Slate
Stone, split by hand and hung on copper.
A slate roof is chosen for the next century, not the next sale of the house.
I
Open copper valley
Slate stops short of the center, so water runs on copper, not under stone. The crimp breaks the flow from one slope crossing to the other.
II
Slate courses and copper nails
Each slate covers the joint below and laps the course two below by the headlap. Two copper nails per slate, set so the slate hangs, not pinned tight.
III
Copper ridge saddle
A formed copper saddle over the last course, locked into a cleat, with a standing seam on top that sheds water both ways.
IV
Eave with a half-round gutter
A doubled starter course at the eave, a copper drip, and a half-round gutter on forged hangers fixed to each rafter tail.
Questions about slate
Can my house carry slate or clay?
Many older Dallas houses were built for it; many newer ones were not. Slate and clay weigh three to five times a shingle roof, so a structural engineer reviews the framing before we order.
Do you repair old slate roofs?
Yes. A slate roof with broken pieces or failed flashings is often decades from replacement. We match slate from salvage or the original quarry when it is still running.
Why copper nails?
A slate can outlast a steel nail. When the nail goes, the slate slips. Copper lasts as long as the stone.
Will the copper turn green?
Bright copper goes brown within months and, in our climate, takes many years to show green. If you want the patina now, it can be ordered pre-patinated.
Private roof study
We begin with a walk of the roof and a measured drawing.
- The visit
- About two hours, on the roof and in the attic
- You receive
- Drawings, a material recommendation and a written price
- By telephone
- (214) 555-0163
New email ·
A request for a roof study
- From
- Telephone
- Their study
- Project
- Where
- Architect
- Visit
Demo: nothing was sent. On the live site this goes straight to Thornbury Slate & Copper.