How To Fit Roof Slates

How to install slate roof tiles.

How to fit roof slates.

First you need to install starter shingles. Before installing them snap a chalk line so that they can overhang the drip edge by one inch. Generally speaking 20 degrees is the lowest advisable pitch for a slate roof depending on the size of the slates and how much that the roof is exposed to moderate weather conditions. Step 2 marking.

Step 1 drilling the tiles. The stone is dug or quarried from the earth brought to the surface then hand split with a hammer and chisel into thin sheets about a quarter of an inch thick. The gauge is in fact the same as the margin which is the length of the slate exposed. The supplier of the slates should recommend the spacing up the roof between the battens known as the gauge this usually varies according to the size of the slates the pitch of the roof and the degree of exposure.

Nail the vent material to the furring strips. 11 lay your starter slates back side up. These slate shingles are then trimmed into particular shapes usually punched for nail holes and are then ready to be installed on a roof. Each slate tile needs to have a hole drilled through it so it can be nailed to the roof.

The starter course should be laid back side facing up to allow the edge bevel to merge flush with the edge bevel of the first course which is laid back side facing down as are all other slates on the roof except the starter course. Install ridge slates and flashings in the same manner as installing slate hips except ridge joints should be caulked. In this case 2 5 inch copper roofing nails were used. These are made by removing 6 inches from the top of the standard 12x18 inch slates.

Step 5 staggering courses. Step 4 first course. Step 3 starter strip. Position the first roll of underlayment at one side of the roof perpendicular to the lower edge the eave of the roof.

You ll need to do this for.