material features, laying and mounting slate on the roof

Currently there is a huge amount of various roofing materials on the market. But even though the choice is very large, the roof of slate remains popular and in demand almost everywhere. There is a simple explanation for this: this roofing material has high durability, and its price is very competitive. In the article you will learn how to install sheets, what are the types of material, as well as what advantages and disadvantages of such coverage.

Advantages and disadvantages of slate

Wave slate is great not only for technical premises, but it is also often used in the construction of residential houses, because it tends to retain heat and protect the home from adverse environmental conditions.

Although this material was invented a long time ago and has been used for a long time, it still remains the most popular roofing coating. Slate is produced from shale, which is extracted from other rocks by natural means. The surface of the sheet may be wavy or flat. In the second case, to achieve good strength, chrysolite fibers are included in the composition, which serve as reinforcing screeds. Used flat slate in the construction of fences and fences, as well as to create wall panels.

Wave slate is more suitable for roofing work. Today, this building material is constantly being improved and, thanks to this, its appearance and heat-insulating properties are improved. The width of the sheet is measured not in meters, but in waves.

Now let's see what the advantages of slate are:

• Such a material with proper care can last half a century or even longer;

• Installing slate is much easier than installing other roofing materials. Therefore, construction companies set lower prices for slate roofing;

• Roofing slate significantly increases water resistance to the entire structure;

• The material is different resistant to too low or too high temperatures;

• You can walk on such a roof even in winter, because it is very resistant to mechanical damage ;

• The slate roof has very low fire risk ;

• Such roofing is good at absorbing noise rain as well resistant to solar radiation;

• The virtue of slate is low cost ;

• It is very easy to lay on such a roof paint , so you can choose any color or shade;

• You can cut sheets with a regular hacksaw , which has a beneficial effect on the cost of installation;

• Moisture does not condense on the slate roof , so you can save on vapor barrier.

Of course, like any material, slate has its disadvantages:

• This is a very fragile material, which makes it very difficult to transport and store. It is better to carry it upright so that it does not burst under its own weight due to its small thickness;

• When moving on the slate roof, you must be especially careful;

• After prolonged use of the coating loses some of its waterproofing qualities;

• Often the edges of the sheets break off;

• If the roof is located in the shade, then mosses and lichens ;

• appear on it Due to natural factors, slate changes its color .

Asbestos slate

There are three types of slate coating: metallic, Euro-standard and asbestos. Metal is made of thin galvanized steel, covered with a protective polymer layer. The Euro-slate structure includes cellulose and basalt fiber, fiberglass, and also jute. The latter species is the most popular. The material has a very high stiffness, because asbestos fibers even exceed steel in their strength. Connects them to cement. Asbestos threads are evenly distributed on the sheet, which creates a good reinforcing mesh. This helps to increase the toughness and strength of the coating.

There are different types of wavy asbestos slate:

• WU is a wavy slate with a reinforced profile. This material is used for roofing in the construction of industrial buildings.

• BO is a slate with a regular profile, having a rectangular shape. Not only the sheets themselves, but also other elements of the roof, for example, a ridge for the roof, can be made of it.

• HC is a wavy unified slate. It has a good wave width and sheet size. All this can significantly reduce the number of joints.

Preparation for mounting slate

First, you need to measure the area of ​​the future slate roof to calculate the required volume of material. This process will allow an estimate of the upcoming expenses for the construction of the structure. In order to measure, you can use the project of the building, or hire a professional.

After purchasing the roofing material, you need to check if there are any defects on it. Damaged sheets should be replaced.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer services roof design and repair . Directly to communicate with representatives, you can visit the exhibition of houses "Low-rise Country".

Also in the process of preparation, the mounting holes are drilled, and the material itself is cropped in length.

Be sure to pay attention to the fact that if you are going to cover the roof with slate, then you will need reinforced sheathing. In order to create it, it is better to hire specialists, because the life of the structure depends on the quality of the support, as well as your comfort.

How roofing works are performed using slate

To attach slate sheets start from bottom to top vertically. The meaning of this is that the upper wave overlaps the lower one. In this case, one sheet should be laid on the other not less than 10 cm. In order for all sheets to be at the same distance, a tape or a rope is pulled along the edge.

There are two ways to stack sheets. The choice depends on the roof slopes. If the vertical slope is narrow and the horizontal slope is wide, then an offset laying is used. This option is remarkable in that it does not involve cutting the sheets at the joints. The sheet is attached to the crate on one wave to the side. Each next sheet is fixed on the previous one, overlapped by one wave. At the same time laying is made in horizontal rows.

In the case when the vertical slope is narrow and the horizontal wide, the installation with a cut angle is used . At the same time, angles are removed from the diagonal sheets, and the joint is made with a small gap. This method allows to avoid the appearance of cracks and defects in roofing.

It might be interesting! In the article on the following link read about then, how the roof is made of corrugated .

To install the sheets use galvanized screws with rubber gaskets on the caps. The best effect is given by the fittings, in which the thread does not reach the cap, because it does not damage the roofing material itself. Screws tighten tightly. Usually, every third wave is fixed, or it is retreated on each side by one wave and only the second and last but one slope is fixed.

Before cutting the sheet, it must be moistened with water. Then the slate for the roof does not crumble, does not dust and is easy to cut. For cutting using a hacksaw or angle grinder with a small diameter disc. But there is another way: sometimes several holes are made on the cutting line at a distance of 2 cm from each other, and then the necessary part is broken off.

After the installation of the sheets is finished, it is usually transferred to sealing joints using foam or bitumen tape and to install the ridge, which should cover the sheets themselves at least 20 centimeters. All roofing works are completed by fixing drainpipes and gutters.

Painting slate

Carrying out this operation will increase the durability and decorative qualities of your roof. The film of acrylic will delay the destruction of slate for several decades. But the choice of paint should be approached very responsibly. It is better to use compositions of proven manufacturers that are resistant to solar radiation and temperature extremes.

The use of water dispersion paint has a very important advantage: the mixture seals all microcracks on the surface of the material. In winter, roofing slate, covered with such a composition, becomes more slippery, which contributes to the removal of snow and moisture.

Alkyd paints make the surface more elastic, and this prevents the appearance of defects. Also, this type of coating protects the roof from fading.

From the video you can learn how to put the slate on the roof of the house:

It might be interesting! In the article on the following link read about the project of a house with a wavy roof .

Conclusion

Despite the fact that slate was invented a long time ago, it remains the most popular of roofing coatings in our country. Continuous improvement of production technology allows it to keep up with the times, and the price makes the slate roof very attractive. In addition, high durability and non-susceptibility to fire allow the slate roof not to go out of fashion. After you have read this article, for sure, you can buy good material and order the installation of a slate roof for your home.