How To Fit Roof Slates

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.

How to fit roof slates.

You will need longer nails when installing ridge slates over vent material. How to install slate roof tiles. Step 1 drilling the tiles. Position the first roll of underlayment at one side of the roof perpendicular to the lower edge the eave of the roof.

Before installing them snap a chalk line so that they can overhang the drip edge by one inch. As you roll out the underlay keep the bottom edge of the material aligned with the edge of the eave but above any metal or synthetic edging that may cover the borders of the eave. Step 2 marking. When slating with a shallow pitch a wide slate is highly recommended for maximum side lap or lateral lap side overlaps.

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. 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. Install ridge slates and flashings in the same manner as installing slate hips except ridge joints should be caulked. Nail the vent material to the furring strips.

Step 4 first course. Step 3 starter strip. First you need to install starter shingles. Step 5 staggering courses.

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. In this case 2 5 inch copper roofing nails were used. The gauge is in fact the same as the margin which is the length of the slate exposed. These are made by removing 6 inches from the top of the standard 12x18 inch slates.

11 lay your starter slates back side up.