Setting Out A Roof For Slating

Lay the first full slate over the top of this under eaves slate and cut the slates on both verges to the same width.

Setting out a roof for slating.

Roof jacks nail to the roof deck to create a platform to work from. 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. Locate the centre point of the eaves and centre the first under eaves slate. When slating with a shallow pitch a wide slate is highly recommended for maximum side lap or lateral lap side overlaps.

For example a 20 inch slate with a 3 inches headlap would have an 8 5 inches exposure 20 inches 3 inches 2 81 2 inches. First courses of slating on the main roof note the undereaves slates fitted upside down to form a drip with the first course slates. 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. Work towards both verges with the remaining under eaves slates.

You should have all of these tools plus a nail belt chalk line utility knife and a collection of ladders. 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. The width of the first course slates was 12 a very heavy thick slate to cut. Alternatively the fascia board can be raised slightly in order to raise the bottom of the starter course.

This is also the lathing gauge for that course. The building will have an exposed timber eaves. Cut the second under eaves course from the same slate as the first course. Then determine the position of the highest batten at the top typically the top of the uppermost row of slates tiles.

The gutter will be formed in cast aluminium.