What is the minimum slate width?

The standard sizes for roofing slate start at 12″ in length and increase by 2-inch increments up to 24″ in length. The standard widths are never less than half their length (12×6, 14×7, 16×8, 18×9, etc.) and increase by 1-inch increments up to 14″ wide.

What is the minimum thickness of slate?

Standard slates are ¼-inch (0.64 cm) thick, plus or minus 1/16-inch. They vary in length and width by no more than 1/8-inch and have a relatively smooth face.

What is the standard slate dimension?

Whilst the most commonly used slate size in England and Wales is 500x250mm or 20”x10”, this hides a variety of sizes from 400×250 in the North East, to 600×300 in the North West of England, with each region having a distinctive size to create a local 'look' and blend with the area.

What is the minimum slate cover?

The Minimum Roof Pitch for Natural Slates is 20 degrees (BS 5534:2014 Page 45), depending on Size of Slate See Table Above (BS 5534:2014 Page 45, Table 9). Slates 450mm Long or Less Should Not Be Used at Pitches Of 27.5 Degrees or Less (Moderate & Severe Exposure) (BS 5534:2014 Page 45).

How thin can slate be cut?

As rocky materials go, slate isn't very hard, and you can usually cut through a 1-inch or thinner slab in a single pass with a 4-inch angle grinder without the need to keep the blade wet.

Random Width, Staggered Butt Layout

Does slate split easily?

Slate contains many smooth, thin, flat layers (foliation) and it splits easily into sheets.

Can you cut slate by hand?

It's perfectly possible to cut slate tiles with power tools, a slate cutter or by hand, and often the best option for you is down to your own experience and which method you feel most comfortable using. Hand tools are easier to use for novices, but it can be more difficult to be as accurate as using power tools.

How shallow can a slate roof be?

'The minimum pitch for any double-lap slating is actually only 20 degrees, but there are many design factors that go in to this and so, in reality, this is rarely seen; a more realistic minimum pitch for most slates is around 27.5 degrees, but even this depends on certain conditions'.

How much does a piece of slate cost?

Soft slate usually costs between $10 and $20 per square foot. Hard slate is typically between $20 and $30 per square foot.

What is the margin of a slate?

Margin: the exposed area of the slate as laid. Lap: the distance by which the tails of slates in one course overlap the heads of slates in the course next but one below.

What is the most common slate size?

The most common size being the 500 x 250 mm - a “Countess” in old money. These days simply referred to by its size in metric or imperial measurements, 500x250 mm or 20x10 respectfully. The further north you get the smaller the roof slate tile generally and the greater the over-lap (lap) to ensure a weatherproof roof.

Is 1 inch slate good?

Yet and still, 1” slate is the best way to go as it won't warp and it creates less friction when the ball is rolling on the table. The added weight also means the table won't move when you lean into it. As it's thicker, 1” slate is better if you plan to move the table around a lot.

How far should slate overhang?

The slating should overhang by an amount (usually about 50mm) sufficient to ensure that water discharges into the gutter.

Does slate thickness matter?

A thicker slate is better since it is stiffer and less likely to flex so the table can be more level over its entire surface. A thicker slate also makes it slightly easier to perform jump shots. Otherwise, the slate thickness isn't really that important practically speaking.

What is a cheaper alternative to slate?

Is 1 piece slate better than 3 piece slate?

A three-piece slate, leveled properly, will without a doubt give you superior play. This is why the pros prefer to shoot on a three-piece slate pool table as opposed to a one-piece. I'd recommend a three-piece slate over one solid slate if given the choice.

What is a cheaper version of slate?

Concrete slate is another cheaper alternative to natural slate. Manufacturers make concrete slate from a natural mixture of cement, sand, water, and oxide.

What is a drawback of a slate roof?

The main detraction of a slate roof is its cost. On average, you can expect to spend up to $20 per square foot to have slate installed. This higher cost is due to two factors: the materials and the installation. The materials for a slate roof are much higher than a standard asphalt shingle roof.

What is the biggest problem with slate roofs?

What is the biggest problem with slate roofs? The biggest problem with natural slate roofs is their excessively heavy weight. Except for clay tiles, no other conventional roofing product is as heavy. Per roofing square (or, 100 square feet), slate weighs from 675 to 1,870 pounds.

What is the most likely failure of a slate roof?

While it's true slate tiles are impervious to moisture, if the tiles sustain a crack, they're vulnerable to leaks. Unfortunately, the most common reason slate roofs crack is because someone walked over them. Expert roofing contractors know that they should never walk around slate roofs.

Do you cut slate wet or dry?

Slate is cut on a 'wet saw' with a large diamond blade. The slate is cut 'wet' to reduce dust. Water fed to the blade protects the diamond blade by keeping it cool and washing away the residue.

Do I need a wet saw to cut slate?

The way that slate is formed, however, makes it nearly impossible to use anything except a tile saw -- either a wet saw or a dry angle grinder with a tile-cutting blade.

What is the best thing to cut slate with?

An angle grinder with a diamond blade can cut slates of all sizes. Opt for a 150mm angle grinder for tiles under one inch, and a 230mm cutter for those over one inch. Score the underside of the tile to create a cutting guide. Cut along the line with the angle grinder.