Traditional types of material
There is an opinion that slate is a material that has no variety. However, today a large number of types of these products are represented on the construction market.
Natural slate( the same natural) - this is a small plate of roof slate. They can be any shape, size and height, and also have good decorative qualities. Often it has a gray and light gray color, other colors are very rare. Advantages of this material are high thermal conductivity, resistance to temperature changes, good hydro and noise insulation. The natural slate is durable and can be used for hundreds of years without losing its qualities.
Asbestos slate was originally produced from waste that remained from the manufacture of natural slate. As a result, it is the cheapest material for roofing with low thermal conductivity. However, it perfectly resists atmospheric influence and does not lend itself to combustion. It is frost-resistant, but its service life does not exceed 30 years. The disadvantage is the presence in the composition of asbestos, which is harmful to human health.
Note! Asbestos product due to the presence of harmful substances in its composition is banned for production in many countries.
Which slate is better from modern designs?
The modern types of this material include soft slate. Its distinguishing feature is its long service life and relatively low weight. Often it is used for laying on top of an old flooring. It consists of mineral fiber, impregnated with bitumen. The popularity of this product is due to the ease of installation and attractive appearance.
Metal slate or corrugated board is a very popular material for roofing. It is made of galvanized iron and covered from above with a protective layer. Previously, it was used only for the roofing of industrial buildings, but after it began to be coated with polymer compounds, it began to be widely used for individual construction.
Note! Metal slate has a poor sound insulation and strongly resonates with rain, wind and other natural factors.
To date, it is becoming more popular to become a Euro-sphere. This material has a huge selection of different colors, which makes it very attractive for roofing houses. In addition, it has good thermal conductivity, resistance to atmospheric effects, and it is environmentally friendly. The life of this species is 50 years. All these qualities make it the best material for the price-quality ratio among all types of slate.
How to choose the "right" slate?
Types of slate exist very different, so there is a logical question, how to choose a slate? To do this, let's look at the factors that should be taken into consideration when buying:
- fragility - this factor is important, since too brittle material can be damaged even from hail or moderate wind, therefore, this parameter should be given serious consideration;
- durability - in principle, all types of slate have a long service life, so there is no need to guess here;
- strength - this factor is important, especially in the process of installing the material;
- fire resistance;
- sound insulation;
- assortment of color solutions.
After determining what kind of material you will buy, you should calculate its quantity. To do this, it is best to bring roof drawings to the store in order to make a calculation on the spot. If there are no drawings, you will have to call a gage on the object.
Important! Be sure to check the quality certificate for the selected product before purchase.