Find contractors now. is variable in thickness according to the thickness of the Install a cant - either a wooden one, a copper one, or use another method, but get it in there. As a traditional, natural roofing material, slate provides beauty, high fire resistance, versatility and strength. and eventually wear holes in them. can also vary somewhat. Thick slates are harder to cut and may require more experience. Call us now ☎ +1 (336) 627-5596. No aluminum drip edges (as are commonly used on asphalt shingle roofs) are needed on slate roofs.When measuring for the starter slate and the first row, allow for the slate to hang beyond the drip The biggest drawbacks lie in the nature of the faux-slate surface in the case of laminated asphalt shingles and in the nature of the cores of composite shingles. Have Some homes were created with the promise of a slate roof in mind. Your price will be on the lower end if you use recycled slates or reinstall your own. Slate Roof Installation – Installing an Open Valley. There are a lot of good foreign slates too, but finding a reliable source of them can be difficult. Underlayment - Decking For roofs less than 3:12 pitch: Slate/Select is not designed for roof slopes under 3:12. You can use hot-dipped galvanized roofing nails too, especially when installing recycled salvaged slates. You also agree to our Terms of Service. So one hard or soft slate for each square foot of your house times $1,500 will be total cost of a new slate roof. Joseph This website is provided by Joseph Jenkins, Inc., The Slate Roof Experts. 5) Don't rely on underlayment to keep your roof water tight. A slate roof increases your home’s aesthetic appeal and value. Slate roofs do not require underlayment. Slate Roofing Cost Breakdown. There is a lot to think about. Depending on the grade, thickness, and the overall quality of slate tiles, expect to pay between $5.00 and $12.00 per square foot for materials alone.With the installation, your total cost will be between $12.00 and $25.00 per square foot installed. Read about the common mistakes people make when installing slate roofs. Standard thickness roofing slates (3/16 inch TO 1/4 inch) that have drilled HOLES without counter-sinking are sub-standard slates. 8) Get your headlaps and sidelaps right. This means using a roof deck material with a known and proven longevity of a century and a half, which includes solid lumber at least 3/4 inch thick and some other decking materials such as nailable concrete and gypsum. There The average slate roof weighs in between 800 – 1,500 pounds per square (100 square feet). We rely on readers like you to uphold a free press. Before beginning, your contractor will determine the center point on the ridge of your roof. You will at least need a slate cutter, slate ripper and slate hammer. Slate Roof Whether it is a simple slate repair, restoration, or a complete new roof installation of your building, we perform all work in strict accordance with the 1927 National Slate Association Standards. This means you need to do your homework and understand the differences between slates. You can use 16 ounce copper on ridges, step flashings and chimney flashings, although 20 ounce is better. Slating nails shall not be driven in so far as to produce an excessive strain on the slates and shall instead be driven to a depth such that the nail heads lie within the counter-sunk nail hole and do not rub excessively against the overlying slates. From SlateRoofWarehouse.com: This is a new, traditional slate roof installation at the Natural Building Colloquium in Bath, NY, July, 2008. Standard thickness domestic or Canadian slates with punched nail holes from a reputable manufacturer are usually a good bet. 3) Before you start - do your homework. Roofing Magazine. Steps to Install an Open Valley. It may be used for decorative purposes only when installed on solid sheathing, provided a complete built-up roofing system is installed and the assembly is … If using slates from several pallets, blend them on the roof by taking them from all pallets at once. Use copper or stainless steel roofing nails. Joseph Jenkins — Joseph Jenkins, Inc. Spell out everything - headlap; type of slates including size, thickness, origin, color, and shape; gauge and length of nails; type and gauge of flashings; type of cant; etc., etc. Install every course of slates along a permanent (red) chalk line chalked on the surface of the roof that marks the top edge of the slates. America's best source! Since slate roofing is a natural material, there can be large variations in quality and color, sometimes even with tiles sourced from the same pit. We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. 14) Use a good ridge and hip system. Here is a sample contract as a PDF - as a Word file. If you're concerned about ice-damming, increase the headlap along the eaves. Do not use electro-galvanized nails. The mission of the National Slate Association is to establish a material and installation standard for, and promotion of, natural roofing slate in North America. Dominic of ACG roofing installing slate at the University of Pennsylvania. The Solar Slate Plate was designed by slate roofing specialists, who know how to work with stone safely. Assume all elements of the roof assembly must last and function for at least 150 years. Roofing Magazine Do not chalk on the slates themselves. Have 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). Here is another example of incorrect headlap. Small slates take longer to install. Price and color are NOT good criteria to go by. Graduated Length Slate Roofs- The practice of installing slates of varying lengths and widths on a roof came from the days when some quarries produced slate on an “as available” basis rather than in specified lengths and widths. 1) Construct the roof properly. slates being installed (thicker slates require a thicker Watch some video clips. Slate questions? I guarantee that if the contractor is not familiar with everything on this page, he should not be installing a slate roof. The cleats accommodate thermal movement in the valley flashing, to prevent stress cracks. Some manufacturers may do the drilling for you if you provide specifications, but be prepared to pay extra. Traditional Slate Roof Installation We always recommend that a professional slate roofing contractor install a traditional slate roof. is lower (4:12 to 6:12) or along eaves when ice Read about the common mistakes people make when installing… Closed Valley Installation in Detail Valley flashings may be rectangular, diamond or v-shaped. Post them on our. There is no excuse for anyone to install a slate roof today without knowing the basic information, which is all here right at anyone's fingertips. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. Their size will vary with the length, width, and exposure of the slate and the slope (s) of the adjoining roofs. The underlayment is temporary - NOT permanent. Avoid any laminated or glued roof decking products. Some drill their slates, some punch them, some cull out bad slates, some don't. Size, thickness, type and quality of manufacture are very important. The underlayment will keep out the water until the slates and flashings are installed and it makes a good surface on which to chalk lines. Hardcover: 374 pages; Publisher: Joseph Jenkins, Inc.; 3rd edition (June 21, 2016); Language: English; ISBN-10: 0964425823; ISBN-13: 978-0964425828; Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches ; Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds, Go to Our Slate Roof Message Board l Slate Roof Videos, Slate Roof Source Lists l Installing Slate Roofs l Repairing Slate Roofs. Gable edge projection and drip edge projection Roofing Tools It is expensive to install compared to other roofs. A slate roof is known as one of the highest quality, long lasting roof materials on the market. Here is an illustration of correct headlap and of incorrect headlap. Read about drip edges and cant strips. Copper flashings or stainless steel are best. The installation requirements of synthetic slate are not as challenging as real slate, but they can still spell difficulty. The first step to installing an open valley is to cleat your valley metal in. Like any facet of the construction industry, however, installations of slate roofs benefit from experience, knowledge and practice. Slate Roof Installation. Understand headlap. The cost of materials for a slate roof accounts not only for the quality of the material itself but for the labor that has to be done by hand to acquire and prepare it, which includes cutting the slate into slabs and drilling holes that make installation easier. 4) Have the correct tools. Every slate 1 tile should have a hole drilled through it to nail it to the roof. The worst ridge is when you just run your field slates to the top and leave them with exposed nail heads and sealant along the apex and nothing else. The square footage of a house is usually equivalent to the roof's square footage. DaVinci Slate delivers on that promise with its astonishing versatility. One of the factors that deters many homeowners from installing a slate roof is the high cost of materials and labor. damming conditions are prevalent. 10) Chalk your courses on the roof deck. questions? Installing a slate roof costs more than other roofing products because it weighs 800 to 1,500 pounds per square, making it difficult for workers to handle. Make sure your starter course has enough headlap. ... Single-width tiles reduce material and speed up installation time without compromising style. SLATE ROOF INSTALLATION GUIDE 1) Construct the roof properly. Furthermore, the weight of slate often requires extra structural support to the home or building. Labor costs to install a slate roof can range from $600 to $1,500 per roofing square. To install slate roof tiles correctly, you’ll need to stagger each course so the proper headlap (which should be at least 3 inches for moisture protection) is established. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. Slate roofs are arguably the finest roofs in the world — beautiful, natural, and long lasting. Use minimum 20 ounce copper on valleys and built-in-gutters. The complete guide for installation of slate roofs is available to download here. Use roof jacks and planks. Sheet lead is also a good flashing material. Joseph Jenkins, Inc., 143 Forest Lane, Grove City, PA 16127 USA; Ph: 814-786-9085 - Fax: 814-786-8209 2) Select the correct slates. Articles online! traditional, standard-thickness slate roof. Call: 416-724-4666 Read this important article about starter courses. Roof Links Read more about nail holes. If your slate roof depends on the underlayment to keep out the water, it is a faulty roof, incorrectly installed. Board! Thicker slates are OK to be drilled as there is usually room between them for a nail head. Slate Roofing Contractor Serving Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, and Nearby in MA Complete repair and installation services for slate roofs. Call: 416-724-4666 Find local contractors to Install or Replace Natural Slate Roofing. Double shingles at eaves and cornice line. Asphalt shingles have a total cost around $200 per square. Traditional On the roof edge, a starter strip will be put in before installing the slate tiles. The cant strip Jenkins, Inc. This content is currently not available in your region. It will wear out. This is why a counter-sunk nail hole is important, rather than a drilled nail hole. We have worked with many professionals over the years and we are ready to assist with product, technique and technical issues that may arise. 11) Lay your starter slates back side up. Greater Post them on our Traditional Roofing Message Slate The cost of slate roofs has inspired manufacturing of high-quality products that look like slate. Do not "eyeball" the courses. INSTALLATION When laying out a roof in preparation for slating it, chalk lines across the entire roof area marking the top edge of every row of slate. Download the above diagrams as a PDF file (requires Adobe Acrobat). Some manufacturers have poor quality control. Assume all elements of the roof assembly must last and function for at least 150 years. The Durable Slate Company provides slate roof repair, installation, and restoration services world-wide. 15) Use good nails. In this video we look at the process of slating a house in line with current Irish Building Regulations. 13) Use good flashing material. The broad variety of synthetic slate shingles on the market can actually be seen as a disadvantag… Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. 18 Steps to a Successful Slate Roof Installation. After installation, the nail heads will rub against the overlying slates above illustration shows basic installation details for a Read about how to install starter courses. 9) Do not walk on the slates during installation. A slate roof is among the best roofs to have. Click Here for a Sample Slate Roof Installation Contract, General Installation Guidelines for Installing Roofing Slate, General Architectural Standards for Installing Roofing Slate, Spanish Language Slate Roofing Installation Guidelines. All material herein © 1998-2020 Joseph Jenkins Incorporated, all rights reserved. 3) Before you start - do your homework. It adds to the energy efficiency of the building because the batten system holds the slate away from the roof allowing natural ventilation under the slate keeping the roof … If necessary, look at some of the nuances that may be pertinent to your installation such as cleats on aprons, cleats on ridges, and soldering, to name a few. Take a look at common contractor errors. DaVinci Slate delivers the highest levels of beauty without the typical challenges of a natural slate roof. Others fade badly. Stage the roof properly. The headlap (for example, 4 or 5 inches) may be preferred when the roof slope Use the underlayment to keep out the water until the roof is installed. Composite shingles, while ideal as a roofing material, must be treated with utmost care during installation to prevent the cracking of their cores. Info rich hub site! 1. Headlap is also variable. in the Slate Roof Bible, 3rd Edition (or download the e-book) or go to Traditional Saddle ridges, Boston hips, mitered hips and copper hips or ridges, are all good. Call us at 814-786-9085, M-F, 9-5, Eastern time, USA. 30# felt is traditional, but a double layer (half-lap) is better today as the older felts were a better quality than today's felts. 17) If you're using a contract document, make sure it is thorough and detailed. The demand for solar installation on solar roofs has been so great that an innovative new solar installation system has been invented. Get in touch with us for a fascinating collection of roof slates. Take a look at the slate tile roof installation guide to gather more detailed information regarding the repair & installation of slate roofs. is much more information about installing slate roofs Lack of headlap will condemn an entire roof. You will probably break some slates during the installation and you could lose a slate or two after the roof has been installed due to damage to the slates during installation. Call now! 6) Get the starter course right. You should have a few slate hooks available to use for repairing the roof. Understand headlap. In order to install a slate roof, your home must have the structural support necessary, which sometimes requires additional reinforcement. Instructional videos. Video Clips The three most important parts of a quality slate roof installation are having quality materials, the right contractor for the job, and knowing the in's and out's of slate roofing yourself. Thes… Measure to see if an extra wide slate or “slate-and-a-half” is required to avoid nailing into any valley flashing. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. Start from the bottom of the roof and work your way up, staggering the joints between courses by a minimum of 1½ inches. A Nu-lok slate roof installation is a highly sustainable approach to roofing as it not only uses natural slate with S1 longevity, it uses less of it. In addition, traditionally-installed slate can be heavy, requiring expensive structural modifications to be made to the roof system. 18) Know how to repair the roof. Get Slate Roof Installation for your home. Because slate is a natural stone, it is naturally very heavy. HomeAdvisor will connect you with prescreened and customer-rated contractors in your area Our inventory of new and re-used slates is comprised of thousands of slate and tile in every color and size imaginable. A slate roof can cost from $12 to $40 per square foot, according to websites and roofers I consulted. Do not leave any details to guesswork. 12) Do not over-nail or under-nail the slates. Contractor Quality Slate for Your Slate Roof. Traditionally-installed slate roofing has typically been out-of-reach for most property owners, as the installation is often slow and expensive. Some slates leach pyrites and stain the roof. 16) If you're hiring a contractor - get a good one. See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. This led to the roofing contractor sorting the slate on site and installing the longest and widest slates at the eaves (where they carried the most water) and “graduating” several … You will lose your headlap if you do not follow this bit of advice. Roof pitch – The angle of a roof not only determines what slates to use, but the amount of overlap … Foreign slates can be a real gamble. cant strip). See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. Shingles: Install as indicated and in compliance with details and recommendations as published in the North Country Slate: Slate Roofs: Design and Installation Manual – 2010 Edition – National Slate Association. The reason for such a wide pricing range is that installation/labor costs c… The association, which started in 1922 and was reformed in 2002, spans quarriers, contractors, architects, consultants, and distributors with a connection to natural slate. Find it here. The cost of a slate roof tile installation can run on average between $12,000 and $24,000 for an average size home – depending on the location of the home and the pitch of the roof. Directory 7) Blend the slates. Underlayment should always be installed UNDER the slates, NEVER on top.