When you think of roofing materials, you probably don’t think of slate. But slate is one of the most durable roofing materials you can invest in. Slate roofs have been known to last a hundred years and longer when properly installed and cared for. A slate roof is an investment, but given the length of its life, it might be an option worth considering.
If you’re thinking about having a slate roof installed, or if you want to learn basic maintenance for your existing slate roof, read on for some basic slate roof facts.
Know Your Slate
A roofer who installs slate is called a “slater”. An experienced slater can help you decide if slate is right for your home, but learn the basics about slate roofs before you ask for quotes. Installing slate is a big investment, so arming yourself with some knowledge will help you when talking over your options with a slater.
Here’s five slate roof basics to keep in mind:
1. Slate should be installed on solid wood. Your roofer or slater should make sure the wood support in your roof will last as long as the slate will. Plywood isn’t going to last that long, so make sure your roof support is solid lumber.
2. The slater should use only copper or stainless steel nails on your slate. Just like the solid wood support, these types of nails are more likely to last the life of the slate. The last thing you want to do is replace all the nails in your roof because they weakened before the slate did!
3. When installing the roof, the slate should be drilled for countersinking, and it should not be nailed down tightly. Nailing tightly creates stress on the slate and could lead to cracking and breakage. Countersinking, or making the nail flush with the tile, ensures that the nail heads won’t damage surrounding tiles. The slate should hang comfortably, but not tightly.
4. Make sure your slater uses high quality flashing. Flashing is a thin metal sheet that’s installed around areas like chimneys to prevent water from getting into cracks and under roof tiles. Copper, stainless steel, and lead are all very durable, and all are good choices for a slate roof.
5. When your slate roof is installed, make sure the slater leaves at least a 3 inch overhang from one row to the next (this is also called a head lap). Anything less could result in water leaks.
Other Popular Posts in Exterior Home Improvement
- Window Replacement - Ten Reason to Window Replacement
- Professional Plumbing Repairs - Hiring plumber or DIY
- Roof - Slate Roof Maintenance and Repair
- Building A Deck: How To Build A Deck
- Garage Door Troubleshooting: Garage Door Maintenance & Repairs
- Outdoor Landscape - Creating An Outdoor Living Area
- Roof Framing: All You Need to Know About Framing A Roof
Is it possible to install a PV system overtop a slate roof, and still be able to maintain the slate? My slate roof is 76 years old. I want the PV system to last 25+ years. It seems wasteful to remove the slate roof, install a new ashphalt roof, then cover it with PV panels. I would be covering around 75% of the roof with panels. They would butt together. The panels (Schott)would be installed on a track that stands about 4in off the roof to allow air movement (cooling) behind the panels.