Any type of construction usually involves the choice of material and the method of fastening it. For example, when installing a roof made of asbestos-cement sheets, an alternative may arise in choosing a fastener: slate nails or roofing screws.
For experienced installers, the answer is clear, but for those new to the field, not everything is so obvious to them, and a comparative analysis will be required to understand which option is more suitable.
At the same time, one should not forget that any negligence in the process of covering the roof with slate can bring serious trouble: in strong winds, sheets can simply be torn off.
Therefore, the choice of fasteners must be taken seriously.
Characteristics and rules for mounting slate nails
We list the properties and characteristics of such a means of fastening as slate nails:
- They are produced in various lengths, ranging from 17 mm to 120 mm, always with an oversized cap, reaching 14 mm. They are made of steel with subsequent application of an anti-corrosion galvanized coating on it.
- The length of the slate nail is selected based on the proportional dependence on the size of the slate ridge (the greater the height of the ridge, the longer the nail, respectively). The length of the nail must exceed the sum of the timber thickness roof battens and the height of the slate ridge by at least 10 mm. But you can't bend it. If this rule is neglected, then over time, due to temperature changes (summer-winter) and the difference in the expansion of materials (wood, metal, slate), the slate sheet in this place can crack along the length of the ridge. In the event that there is a possibility of injury on a protruding nail, it can be trimmed with a grinder or any other tool suitable for this purpose.
- Also, one should not forget that it is necessary to drive a nail into the crest of a slate sheet in order to prevent leakage under the roof of water moving along depressions during precipitation.
Advice! When purchasing slate nails - the weight of the package is more than 24 kg, you need to find an assistant for their manual transportation.
- Even more protection can be provided by means of a rubber gasket placed under the nail head. do-it-yourself slate roofs from moisture.
- The most reliable is the fastening of slate sheets with nailed nails, which, after nailing, “sit” very tightly inside the wooden beam of the crate. . If you try to pull out a nail of this type, it is more likely to break and partially remain inside than to be completely removed.
- To use nails as roofing fasteners, you will not need any special tool other than a regular hammer and pliers. However, this procedure is not as simple as it seems, since it is necessary to determine exactly when to stop and stop driving the nail. If this moment is incorrectly determined, there is a possibility of splitting the slate sheet.
Advice! When fastening flat sheets of asbestos cement, a special clamp for flat slate can be used.
Characteristics and installation rules for roofing screws for slate
If nails for fastening slate are more often used in the construction of budget-type buildings, then for slate flooring and other types of roofing (metal tiles, etc.) of private houses and cottages, there is a large selection of roofing screws.
Features of roofing screws are as follows:
- They are made from hardened steel, so self-tapping screws are more durable and stronger than slate nails.
- Due to the large assortment of self-tapping screws regarding their dimensions, you can accurately select the appropriate option based on the height of the material crest.
- In addition, self-tapping screws are produced in various colors, which, with proper selection, makes them completely invisible.
- The heads of such self-tapping screws come in various shapes: for a wrench or a screwdriver. Fasteners can have a drill-shaped tip or just a sharp end.
- Another feature of self-tapping screws is the ability to screw them into the material without the need to drill an inlet hole.
- The installation of self-tapping screws can be automated, while slate nails can only be installed completely by hand.
- Almost always, roofing screws are sold complete with sealing gum under the heads.
As you understand, self-tapping screws in most cases are still a better and more reliable means of fastening. slate roofs. However, for outbuildings and on a tight budget, nails are also a good option.
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