TECHNICAL GUIDE
SLATE ROOF
DETAILING AND
DESIGN
The information contained in this guide is for informational purposes only.
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or in part in any form, without the prior written consent of the author.
© 2024 Detail Library. All Rights Reserved.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
01 Introduction
02 Types of Slate
03 Slate Roof Terminology
04 Design Considerations
05 Detailing Components
06 Compliance with the Regulations
07 Next Steps
08 Thank you!
01
INTRODUCTION
Slate roofs have been part of British architecture for centuries. You see slate
roofs in all forms from small village cottages to large country estates.
In this post we will explore some of the key factors to consider when designing
a slate roof. We aim to share practical tips and useful resources along with a
selection of slate roof detail examples to illustrate some of the different
junctions required for detailing a pitched slate roof.
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02
TYPES OF SLATE
Slate for roofing comes in various types, each with its own characteristics and
suitability for different applications. We mention a few here but there are of
course other slate producing countries beyond the selection listed below.
Welsh Slate
Welsh slate is quarried primarily in North Wales, and is renowned for its
exceptional quality and durability. It has a fine grain and uniform texture, with
a distinct blue-grey colour. Welsh slate is often used for high-end roofing
projects, particularly in heritage restoration and conservation work where
authenticity is important.
Spanish Slate
Spain is a major producer of slate, with regions such as Galicia and Catalonia
known for their high-quality slate deposits. Spanish slate is exported worldwide
and a popular choice for roofing materials on both residential and commercial
projects where cost effectiveness is a priority. Spanish slate varies in colour and
texture depending on the specific quarry. It typically has a coarser texture and
may exhibit shades of blue, grey, green or purple.
Burlington Slate
Burlington slate is quarried in the Lake District in Cumbria, renowned for its
unique blue-black colour and exceptional quality. It has a smooth texture and
uniform colour, and is often considered one of the finest roofing slates in the
world. It is usually used on prestigious roofing projects, including historic
buildings, stately homes and luxury residences.
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Chinese Slate
China is one of the largest producers of slate in the world, which is exported
globally and known for its affordability. Chinese slate quality varies widely
depending on the quarry, with some exhibiting inconsistencies in colour,
texture and durability. Chinese slate is often used for budget-conscious roofing
projects where cost is a primary consideration.
Artificial Slate
Artificial or synthetic slate is made from a mixture of cement, fibre and
additives, moulded to replicate the appearance of natural slate. Some artificial
slates can incorporate recycled materials. Artificial slate closely mimics the look
of natural slate but is generally lighter in weight and more uniform in
appearance. It offers benefits such as easier handling, lower cost and
consistent quality.
Artificial slate is suitable for a wide range of roofing applications, particularly
where weight restrictions, cost considerations or design flexibility are
important. It is worth noting that artificial slate does not have the same sort of
textured surface as a natural slate therefore not providing the same level of
ventilation between the slates as natural slate. This is an important
consideration when detailing slate roofs.
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03
SLATE ROOF
TERMINOLOGY
Head - the upper edge of the slate when laid
Tail - the lower edge of the slate when laid
Face - the upper surface of the slate when laid
Lap - the distance that the tails of the slates overlap in one course, the heads of
the slates to the next course below
Bond or Side Lap - the horizontal distance between the side of a slate and the
side of the slate immediately above it
Gauge - the vertical distance between the tail of one slate and the tail of the
slate immediately above it
Holing Gauge - the distance between the tail of the slate and the nail hole
Batten Gauge - the distance between the battens
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04
DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
Some of the main factors to be taken into account when designing a slate roof
include site exposure, roof pitch, type of slate and slate lap.
Site Exposure
One of the first considerations when designing a slate roof is the climate
conditions of the site.
The level of exposure a building faces from driving rain influences the required
minimum lap specification. Additional factors such as tall buildings, structures
situated on slopes or hilltops, and coastal locations may elevate the exposure
rating necessary for a particular project.
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The roof must be designed with adequate resistance to wind uplift. BS5534,
BRE Digest 346 and BS6399 can help with design calculations for wind uplift
and wind load.
Roof Pitch for Slate Roof
The pitch of the slate roof plays an important role in its performance and
aesthetic appearance - but also has implications on the design.
Traditional natural slate roofs typically feature steeper pitches, ranging from 20
to 45 degrees. The steep slope facilitates effective water drainage and helps
prevent water infiltration. BS5534 recommends a minimum pitch of 20
degrees.
However, you do see slate roofs with a shallower pitch, some artificial slate
suppliers can guarantee their slates can be used on pitches as low as 10
degrees.
Roof pitch design will vary according to site conditions, for instance, in areas
with heavy snowfall, a steeper pitch will be necessary to prevent the build up of
snow and potential roof collapse.
In general, the lower the pitch of the roof, the greater the lap between tiles
should be. On steeper roof pitches with free flowing drainage, smaller slates
may be used.
Lap of Slate Tiles
Lap can be described as the distance by which the tails of slates in one course
overlap the heads of the slates in the next course but one below. The required
lap of slate tiles is calculated by taking into account the wind uplift, exposure
to driving rain and the roof pitch.
Siga Slate Provide an example of exposure zones and associated lap
recommendations on their website.
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The gauge can be defined as the vertical distance between the tail of one slate
to the tail of the slate immediately above it.
Ventilation
It is important to provide suitable ventilation to a slate roof to control the
condensation and moisture build up that can occur. In order to comply with
the Building Regulations and BS5250, ventilation must be provided at eaves
level on both sides of the roof. The ventilation gap requirement varies
according to the type of roof and insulation positioning.
Ventilation must also be provided at or near the ridge as a continuous vent,
again dependent on type of roof, insulation positioning, pitch and more.
We have written a guide on Pitched Roof Ventilation and Membranes, you can
check it out here.
The ventilation path, whether for a cold roof or a warm roof, will need to be
above the line of insulation.
This means that the detailing of a slate roof will be different depending on
whether the roof has insulation at ceiling level (cold roof) or insulation at rafter
level (warm roof).
It is important to note that natural slate provides more ventilation than
artificial slate due to its more uneven surface allowing for some airflow
between the surfaces of each slate. Therefore the ventilation and membrane
requirements of a natural slate roof will vary from an artificial slate roof.
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Structural and Fixing
The roof structure must be designed to withstand the loads of the roof itself, as
well as other factors such as wind uplift, and other conditions.
All slate roof designs should be in consultation with a structural engineer to
ensure suitable roof framing material, spacing of rafters, connections and
structural elements.
Fixing nails should either be aluminium alloy or copper, silicone bronze or
stainless steel in coastal areas. Nails must be driven to the correct depth to
avoid overexposure and potential water ingress, while ensuring they do not
puncture the membrane or felt below.
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05
DETAILING
COMPONENTS
A slate pitched roof comes with a few junctions and areas that can be
challenging to detail. Below we will explore some of the common junctions
and illustrate some detailing solutions we have produced on the Detail Library.
All of the details featured below can be downloaded from the Detail Library.
Save yourself hours of time, get a head start on your detailing - check out our
membership options.
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Slate Roof Verge
A verge on a pitched roof is the edge of the roof where the slates meet the
gable walls. They serve to seal the roof edge and prevent water ingress.
Slates can be secured at the edges using lead, zinc or GRP flashings, cement
mortar or mechanical fixings to secure the slates along the verges.
Common issues with roof verges can be slippage, cracking or mortar
degradation. Correct installation and regular maintenance can help mitigate
these issues.
Below we show an example of a slate roof verge detail.
Image of DL302 2D and 3D
DL302 shows a verge detail to cavity wall with traditional slate roof and
insulation at ceiling level. To download this detail along with the detail notes
follow the links at the end of this post.
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Slate Roof Ridge
The ridge is the highest point in the roof where the two sloping surfaces meet.
Methods for securing ridge tiles or slates include mortar, clips or mechanical
fixings, depending on the roof design and material used.
The roof often requires ventilation at ridge level, this can be provided with roof
vents towards the ridge or breathable ridge systems to allow airflow and
prevent condensation build up in the roof space. The ventilation requirements
at ridge level will depend on factors such as cold vs warm roof, roof span,
membrane specified and type of roof covering.
Below we show an example of a slate roof ridge detail.
Image of DL338 2D and 3D
DL338 shows a roll vented ridge detail for a refurbished slate roof with
insulation between and under the rafters. To download this detail along with
the detail notes follow the links at the end of this post.
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Slate Roof Valley
A roof valley is the internal angle that is formed where two roof slopes meet.
Types of valley include open valleys, where the slates are laid directly onto a
valley lining, or closed valleys where a metal valley trough is used.
Lining and flashing are essential to prevent water ingress, materials such as
lead, copper and other proprietary valley lining materials may be used to
create a watertight system.
Below we show an example of a slate roof valley detail.
Image of DL344 2D and 3D
DL344 shows a valley gutter lead and vent detail – refurbished slate roof with
insulation between and under rafters. To download this detail along with the
detail notes follow the links at the end of this post.
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Slate Roof Abutment
A slate roof abutment is the point where the roof meets a vertical surface such
as a wall or chimney. They are vulnerable to water ingress and require careful
detailing to maintain weather resistance.
Flashing, sealants and mortar are commonly used to create a watertight seal
between the roof and abutting surfaces.
Below we show a couple of examples of slate roof abutment details.
Image of DL304 2D and 3D
DL304 shows a typical party wall / masonry cavity wall to lean-to abutment
detail with a traditional slate roof insulation at ceiling level. To download this
detail along with the detail notes follow the links at the end of this post.
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Image of DL309 2D and 3D
DL309 shows a typical party wall solid masonry wall to sloped roof abutment
detail with a traditional slate roof and insulation at ceiling level. To download
this detail along with the detail notes follow the links at the end of this post.
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06
COMPLIANCE WITH
THE REGULATIONS
It is important to ensure compliance with the regulations when designing and
detailing a slate roof. Requirements will vary according to project, location and
other factors. Below we look at some of the key considerations.
Building Regulations Approval
Approved Document Part A: Structural Safety
This document sets out the structural design requirements for buildings,
including roof structures. It covers aspects such as loading, stability and
resistance to weather and ground movement.
Approved Document Part C: Site Preparation and Resistance to
Contaminants and Moisture
This document addresses measures to prevent moisture ingress into buildings,
including roofs. It covers topics such as damp-proofing, ventilation, and
drainage.
Approved Document Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power
Energy efficiency is a significant consideration in modern building design. This
document outlines requirements for thermal insulation, air permeability, and
heating systems, all of which impact the design and detailing of slate roofs.
Approved Document B: Fire Safety
Fire safety regulations dictate measures to prevent the spread of fire within
and between buildings. They may include requirements for fire-resistant
materials, compartmentation, and means of escape, which can influence the
choice of roofing materials and construction methods.
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British Standards
BS5250 Management of Moisture in Buildings and BS5534 Slating and Tiling
for Pitched Roofs and Vertical Cladding contain guidance relevant to pitched
roof design.
Product Certifications
BS5250 Management of Moisture in Buildings and BS5534 Slating and Tiling
for Pitched Roofs and Vertical Cladding contain guidance relevant to pitched
roof design.
Installation Certificates
Obtaining certificates of compliance from qualified roofing contractors or
installers to confirm that the slate roof has been constructed in accordance
with approved plans and specifications.
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07
NEXT STEPS
DOWNLOAD THE DETAILS
Sign up to the library to download any of our large and growing collection of
slate roof details. You can purchase individual details, sign up for monthly
membership to access a limited selection of details, or sign up for annual
membership to get unlimited free downloads of all the details.
DOWNLOAD THE DETAILS
DOWNLOAD THE DETAILS
DOWNLOAD THE DETAILS
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RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Building Regulations
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
British Standards
https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/slating-and-tiling-for-pitched-
roofs-and-vertical-cladding-code-of-practice?version=standard
Terminology Guide
https://www.jrcslate.co.uk/terminology/
FAQs from Cupa Pizarras
https://www.cupapizarras.com/uk/resource-centre/faqs/
Siga Slate
https://www.sigaslate.co.uk/
Airtrack
https://www.nicholsonsts.com/products/airtrak/
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08
THANK YOU!
I hope you have found this guide useful.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
If you have any questions or comments please send us an email at -
hello@detail-library.co.uk
Thanks again,
The Detail Library Team
https://detail-library.co.uk/
HAPPY DETAILING ;)
Author
Written by Emma Walshaw, Architectural Technologist.
Emma is the founder of First In Architecture and the Detail Library.
She has written a number of books on construction and detailing.
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