Slate Roof Pitch

Conclusions of the low pitch slate roof testing.

Slate roof pitch.

The ssq low pitch slate roofing system uses a combination of special width slates and hook fixing techniques and is a result of the knowledge and experience we ve accumulated during 25 years working within the slate quarrying and slate roofing industries. Shingles can be fabricated from a wide range of materials such as asphalt least expensive to natural wood metal tiles and heavy slate most expensive. The roof pitch is important in determining the appropriate installation method and how much roofing material will be needed. It is uncommon to find a roof below 15 but for those very low pitch applications there are interlocking clay pantiles available suitable for use down to 12 5.

As per the nrca roofing and waterproofing manual fifth edition they recommend that roof deck slopes intended for the application of steep slope materials at 4 12 18 degrees or greater page 405. Economically priced and available in either blue or black it can be pitched at 15. Roof pitch is used to describe the slope or angle of the roof. Roof pitch or slope is a measure of vertical rise to horizontal run expressed in inches per foot.

Conventional roofs are the easiest to construct and you can walk on them safely. The system has been well received and we are delighted to be able to provide reference. Generally a slate roof is not installed on a pitch less than 4 12. Economically priced and available in either blue or black it can be pitched at 15.

Slating terms and phrases if you are not a seasoned roofer some of the terms used for slates batten spacing or overlapping of the slates can add to the confusion. Traditionally a minimum roof pitch of 20 was recommended in bs 5534 but modern tiles and slates have now been designed for applications as low as 15. Roof pitch the angle of a roof not only determines what slates to use but the amount of overlap that the slate roof needs to remain waterproof. With regards to the pitch the building standard code bs 5534 recommends a minimum pitch of 20 0 for slate roofs.

You can also calculate roof pitch even without using a roof slope calculator. High pitched roofs often need extra fasteners and their pitch can be as high as 21 12. Pitched roofs are most often associated with asphalt shingles although standing seam roofs are becoming ever more popular on pitched roofs as well. Following the successful test results we are happy to advise specifiers and contractors that they can choose a siga natural slate roof as low as 15 degrees sheltered or moderate exposure and 17 5 degrees severe exposure if the slates are hook fixed with a 150mm lap.

These roofs have a pitch less than 4 12. The marley thrutone slate is a perfect example of a low roof pitch option.