Slate Roofs Design And Installation Manual? Quick Answer

sloping roof

: The steeper the roof, the better in terms of slate lifespan. Anything over 8:12 is preferred, and slopes in the 12:12 to 18:12 range are probably ideal. Not only will slate shingles last longer on these steeper slopes, they will also be more visible and show off their natural beauty. Steeper roof pitches result in rainwater running down and off the roof quickly, which must be taken into account when considering skirting heights and gutter systems.

Headlap, exposure and offset

: Lintel height and exposure are related and the starting point for determining both is the roof pitch. Laying slate with proper head overlap and offset helps to accommodate wind driven rain and lateral movement of water under the slate shingles to prevent seepage through the nail holes and side joints. Required minimum overlaps and offsets should not be compromised.

moisture migration

: Consideration must be given to the extent to which water migrates under the slabs of slate. On the best performing slate roofs, the water flows downslope parallel to the length of the shingles to the next lower shingles. For slate roofs, water migration is mainly controlled by the roof pitch angle. The steeper the slope, the less water migration there will be.

documents

: Before laying the slate roof shingles, underlay membranes are laid on the roof surface. Roof underlays include traditional asphalt-saturated organic felts, as well as many synthetic underlays and ice dam protective membranes. Underlays serve several purposes, the most important of which are to protect the roof until all of the slate and associated flashings can be installed and to help control moisture migration when it does occur.

slate roofing nails

: It is critical that the nails used to fasten roofing slate to the roof surface have an expected service life at least equal to that of the slate. For S-1 grade slates used for new roofing, large head solid copper roofing nails are most often specified. Stainless steel roofing nails can also be used, particularly for hard roof decking, but can be difficult to remove for repair work.

nailing slate

: Slate shingles must hang by their nails. Nailing over and under nailing can stress the slabs and lead to breakage. Properly setting the slate nail must be learned, but once learned it is a relatively easy task to master.

roof slate

Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials, sometimes lasting in excess of 100 years. It is a natural rock that is quarried and cut to become a type of “shingle” (a thin, tapered piece of material used as roof and wall cladding). Slate has been used as a roofing material for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until after the Industrial Revolution and the construction of the railroad network that they became widespread outside of the slate quarrying areas.

Roofing slates are often incorrectly referred to as “tiles” and vice versa. Roof tiles are not made from slate but from materials such as clay or concrete.

Slate is strong and has very good weather resistance, as well as low water absorption, meaning it withstands well below freezing temperatures. However, the initial cost of slate shingles can be higher than other types of roofing, as can repairs and maintenance. Slate roofs are also relatively heavy.

A variety of slate sizes exist, although a common large size is 600mm x 300mm. The quality (but also the weight) is determined by the thickness:

Best: 4 mm thick.

Medium thickness: 5 mm.

Heavy: 6mm.

Extra heavy: 9 mm.

Slates are a suitable covering for roofs with a slope of more than 20 degrees. They are laid using the same double-butted principle as plain tiles, but unlike plain tiles, each layer of slate is fixed to the batten by top or center nailing.

In general, the larger the slate, the lower the roof can be pitched. The lower the pitch of the roof, the greater the head overlap required. The top of the slate is called the “head”. Overlap is when one slate overlaps another, while “head lap” is when the head of a slate is overlapped by the slate two layers above. On a slate roof, this is the critical overlap and is necessary to prevent water ingress and leakage.

Roof pitch typically relates to required head coverage as follows:

20 degrees: 115mm minimum head overlap.

25 degrees: 85mm.

35 degrees: 75mm.

45 degrees: 65 mm.

Sometimes contractors may try to cut corners with the head lap to use less slate and reduce the weight of the roof. However, it’s far better to be careful and install an extra headbutt roof rather than risk problems that may require the slates to be removed and replaced.

Artificial slates can be a cheaper alternative to natural slate, but their lifespan is only around 40 years. They are similar in size to the larger natural slates, but are significantly lighter. They are usually fastened with 2 nails per slate, nailed in the middle and another fastening is used to secure the bottom edge of each slab to prevent it from lifting in high winds or due to thermal expansion.

Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, installing the battens is an important step. Laths may be hidden by the roofing material, but their purpose is to provide a reliable anchor to which tile or slate can be securely fastened.

Battens also play a role in ensuring the rigidity, durability and weatherability of the finished roof. BS 5534:2014 is the British Standard which sets out the requirements for roof battens, covering everything from the type and size of timber required to spacing and fixings.

So how do you install battens whilst ensuring compliance with the comprehensive requirements of BS 5534? Here’s our quick, four-step process to get you started:

1. Start with the pad

Roof pads provide insulation and an additional waterproof barrier to prevent ingress of water that manages to get under the roof covering. Underlays are available in a variety of options with Type 1F Bitumen Felt being a traditional favourite. However, this can become brittle over time and modern alternatives tend to be superior as they weigh less and are more durable.

Roof pads provide insulation and an additional waterproof barrier to prevent ingress of water that manages to get under the roof covering

Marley Universal Pads are manufactured using the most advanced materials and processes. They meet the requirements of BS 5534, are compliant for UK wind zones 1-5 and are BBA certified. There are two options available depending on your roofing needs: vapor permeable and non-breathable.

2. Choose your slats

Next it’s time to select the slats. Marley JB Red Battens is a high quality batten that is pre graded and meets the performance requirements of BS 5534.

Developed in conjunction with the BRE, these battens meet NHBC requirements for fully stepped roof battens. They are made from FSC or PEFC certified wood and are manufactured with a uniform thickness of 25mm.

JB Red battens are suitable for all roofing applications and are ideal for situations where the batten can also be used as a step. Our JB Red battens are proof of this as they are the only factory tested batten in the UK with BBA certification. Our JB Red Battens are made from only high quality, slow grown and kiln dried sideboards, providing maximum strength and stability.

3. Check the size and spacing of the slats

Before installing the battens, ensure you have the correct size and thickness of tile selection as these can have a direct impact on the roof’s weather resistance as well as the finished appearance.

According to BS 5534, the appropriate batten size depends on the span of the rafters and the roofing material. For example, 25 x 50mm battens should be used for single layer modern roof tiles when laid on rafters with a maximum span of 600mm.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

Laths should be attached to rafters placed at a distance of no more than 600 mm.

They should span at least three rafters and be at least 4 feet (1.2 m) long.

For thicknesses over 200mm, no more than one in four battens should be connected across a truss.

For thicknesses less than 200 mm, there may be a maximum of three consecutive connections in all twelve rows of battens.

Using a length distribution is a good way to meet the two requirements above as it results in staggered connections.

4. Fix the slats

When you’re ready to attach the battens to the rafters, the first thing you need to do is make sure you’re using the right nails. According to BS 5534, the nails used to fasten battens to rafters should normally be at least 3.35mm in diameter. The nails should penetrate the rafter by at least 40mm, so a nail length of 65mm is generally recommended.

Starting at the bottom edge of the roof, nail the batten to the center of the rafter. The joints should lie directly over the rafters, with the battens cut square, butted tightly and nailed at an angle.

If a batten end is to be set in grout ensure that a suitable treatment has been applied or the uncut end has been set in grout; this is not necessary with dry fixing systems.

As soon as the roof battens are mounted, it’s time to cover the roof. Here at Marley we have a wide range of decking to suit different sectors, pitches, geographic locations and aesthetic needs. We also offer a variety of accessories for dry setting, ventilation and detailing.

Learn more about our comprehensive roofing system and be sure to check out our collection of technical resources which includes an estimator and information on our CPDs.

In general, said Mr. Jenkins, colored shales are almost always hard shales and black shales are almost always soft. (There are some black slates that are hard and there are some colored slates that are soft because they’re really black slates that have faded from the sun.) Absolutely, said he, a slate expert — known as a ”slater” — will be able to tell hard slate from soft simply by tapping it.

And since most slate roofs on Northeast homes were installed in the early 1900s, Mr Jenkins said, homeowners who have them generally have a choice to make when the roofs start leaking.

“If it’s hard slate, you should probably restore it,” he said, explaining that even a 100-year-old hard slate roof could have another 100 years of useful life. “But if it’s soft, it might not be worth fixing.”

Mr Jenkins said that in most cases leaks in slate roofs are caused by either broken or missing roof tiles or faulty trim. If the problem is with the tiles themselves, he says, repairs can easily be made by an experienced roofer. “All you have to do is pull out the bad slates and replace them with good ones,” he said, explaining that many homeowners make the mistake of waiting until there are multiple broken or missing slates before hiring a contractor .

slate roofs

Learning how to identify common slate roof problems is an important step in maintaining your traditional building. We highlight common issues affecting slate roofs and how to spot them.

Scottish slate is our most common traditional pitched roofing material and has been used originally on castles and manor houses for many centuries. In Scotland, from the 18th century, slate became more widely used, depending on location. At Stirling, slate from quarries along the Highland Boundary fault (commonly referred to as the Aberfoyle slate) was used. Depending on the age of your building, it may have a different slate. For example, Welsh slate became more common from the late 19th century when rail transport was possible.

Slate is very durable and can last up to 100 years or more. In Scotland, slate is traditionally fastened to timber deck boards with a single nail at the head of the slate. The top edges of the slate are trimmed to form “shoulders”. This allows individual slates to be swung to the side to allow access for removing and replacing broken slates without disturbing the surrounding area.

Scottish slate is no longer mined, so repair relies on stocks of reclaimed slate. For more information on different types of slate and available slate repair options, contact us.

Roof tiles and other roof coverings

Learn about other traditional types of roof tiles used in Scotland such as B. Roof tiles.

Common problems with slate roofs should be considered by owners

Missing and shifted slates

Look for a gap in the slate cover pattern or for slabs of slate sitting in gutters. This is usually due to bad weather. Look out for slabs of slate cracked by wind suction.

Broken slates

If you have a series of cracked, cracked slabs of slate or pieces falling off the roof or down the gutter, the slate may be reaching the end of its useful life and becoming “soft”. As a natural stone, slate absorbs water for a very long time and eventually begins to break.

nail disease

The original nails used to fasten sheets of slate were often poor quality iron or galvanized steel and will corrode over time. Corrosion can cause nails to break and the slate to slide. When this can be demonstrated in multiple slabs of slate on a roof, it is known as “nail disease”.

Shifted slates

Slates may have slipped out of line with the roof’s pattern. This can be due to nail breakage or enlargement of the nail hole as a result of natural decay.

Slate Roof Problems: What You Can Do

Check your roofing at least once a year and after severe weather. An initial inspection can often be done from the ground using binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens.

Slate is a natural material with unrivaled technical properties that will last well over 100 years. In fact, it is usually the fortifications and supporting timbers that decay before the slates themselves. But how do you know if your roof needs a simple repair or a new slate?

Over time, corrosion of nails, or ‘nail disease’, causes slates to slip or chip and battens or pegs to often decay due to woodworm or rot. Other causes of slate roof deterioration include:

the delamination of poor quality slate where they split into layers

mechanical damage, such as wind lift

bad slate practice, for example using thin nails that eventually cut through slate

the decay of mortar that “flares” under slabs of slate.

be informed

The best protection for your roof is knowing what you are dealing with. Then you can entrust a reputable roofer with the roof repair or re-slate. It’s skilled work and together with CUPA Pizarras we support trainees at local colleges to ensure there are roofers who can do this craft.

Whether you need to repair or re-slate a roof really depends on the extent of the deterioration. Regular inspections are essential to spot and fix problems before they get worse and escalate your repair costs.

What should you look for

If you’re looking for internal problems, ceiling water damage probably won’t be under the problem area on your roof.

External search for broken, slipped or missing slates may be more difficult. But if possible, you need to know if they’re all in one area or scattered across the roof. If the damage is only in one area, the problem may be with another aspect, a chimney that might be flashing, and not the roof.

Check loose slates for strength. It’s best to hold a loose, single slab of slate by the edge and tap it lightly in the center with a hammer. It should make a clear ringing sound if the slate is intact. If you hear a dull, dead tone, the slate has probably become porous and lost its usefulness.

As a guide, if 20% of the original slates have been replaced and repairs are scattered throughout the roof, further repairs are considered unprofitable. Factors including the condition of gutters and accessories such as B. cover plates, must also be taken into account.

If the decision to repair is…

Shifted, broken, or missing slates must be reattached with copper wire or ties (“tingles”) or replaced. When a piece of slate is refastened (known as a partially re-lath), they can be fastened with nails instead of battens.

It is important to remember that obvious repairs are not good from a resale perspective. When a building surveyor discovers a repair using lead or copper staples, they can decide that the roof is nearing the end of its life and advise repairing it.

A good quality mastic applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions would help you avoid this while ensuring a repair that lasts as long as the traditional methods.

Foam or bituminous remedial measures are not recommended. They reduce ventilation and create the risk of wood rot. Also, when it comes time to replace the roof, make the slates reusable.

Never turn over your old slates. However, the broken slates still have value. Consider saving them for redesign and later reuse elsewhere on the roof.

If you choose a replacement…

A new roof of any kind is a serious investment. Always discuss and decide on material replacements with your local planning authority.

CUPA Pizarras slate comes with a declaration of performance and a barcode traceability label, guaranteeing origin and ensuring quality. CUPA mines slate from no fewer than 16 quarries in the world’s largest slate deposits in northern Spain. This allows them to offer the widest range of slates on the market. To ensure your roof looks good, all you need to know is the slate you are replacing.

The slate roofs, common on older properties in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Cumbria, often have a rustic character. Roughly structured slates that get smaller towards the top of the roof – so-called “decreasing layers” – were the rule.

Regular size plain Welsh slate laid in uniform sheets on Victorian town houses was created by the railways in the early 19th century.

Benefits of buying your new slate from Burton Roofing Merchants

At BRM, we use our extensive product knowledge to customize the type, colour, texture and size of slabs to suit your needs.

We stock more slate than other retailers. We are happy to help you find the right slab based on the age/location of each building. Why not bring one of your old slates to find a match? Or contact one of our representatives who will discuss options with you on site and provide samples.

When completely replacing a listed slate roof, it is advisable to photograph the detailing of ridges, valleys, ridges, dormers, eaves and abutments. Changing the details of a roof could require a listed building permit. The ventilation of real slate roofs may have to be increased sensitively. Historic England offers useful advice in their article ‘I want to redo my roof’.

One last tip: avoid breaking the old slates – they have value. Remove nails carefully. The slates have the potential to be reused. It’s possible to mix new slates with old ones across the roof, but more often set them aside for a smaller slope.

If you need further advice on repairing or re-slating your roof, get in touch with our experienced staff, either at your local office or via our live chat.

By Kenton Shepard and Nick Gromicko, CMI® The purpose of the Mastering Roof Inspection series is to teach home inspectors, insurance and roofing professionals how to identify proper and improper conditions when inspecting steep residential roofs. This series covers roof structures, roofing materials, the attic, and the conditions that affect roofing materials and components, including wind and hail.

SLATE MAKING and INSTALLATION

MANUFACTURE

Although problems related to manufacturing can affect slate roofs, manufacturing techniques at quarries vary. This makes it difficult to detect manufacturing and manufacturing process related defects. The size and position of the nail holes and the grain orientation are indicators of the quality of manufacture.

Historically, slates were typically made with mineral grains oriented along the length of the tiles, or “on grain”. According to the National Slate Association, “Due to changes in quarrying and manufacturing practices, it has become more efficient and economical to produce random grain roofing slates [rather than] than on grain.” Random grain slates must be thicker than aligned grain slates to produce a to offer comparable breaking strength. There is some dissatisfaction with the current ASTM test standards in the shale industry and changes are expected.

General manufacturing process

Slate is mined in quarries, with only about 5% of the material extracted from the pit being usable for slabs of slate.

Large blocks are hammered into smaller blocks. If a large block of slate freezes before jackhammering, the block of stone may shatter into useless shards instead of being split cleanly.

After being hammered into smaller pieces, the slate is cut into rectangular blocks of the appropriate height and width for the desired tiles. Individual tiles are then separated from the block by hand and eye with a hammer and chisel.

Slates are then punched for nail holes. The punching process is done from the back of the slate, leaving a blowout area around each nail hole on the face of the tile for fasteners to sink into.

INSTALLATION

incline restrictions

Slates installed on a roof with a pitch less than 4:12 should have a waterproofing pad underneath. Slate installed on a roof less than 4:12 with traditional underlay is a poor installation. Modern building codes require a minimum pitch of 4:12 for slate installation.

framing and substrate

The weight of a slate roof is measured in thousands of pounds per square rather than the hundreds of pounds typical of most roofing materials. A slate roof can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds per square foot, although 3,500 pounds is considered heavy. It is important to inspect the frame and sheathing from the attic. Check the rafters for sagging.

The sheathing can be spaced boards, laths or panels such as OSB or plywood. It should be at least 3/4 inch. The ½ inch sheathing used on most roofs is unsuitable for a slate roof as it can result in cracked slates. Check for advanced rot in any areas where you see signs of past leaks. Spacer boards are a higher quality installation than plywood or OSB. Most modern codes require that a solid roof sheathing be installed under slate shingles.

document

As you already know, felt backing is not permanent and will degrade as it loses volatile oils over time. This is less of an issue with asphalt shingles since the lifespans of the shingles and felt are likely to be quite similar.

Because slate roofs have a much longer lifespan, the underlay is more likely to deteriorate faster than the slate. Of course, the underlay is mostly hidden under the slate, although you might be able to inspect it from the attic if the roof cladding is spaced planks. When inspecting older homes, be sure to mention the limitations of document inspection in your inspection report, even if you don’t find any signs of leakage during the inspection. It’s important to set realistic expectations for your customer and limit your liability.

The quality of the slate installation becomes much more important to prevent leaks in roofs with deteriorated base. Many slate roofs have been installed without an underlay, and leakage is not usually a problem if the slates are properly installed. If you find that a slate roof is missing with a missing underlay, mention this in your report, but refrain from citing it as a defect unless you know it was required by the building code in effect at the time of the purchase construction of the house in the jurisdiction in which the house is located. Most modern building codes require that an underlay be installed under slates.

liner

One method to save money on installation is to use slate. This method significantly increases the slate load to save money by using less slate. Under normal conditions, this dramatically increases the risk of leakage. To reduce this risk, a layer of felt is installed as an intermediate layer between each layer of slate.

Once the felt has deteriorated – which will likely happen much sooner than the slate – the roof will be more likely to leak, and the repair will involve removing and reinstalling the slate roof. If reinstalled with a correct exposure, there will not be enough slates and the problem will be finding matching slates. It is a very good idea to notify your client if you find that slate is laid with interleaving.

Colours

When slate arrives at a construction site, the pallets may contain slates of slightly different colors. Mixing them well may require combining slates from different palettes. This involves spreading the slates out on the ground, arranging them so that they blend well together, and stacking them back onto the pallets so they can be loaded onto the roof.

As a new homeowner, I’m often skeptical about hiring a company to do work on my home. I’ve heard horror stories from other homeowners, and I’ve also seen my own share of problems where contractors didn’t get the job done according to plan or properly. Based on this, I tend to research a company extensively (e.g. online reviews, pictures of previous work, recommendations, etc.) before committing to hiring them for the required job. When it comes to replacing your roof, you are faced with a big task that can go either right or wrong. A contractor can convince you that they will do the best work at the best price, but persuasion can lead to problems later. A great contractor doesn’t need to convince you, they just need to give you the facts – that’s what Dior Construction did when the owner, Dior, came to my house for an initial consultation. Dior is very experienced and educated in his field. He is a GAF Master Elite Roofer which means he is one of the top roofers in the business and after your initial consultation he can enlighten you on how roofing systems work and how his team can repair and improve your current scenario – no belief, just facts.

Before meeting with Dior, I did my usual research (reviews, background, training, etc.). I was impressed with its certifications, and Dior Construction seemed to be a front runner, despite being the only company I fully researched at the time. Normally I would have rounded up at least 5 contractors to see who was the best of the best, but something stopped me. I went to Dior Construction’s Facebook page and noticed that there were a lot of videos and pictures of their work, so of course I checked them out. I was impressed by the drone images showing before and after photos and as I reviewed the photos something struck me; it wasn’t the beautiful houses or the colors of the roofs, it was the workers. I noticed that not only were they on the roof, they were tied up. They were attached to the roof with a new retention system for their own safety, and as Dior himself said, “The most important thing is that my crew is safe and they can go home at the end of the day.” I’ve seen a lot of “roofers”. who walked around without any kind of security and it seemed common, but finding someone who cares so much about their workers was something you don’t see often. At that point, I knew that if Dior cares so much about his employees and their safety, he definitely cares about the quality of the work being done, and he takes pride in his business. This sealed the deal, along with extensive almost two hour training on the roof system.

The work was planned and we were actually able to start work ahead of time. The whole process was so smooth and seamless that I would honestly do it again. The crew arrived promptly just before 7am, we had a dumpster delivered shortly thereafter and work began immediately.

Dior was on site the morning of the installation along with its project manager, Hudson, making sure everything went according to plan and to schedule. A surprising problem arose during the work, one of the crew members found a bird’s nest with live nestlings near the chimney – no parent in sight. Dior immediately had the crew member bring the nest down safely and immediately called the relevant officials. It’s safe to say that the nestlings are now in a wildlife rehabilitation center. Most of the other contractors probably couldn’t care less but not Dior, he was determined to make sure the nestlings were safe and as an animal rights activist I couldn’t have been happier.

It was amazing so you can see how effortlessly the crew made the move even though it was a very big job. The house was immediately covered with tarps to contain the debris and was continually cleaned up as the roof was removed quickly and efficiently. In about 2 hours the roof was completely cleared and the crew began applying all the necessary materials before the shingles were installed. The entire roof was done in the same day and it looked fantastic. We also had new shutters put on the house which definitely popped the new roof, a huge compliment to each other. The next day the Dior crew came by to install our seamless guttering with leaf guards and again they were quick and made the whole job seem effortless.

We’ve received a ton of compliments from our neighbors, and it’s not just for the look of our home. Our neighbors complimented the crew on how efficiently they worked, how clean they kept the area and how smoothly everything seemed to run. I have been asked by several neighbors for the contact details of Dior Construction should they need work on their roof, gutters or siding.

Being completely satisfied with a contractor is a rarity, especially with all those late-night contractors who promise a great job but don’t get the job done, but I’m more than satisfied with Dior Construction. I wish they did more than just roofing, gutters and siding so I could rent them for all my home needs. I look forward to the time when I will need new trim just so I can have this quality contractor come back to do work on my house.

If you need repairs or upgrades, don’t hesitate to call Dior Construction. Once you have had an experience like mine you will never want to hire another contractor again and your standards of quality and service are much higher. Many thanks to Dior and his crew for this great experience and for the high quality workmanship that is now keeping our house safe and dry.… [more]

Insulating your attic is one of the best ways to keep your home warm, and spray foam insulation is always the best choice.

More flexible, easier to use, more thermally protective and more durable – spray foam is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners. However, you may be concerned that applying spray foam could ruin your slate roof, and as with most things, there are pros and cons.

What is a slate roof?

In parts of the UK, slate is a very popular and attractive choice for roofing. It is a natural product that is considered one of the most durable and high-quality roofing materials.

It offers a beautiful gray to black appearance and the different sizes and thicknesses of the slates give your roof a more rustic look.

You can typically expect your slate roof to last around 100 years – compared to other roofing materials which expect to last around 30 years. With high fire resistance and an eco-friendly reputation, it’s easy to see why slate is so popular.

However, there are some disadvantages to be aware of when it comes to slate tiles. They are one of the most expensive roofing materials due to the difficulty in degrading the product.

They require careful installation and can add significant weight to your roof structure – so they must be carefully installed by an experienced contractor.

In some cases, slabs of slate may be at a higher risk of breakage due to their natural structure. Slate tiles have cracks and can be very brittle, especially when laying.

Although slates are an attractive choice for covering a roof, they should only be installed by an experienced contractor to ensure they remain fully intact over the years

Spray Foam: The Basics

When it comes to insulating your home, spray foam is one of the best choices. Spray foam is created by combining two chemicals under high pressure.

This results in a liquid that quickly expands to 9 times its original size, filling gaps and creating waterproof and strong insulation. It can be used in most cases and is especially useful when it comes to filling in hard-to-reach or awkward gaps.

Spray foam comes in two basic types: closed cell and open cell. Closed cells can be used for structural purposes and provide a good sound barrier. Open-cell contains air pockets and is therefore more breathable. This makes it an excellent insulator and is perfect for insulating walls and roofs.

The Energy Saving Trust recommends that you use 270mm mineral wool insulation to achieve the correct level of energy efficiency in your attic. This can cause head height issues.

The same thermal protection can be achieved with just 100mm of spray foam insulation. This makes it ideal for small loft spaces and takes up much less space.

You can typically expect your spray foam insulation to last up to 30 years – although there is evidence it can last much longer. While it’s a more expensive option, the fact that it lasts so long makes it cheaper in the long run.

Spray foam provides significant support for slate roofs, with both products working well together to ensure your roof’s resilience over the long term

Insulating a Slate Roof: An Overview

Spray foam used to insulate your roof is almost always used in the same way. It is sprayed from the inside directly onto the underside of your roof structure. Layers of foam are applied between the rafters, and then either left as is or covered with plasterboard.

The main concern people have with applying spray foam to a slate roof in this manner is that many of these roofs are designed with no barrier between the slate and the inside of the attic.

In other words, the spray foam sticks directly to the slate. As you might expect, there are pros and cons to this approach:

Benefits of spray foam for slate roofs

● Spray foam provides excellent protection and reinforcement for the slates of your roof. Failing tiles get a few more years of life with this extra structural element on the underside.

● If you find your slate roof leaking, spray foam works well to fill those gaps. Spray foam is completely waterproof and therefore does not allow water to penetrate.

● If open cell spray foam is used, the roof will remain breathable and condensation should not collect in the attic. This is the case even if water seeps into the tiles and reaches the spray foam layer.

● Spray foam and slate roofs have similar durability and therefore work well as insulation. Spray foam can even make your slate tiles last even longer.

Is your slate roof suitable for spray foam insulation? A free website survey will help you assess whether foam would be feasible and, if so, what problems it would solve

Disadvantages of spray foam for flat roofs

● If you decide to replace your slate roof at a later date, the slate cannot be reused or recycled. Spray foam adheres to the underside of each slab of slate.

● It is more difficult to replace parts of the roof when necessary without disturbing the spray foam underneath – the spray foam is likely to have to be replaced at the same time. This will increase the cost of remediation in the future.

● You should take the time to replace old or broken roof tiles and repair any obvious defects in your roof before installing spray foam insulation. This can increase the cost of the job, but will extend the life of the roof.

● Spray foam increases the overall weight of the already heavy slate roof. This should be taken into account by your contractor to ensure the roof braces can support the weight. Additional structural work may need to be done which may increase costs.

Spray Foam for Slate Roofs: Final Verdict

Overall, when used on a slate roof, spray foam insulation provides a longer lifespan and provides additional structural support. The main problems are that replacing the roof in the future will be a more expensive and time-consuming job and the slates cannot be reused.

However, keep in mind that your slate roof is likely to last a century, after which time the slate will become brittle and unusable as a roofing material. You can even extend this lifespan by using spray foam – and get even more out of your roof.

Whatever you choose, it’s important to find the right contractor to install both your slate roof and insulation. A good roof, installed correctly, is the starting point for excellent spray foam insulation.

You should not use the insulation to repair your roof – always try to start with a slate roof that is in good condition and you will have many years of maintenance free roofing.

Are you ready to transform your attic space into a fully livable space? With spray foam insulation you can achieve exactly that! Request your free roof survey today by calling 0800 1700 636 or simply clicking the button below!

Slate is one of the finest roofing materials, and slate roofs can last over a century with proper care and maintenance. However, the maintenance process is not safe for the average homeowner. Why is slate roof maintenance and repair best left to the professionals at Clean Sweep?

The dangers of fixing your own slate roof

Slate tiles are slippery: Slate tiles are very slippery, especially if it has rained recently. When walking on a traditional roof, wearing non-slip shoes is sufficient. However, slate roofs are not only very slippery, they are also very sensitive. Trust a roofer who knows the best and safest way to walk slate roofs and don’t risk your own health and well-being. Slates are delicate: Slate roofs are very delicate, which seems counterintuitive given their longevity. Walking on slabs of slate can damage not only already damaged slabs, but existing, good slabs as well. We know how, with ladders and professional equipment, you can repair your roof without doing additional damage. Weather Matters: Weather has serious safety implications when conducting a slate roof inspection or repair. While you may only have time to inspect your own roof on a rainy Saturday, professionals are exceptionally available and can carry out your inspection or repair on a sunny day with suitable weather to carry out the work. Slate Tiles Require Careful Replacement: Because slate tiles are so delicate, they often need to be replaced after they become cracked or damaged to protect the integrity of the roof. We have specialist tools to remove damaged tiles, pull out the nails, fit new tiles as precisely as possible to match the rest of your roof and ensure the finished product is functional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll spend a lot of money and time trying to find the right match and completing the repairs (if they’re successfully completed!). Instead, leave this special work to us.

Professional slate roof inspection and repair from Clean Sweep Maryland

Clean Sweep Maryland has the experience and specialized training needed to safely and effectively inspect and repair your slate roof or chimney. Call Clean Sweep Maryland today at 410-558-1111 for professional chimney sweep, dryer duct, air duct and gutter cleaning services designed to keep your home in great condition and your family safe.

slate roofs

Learning how to identify common slate roof problems is an important step in maintaining your traditional building. We highlight common issues affecting slate roofs and how to spot them.

Scottish slate is our most common traditional pitched roofing material and has been used originally on castles and manor houses for many centuries. In Scotland, from the 18th century, slate became more widely used, depending on location. At Stirling, slate from quarries along the Highland Boundary fault (commonly referred to as the Aberfoyle slate) was used. Depending on the age of your building, it may have a different slate. For example, Welsh slate became more common from the late 19th century when rail transport was possible.

Slate is very durable and can last up to 100 years or more. In Scotland, slate is traditionally fastened to timber deck boards with a single nail at the head of the slate. The top edges of the slate are trimmed to form “shoulders”. This allows individual slates to be swung to the side to allow access for removing and replacing broken slates without disturbing the surrounding area.

Scottish slate is no longer mined, so repair relies on stocks of reclaimed slate. For more information on different types of slate and available slate repair options, contact us.

Roof tiles and other roof coverings

Learn about other traditional types of roof tiles used in Scotland such as B. Roof tiles.

Common problems with slate roofs should be considered by owners

Missing and shifted slates

Look for a gap in the slate cover pattern or for slabs of slate sitting in gutters. This is usually due to bad weather. Look out for slabs of slate cracked by wind suction.

Broken slates

If you have a series of cracked, cracked slabs of slate or pieces falling off the roof or down the gutter, the slate may be reaching the end of its useful life and becoming “soft”. As a natural stone, slate absorbs water for a very long time and eventually begins to break.

nail disease

The original nails used to fasten sheets of slate were often poor quality iron or galvanized steel and will corrode over time. Corrosion can cause nails to break and the slate to slide. When this can be demonstrated in multiple slabs of slate on a roof, it is known as “nail disease”.

Shifted slates

Slates may have slipped out of line with the roof’s pattern. This can be due to nail breakage or enlargement of the nail hole as a result of natural decay.

Slate Roof Problems: What You Can Do

Check your roofing at least once a year and after severe weather. An initial inspection can often be done from the ground using binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens.

As a new homeowner, I’m often skeptical about hiring a company to do work on my home. I’ve heard horror stories from other homeowners, and I’ve also seen my own share of problems where contractors didn’t get the job done according to plan or properly. Based on this, I tend to research a company extensively (e.g. online reviews, pictures of previous work, recommendations, etc.) before committing to hiring them for the required job. When it comes to replacing your roof, you are faced with a big task that can go either right or wrong. A contractor can convince you that they will do the best work at the best price, but persuasion can lead to problems later. A great contractor doesn’t need to convince you, they just need to give you the facts – that’s what Dior Construction did when the owner, Dior, came to my house for an initial consultation. Dior is very experienced and educated in his field. He is a GAF Master Elite Roofer which means he is one of the top roofers in the business and after your initial consultation he can enlighten you on how roofing systems work and how his team can repair and improve your current scenario – no belief, just facts.

Before meeting with Dior, I did my usual research (reviews, background, training, etc.). I was impressed with its certifications, and Dior Construction seemed to be a front runner, despite being the only company I fully researched at the time. Normally I would have rounded up at least 5 contractors to see who was the best of the best, but something stopped me. I went to Dior Construction’s Facebook page and noticed that there were a lot of videos and pictures of their work, so of course I checked them out. I was impressed by the drone images showing before and after photos and as I reviewed the photos something struck me; it wasn’t the beautiful houses or the colors of the roofs, it was the workers. I noticed that not only were they on the roof, they were tied up. They were attached to the roof with a new retention system for their own safety, and as Dior himself said, “The most important thing is that my crew is safe and they can go home at the end of the day.” I’ve seen a lot of “roofers”. who walked around without any kind of security and it seemed common, but finding someone who cares so much about their workers was something you don’t see often. At that point, I knew that if Dior cares so much about his employees and their safety, he definitely cares about the quality of the work being done, and he takes pride in his business. This sealed the deal, along with extensive almost two hour training on the roof system.

The work was planned and we were actually able to start work ahead of time. The whole process was so smooth and seamless that I would honestly do it again. The crew arrived promptly just before 7am, we had a dumpster delivered shortly thereafter and work began immediately.

Dior was on site the morning of the installation along with its project manager, Hudson, making sure everything went according to plan and to schedule. A surprising problem arose during the work, one of the crew members found a bird’s nest with live nestlings near the chimney – no parent in sight. Dior immediately had the crew member bring the nest down safely and immediately called the relevant officials. It’s safe to say that the nestlings are now in a wildlife rehabilitation center. Most of the other contractors probably couldn’t care less but not Dior, he was determined to make sure the nestlings were safe and as an animal rights activist I couldn’t have been happier.

It was amazing so you can see how effortlessly the crew made the move even though it was a very big job. The house was immediately covered with tarps to contain the debris and was continually cleaned up as the roof was removed quickly and efficiently. In about 2 hours the roof was completely cleared and the crew began applying all the necessary materials before the shingles were installed. The entire roof was done in the same day and it looked fantastic. We also had new shutters put on the house which definitely popped the new roof, a huge compliment to each other. The next day the Dior crew came by to install our seamless guttering with leaf guards and again they were quick and made the whole job seem effortless.

We’ve received a ton of compliments from our neighbors, and it’s not just for the look of our home. Our neighbors complimented the crew on how efficiently they worked, how clean they kept the area and how smoothly everything seemed to run. I have been asked by several neighbors for the contact details of Dior Construction should they need work on their roof, gutters or siding.

Being completely satisfied with a contractor is a rarity, especially with all those late-night contractors who promise a great job but don’t get the job done, but I’m more than satisfied with Dior Construction. I wish they did more than just roofing, gutters and siding so I could rent them for all my home needs. I look forward to the time when I will need new trim just so I can have this quality contractor come back to do work on my house.

If you need repairs or upgrades, don’t hesitate to call Dior Construction. Once you have had an experience like mine you will never want to hire another contractor again and your standards of quality and service are much higher. Many thanks to Dior and his crew for this great experience and for the high quality workmanship that is now keeping our house safe and dry.… [more]

Does the roofer specialize in slate roofs?

Be sure to use roofers with extensive backgrounds in slate roofing applications. This type of roofing requires special technique and handling to ensure quality work. Roofers with little knowledge of slate roofs could install the materials improperly and cause costly problems soon after installation.

A common mistake among roofers is to use the same application methods that work for other types of roofing materials. First of all, during the installation process, the roofer may break tiles while walking across the roof. Worse, the roofer could expose the fasteners to rain and snow.

One thing a roofer should never do is coat slate shingles. There is no reason for slate to have a coating as the stone is inherently resistant to fire, rain, snow, hail and wind. Roofers who leave nails open — “face-nailing,” as the problem is called — have been known to cover the imperfection with tar when doing repair work. In such cases, tar is often brushed along the shingles. If the slate surface is covered with tar or any other coating, it loses its aesthetic luster.

Slate-inexperienced roofers often do not know how to properly distribute the tiles on a roof. In the case of partial roof repairs, the roofer may not match the color of the new and existing roof tiles. Mistakes like these can be difficult and costly to reverse. Make sure any company you hire to install or repair slate roofing has plenty of experience working with the stone.

Does the roofing company provide the necessary maintenance? What kind of maintenance is required?

If you have a full or partial slate covering on your property, it’s important to choose a company that offers on-demand maintenance should problems arise. Maintenance work is often covered by the roofing company’s warranty. However, each company has different policies, so the length of the warranty and the type of issues covered will depend on which company is covering your roof.

Slate generally requires little or no maintenance as the stone does not rust, warp, or attract mold. Therefore, a slate roof is unlikely to be damaged by normal weather conditions or natural events other than an earthquake or a tornado. However, slabs of slate can break if walked on. So it’s best not to go on a slate roof for any reason. Cut off nearby branches so they don’t end up on the roof. If your cat likes to climb walls, keep an eye on her when you let her roam outdoors.

When problems arise with slate shingles, the problem is usually due to tiles with decking nails, where over time the fastener is exposed to rain, snow and water accumulation, which can result in rusty nails that ultimately fail to hold the shingles.

Pros and cons of a slate roof

Why is slate a good option for roofs? Slate roofs are one of the most valuable features a home can have in today’s real estate market. It offers many benefits including:

Resale Value: Homes with slate clapboards tend to draw a lot of attention from potential homebuyers.

Durability and Appearance: Slate is valuable for its durability and aesthetics. In fact, slate can last in excess of 100 years and suit virtually any style of architecture.

Energy Efficiency: Because of its density, slate keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter months. You can save money on your energy bills by taking advantage of the extra insulation that slate roofs provide.

While it has many advantages, slate roofs also have a few disadvantages that you should be aware of:

Weight: Slate roofs are heavier than other roofing materials. It’s important to check your home’s foundation to see if it’s structurally sound enough to support slate.

Installation: Some installers may not offer slate installation, so finding a good company can be difficult. Finding a trustworthy, reliable company that can do quality work is important.

Check out these slate pros and cons before making your purchase. Overall, the advantages of slate roofs far outweigh the disadvantages. The key is to find a good company that is well versed in slate installation and repair.