Setting Out A Roof For Slating

The building will have an exposed timber eaves.

Setting out a roof for slating.

Cut the second under eaves course from the same slate as the first course. Lay the first full slate over the top of this under eaves slate and cut the slates on both verges to the same width. Generally speaking 20degrees 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. Traditionally this has been done by nailing a cant or shim strip made from wood under the bottom edge of the starter course usually the same wood that is used to create the roof deck see photos below.

Alternatively the fascia board can be raised slightly in order to raise the bottom of the starter course. Start by establishing the position for the lowest batten for the slates tiles on the roof allow for the overhang of. Work towards both verges with the remaining under eaves slates. When slating with a shallow pitch a wide slate is highly recommended for maximum side lap or lateral lap side overlaps.

The gutter will be formed in cast aluminium. Then determine the position of the highest batten at the top typically the top of the uppermost row of slates tiles. The first thing to do is work out the slate exposure as you would for normal slating the length of the slate minus the headlap divided by 2 the exposure. 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.

First courses of slating on the main roof note the undereaves slates fitted upside down to form a drip with the first course slates. You should have all of these tools plus a nail belt chalk line utility knife and a collection of ladders. Roof jacks nail to the roof deck to create a platform to work from. The width of the first course slates was 12 a very heavy thick slate to cut.

Locate the centre point of the eaves and centre the first under eaves slate.