its sturdy design, which guarantees resistance to weather factors like wind, rain, and hail, it is a popular option in areas where severe weather is common.

Wave slate’s thermal characteristics should be taken into consideration when comparing it to other roofing options. Wave slate typically provides superior insulation, assisting in the maintenance of a more constant interior temperature, in contrast to metal roofs, which can absorb and radiate heat rapidly. Over time, this feature can help save energy, especially in areas with variable seasonal temperatures.

In addition, wave slate is praised for requiring little upkeep. Wave slate usually requires little maintenance other than the occasional cleaning and inspection, unlike wood shakes that might need to be treated frequently or metal roofs that can corrode over time. This feature increases the roofing system’s overall sustainability while also lowering long-term maintenance costs.

To sum up, wave slate is a great choice for builders and homeowners who want to combine durability and practicality with visual appeal. It stands out among other roofing options thanks to its distinctive wave-shaped profile, strong technical qualities, and relative advantages over other roofing materials.

The characteristics of the wave slate

Examine the wave slate’s key technical features, which enable it to be used everywhere and on a variety of building types.

The number of waves

Slate is made in accordance with GOST 30340-95. This document states that sheets with 6.7 or 8 waves should be found in asbestos-cement wavy sheets.

The most useful sheets are those with waves seven and eight. This is because their nominal and useful areas differ slightly. The nominal total area of an eight-wave slate is 1.978 m^2, while its useful area is 1.57 m^2. That is, a small portion of the material is lost when installing such a slate on overlaps (1-2 waves on both sides). Regarding the seven-wave slate, the same can be said. Its useful area is 1.3362 and its nominal area is 1.715 m 2.

When installing the roof, there will be a slight increase in the consumption of the six-wave slate. The standard sheet with six waves has a total area of 1.97 m³. In addition, 1.41 m 2 is a useful area. Overlaps thus occupy around 20 percent of the total material.

Some factories produce material with 5 waves in addition to slate with the 6th, 7th, and 8th waves. It should be noted, nevertheless, that this type of material is made in accordance with the factory’s specifications rather than the GOST standards.

Profile sizes (waves)

The height and pitch of the wave determine the type of slate profile. Sheets with two different section types—40/150 and 54/200—are released, per GOST. Simultaneously, the wave height is indicated by the first figure in the fraction (numerator), and its step (in millimeters) is indicated by the second figure (denominator).

The distance between the slate’s highest and lowest points is known as the wave height. An ordinary wave height (40 mm and 54 mm) is indicated in a fraction that indicates the type of cross section. Extreme waves are also present.

The wave is referred to as overlapping on one side of the sheet and overlapping on the other. The private and overlapping waves have the same height. The overlapped wave is marginally shorter in height.

The height of the overlapped wave is 32 mm for slate sheets with a section of 40/150, regular and overlapping waves – 40 mm. The height values implied by Section 54/200 are as follows: 45 mm for an overlapped wave, and 54 mm for ordinary and overlapping waves.

A wave step, represented by the second fraction figure (150 and 200 mm), shows the separation between the vertices of two adjacent waves.

The thickness of the sheets

The size and profile size of the slate directly affect its thickness. 5.8 mm thick sheets with a 40/150 profile are produced.

Increased thickness is necessary due to the larger cross section; otherwise, the material will not be able to support its own weight and will disperse during installation or the first few hours of operation. As a result, the thickness of sheets with profile 54/200 is either 6 mm or 7.5 mm.

The sizes of sheets

The current GOST regulates the wave slate’s dimensions as follows: length: 1750 mm; width: 1125 mm (slate with 6 waves); length: 980 mm (slate with 7 waves); and width: 1130 mm (slate with 8- um waves).

Many manufacturers also produce slate in non-standard sizes at the same time. To ensure that the quantity of material ordered is accurate, it is best to clarify this point at the time of ordering.

The weight of the sheets

The weight of a separate sheet is important to consider when purchasing because the slate must be installed manually. This parameter is dependent on the material thickness, wave count, and profile magnitude.

The weight of typical slate sheets (produced in accordance with GOST):

• Type 40/150, 7 waves (dimensions 1750x1130x5.8 mm) – 23.2 kg;
• Type 40/150, 8 waves (dimensions 1750x1130x5.8 mm) – 26.1 kg;
• Type 54/200, 8 waves (dimensions 1750x1130x6 mm) – 26 kg;
• Type 54/200, 8 waves (dimensions 1750x1130x7.5 mm) – 35 kg.

Coating color

Slate is typically white-gray in color. However, the slate’s color palette has greatly increased as a result of the application of staining agents. Red, green, blue, brown, yellow, brick, and other colored sheets are produced by factories.

There are two approaches to perform shifter staining:

1. Coloring pigments are introduced into the composition of the liquid asbestos mass at the stages of slate production. The color is as resistant as possible, as it permeates the entire thickness of the material. However, the staining of slate in the mass is performed only according to the manufacturer’s own TU and does not meet the requirements of the current GOST.
2. Pigmented compositions (acrylic, alkyd and polymer paints) are stained with ready -made sheets of slate. Similar decoration is practiced by factories producing colored slate in GOST. Also, paints can be used for your own coating of slate – to improve its decorative qualities, update the appearance and extend the service life.

Regardless of the staining technique, the slate’s color decoration increases its resistance to frost, lowers its absorption of water, and shields it from damage. In comparison to the gray analogue, the colored slate has an average 1.5 times higher durability.

Physico-mechanical characteristics

We can use slate on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings in challenging conditions because of its mechanical and physical characteristics.

The primary attributes are:

• A concentrated stamp load – at least 150 kgf (for 40/150 – with any thickness and 54/200 – for a thickness of 6 mm) or at least 200 kgf (type 54/200, thickness 7.7 mm). In other words, slate freely withstands the weight of objects of 150 or 200 kg. On the slate roof you can freely move during installation, at the stage of operation and repair. Significant snow loads are also not afraid of her.
• Density – observed at a level of at least 1.6 g/cm3 – for the type of 40/150; at least 1.65 g/cm3 – for the type 54/200 6 mm thick; at least 1.7 g/cm3 – for type 54/200 7.5 mm thick. The higher the density indicators, the greater the strength of the slate and its weight.
• The limit of the strength of the bend – 16 MPa – for the type of 40/150; 16.5 MPa – for the type 54/200 6 mm thick; 19 MPa – for type 54/200 7.5 mm thick.
• Residual strength – persists at 90%. This is the level of strength of the destroyed slate.
• Water resistance – 24 hours.
• Frost resistance – 25 cycles – for a shifer type 54/200 6 mm thick and type 40/150, 50 cycles – for shifer type 54/200 7.5 mm thick. These numbers indicate the number of freezing and thawing cycles, which do not lead to visible slate destruction.

Take a closer look at the image below:

"When it comes to roofing materials, wave slate stands out for its special combination of environmental advantages, aesthetic appeal, and durability. The technical aspects of wave slate are examined in this article, including its composition, installation method, and maintenance needs. It also goes into comparison with other popular roofing materials, showing how wave slate compares in terms of longevity, affordability, and suitability for various climates and architectural styles."

Among roofing materials, wave slate roofing stands out for its exceptional combination of practical durability and visual appeal. Its characteristic wave pattern adds to a building’s structural integrity in addition to improving its aesthetic appeal. Wave slate’s design minimizes the possibility of water pooling and possible damage by ensuring effective water drainage.

Wave slate is more resilient and long-lasting than conventional roofing materials like clay or asphalt shingles. Its sturdy construction, which is frequently composed of premium materials like fiberglass or composite polymers, guarantees resistance to weathering, UV rays, and extremely high or low temperatures. Because of its longevity, it will require less maintenance over time, making it an affordable investment.

Wave slate has several advantages over other roofing materials, one of which is its lightweight design. This feature makes installation easier while also lessening the structural load on buildings—a benefit that can be especially important for older or specially designed buildings. Its appeal is further increased by the fact that its simplicity of handling during installation may result in lower labor costs.

In addition, wave slate roofing is renowned for being environmentally friendly. Recyclable materials are used to make a large number of wave slate products, supporting sustainable building practices. At the end of its life cycle, wave slate can be recycled, which lessens its impact on the environment and promotes green building techniques.

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