Roofing?

[Maria CM]

In my disarray on slate purchasing decisions I am back her (despite not being able to dive at the mo):(

Anyone an authority on roofing? I just don't know which ones to buy....

If anyone knows about it I'llpost some details...

Many thanks,

Maria

[Ed Howarth]

I'm a surveyor and know a little but I have friends who are builders.

First thought is what style of house is it and can you match others nearby.

Let us know more details...

There is some dodgy foreign slate out there which is cheap but will break off at the first sign of strong wind.

Ed

[bythesea]

pretty much unanswerable on the net. What are they replacing, what weight will the roof structure hold, are you in a conservation area, what are on the neighbouring houses....

You need someone to come around and have a look, book three people for quotes and thoughts.... see what the average consensus is...

There are some good solar panels around at the moment that look like slate instead of looking like something from a 70s sci fi movie, worth considering if you have a south facing roof of 30m2 or more.....

[Maria CM]

Oooh - thank you both!

DH (who used to be a bricklayer before going for a bean-countery type office building contracts job) will be doing the roof, hence a lot of the confusion (!) and the fact that I now know a "bit more than the average bear, Booboo" about types of flashing etc ;)

But reading cannot replace first-hand knowledge of products and this is all stuff of opinions and sales pitches rather than reading technical manuals so I am rather confuzzled.

Therefore I think it is sensible to get a good quality and easy-to-work slate that requires minimal sorting and there will be less breakages on and minimal rusting.

I'm in Suffolk so the weather isn't too extreme but it is quite windy as wee are in the highest part of Suffolk. Pitch is 1 in 9.

The existing slates are blue-black Welsh 120 year old ones so we would like some that look the same but Welsh slate is really expensive.

Ridgeons are suggesting Siga 39 - other suppliers are saying those are 'second' quality so not as good.

When I contacted SIG direct they recommended those or SIGA 172 (which bumps up the cost an awful lot.

Sandpiper are suggesting Chinese 1st Bellevue or Spanish Contessa 2nd, which I am not sure about and have heard bad stuff about Chinese particularly though they insist these ones are good.

JJ Roofing are suggesting Spanish Villa del Ray 1sts for which they are charging about the same price as the SIGA 39s.

Any offers or general thoughts?

Many thanks,

Maria

[Maria CM]

By the sea - I'll check the square area of the roof when I get back from school run!

OK - the front bit where the ridge runs approx east to west is 20.81msq and the fall is 1 in 8, the hip where the ridge runs approx north to south is 40.91msq and the fall is 1 in 9......

Hope that makes sense - the back garden is south, south west facing.

best wishes,

Maria

[Ed Howarth]

I have asked one of my builder mates to give advice...

In the meantime, are you roofing a new extension, or replacing an existing roof? If the latter, what proportion of the slates are knackered?

Ed

[Ed Howarth]

I am told that one of the problems with Chinese and Spanish slates is that sometimes the grain runs from side to side. Given a bit of wind, they snap nicely across.

Have a look at Marley Eternits. They *are* artificial, but you might be surprised at their appearance. Manufacturers are getting better and better at making these look natural. In addition they have an additional bottom clip which prevents lifting in windy conditions.

Ed

[Maria CM]

Thanks Ed - sorry for delay in relying - I had an unexpected hospital admission!

It is for an extension.

Slates with grain going the wrong way sounds very dodgy:eek:

best wishes,

Maria

[Ed Howarth]

OK Maria,

The planners will obviously have a large input as to which slate is acceptable. Now, I am nor prejudging their stand, but they may well want you to match the existing. It's your job to find a decent quality slate that is a reasonable match that they're happy with.

Some things in a house, you can scrimp on, but you want the roof to be right. It's going to be there for an awful long time.

Don't forget to knock on neighbours' doors if they've had an extension. Most people are willing to share information.

Ed

[Maria CM]

They have specified natural slate rather than composite or whatever but have said other than that it is fine and they don't need to see it first..

I had some slate samples arrive yesterday while I was still 'in'.

There are three cottages built the same time as ours and they (and ours) were all extended at the back in the 70's and haven't been done since so I don't think anyone will remember...

best wishes,

Maria

[bythesea]

Re the Chinese slate with the grain running the wrong way......

Just turn it round 90 degrees

[Ed Howarth]

Re the Chinese slate with the grain running the wrong way......

Just turn it round 90 degrees
Not square. Might have fixing holes in it...

Ed

[Maria CM]

Not square. Might have fixing holes in it...

Ed

That confused me completely - they all seem to come pre-drilled.

No offers between the types of slates?

best wishes,

Maria

[bythesea]

Not square. Might have fixing holes in it...

Ed

T'was a joke....

[Maria CM]

T'was a joke....

Aha!:)

[Ed Howarth]

whooosh

[oveJaonsure]

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