How are slate tiles attached to roofs?

The sheathing, also called decking, is the wood to which the slate is attached. Ideally, the wood will last 150 years — or long enough to support an average initial slate roof and replacement slate roof. The right sheathing choice is individual plank boards.

Do you need battens for slate roof?

Slates should always be installed double lap. Concrete slates require 38x25mm batten for 450mm joist spans and 50x25mm batten for 600mm joist spans. Timber shingles and shakes will need a timber batten size of 38x25mm for spans up to 450mm, and 50x25mm for 600mm spans.

How are slates fixed to a roof?

Fixing the slates: Slates can be either nailed at the centre line or near the top. When slates are nailed at the top, the nails are covered by two slates and so are less exposed, but, being secured at only one end, they are at risk of being lifted by the wind and are more likely to be broken.

How much should slate tile overlap?

On a slate roof this is the critical overlap and is necessary to prevent water penetration and leakage. The roof pitch typically relates to the required head lap as follows: 20 degrees: 115 mm minimum head lap. 25 degrees: 85 mm.

What is the gap between slates?

Setting out and laying your slates Keep a 5mm gap between each slate (to allow for natural expansion in the slate roof structure) so they are not completely rigid.

Do slate tiles need felt?

Roofing felt, installed under roof tiles or roof slates, protects the roof space from being exposed to wind and the ingress of rain and snow, should the roof tiles fail, leak, be damaged or be blown off.

Do you nail every roof slate?

It is not necessary to nail every single tile to the battens. Every tile of the two rows at the eaves, those up the verges, and along the two rows of the ridge should be nailed, but beyond that it is only necessary to nail every fifth tile horizontally and every third tile as you move up the roof.

What nails do you use for slates?

Copper nails are most commonly used to fix slates on pitched roofs, but can also be used to secure roofing tiles in place. Copper is also used to create slate straps, which are used on slate roofs to hold broken slates in place, either as a temporary fix or a more long term solution.