What to put (slate etc) on Roof

flashnazia

Hi all

Trying to get a new roof done. Builder has left it up to me to get the tiles/slate.

I haven't got a clue.:think:

I have black slate on at the moment (can I sell these?)

What's the cheapest and best (long lasting, keep house warm etc) material to use?

Thanks for any replies as I really don't know what to put.

autismmum

how about solar tiles..... think of your futiure hip.

Paparika

pretty sure you could sell the old tiles - they used to get stripped off rural outhouses for resale by TPB's. Concrete tiles are cheapest, but the roof will need to be stronger than it is with slate to take the extra weight.

adaze

Can't you use the old tiles/ slates? If they are in good condition reuse them rather than buy new one. I read somewhere about dodgy roofers, taking your quality old slates selling them on and buying cheaper slates to re-roof with.

I prefer the look of slates personally, but it shouldn't really matter tiles or slate as long as the new roof can support the weight.

flashnazia

Solar roff tile? that's sounds lke a good idea but don't they cost a bomb?

Builder suggested concrete but I don't think my 100 year old house can take it.

been quoted about 315 quid for 45 metres.

Don't really want to re-use the old tiles as I fear they will slip off again- I have one of those houses that seemed like a bargain at the time but keeps conjuring up new ways to hurt my wallet....!

simcla

Is the builders going to take your old slates away (i.e. not skipping them)? If they are I would be very wary, as your slates may end up on someone else's roof doing a sterling job! The only reason not to re-use the slates would be if they have been weathered to a point where they are really thin.. Slates generally start slipping because the nails they are fixed with have corroded away, not because of a fault of the slates themselves, thats why there is such a large market in reclaimed slates. You could also check neighbouring houses, if they are similar, to see what differing tiles they have been re-roofed with, or if the existing slates have been re-used.

lawrie28

Keep the slates!! There are a few good reasons:
1/ they are light - concrete is heavier, so you will need to add extra support to the structure of the roof - that gets expensive, or if you don't you get a saggy roof. If you walk round some victorian terraces, you will spot this problem with concrete, and will be able to see the problem.
2/ It changes the exterior of the house and is removing an origional feature. I would pay more for a house with origional slates than with a concrete roof.
You wouldn't strip the origional features from the interior, so the same from outside.
3/ It will be a lot cheaper for you to pay for some replacement slates than a new roof, especially if the roofer doesn't offer you the old slates and as someone else posted, flogged 'em.

if you are not getting some kind of air venting system put in the roof, then make sure you get a breathable membrane under the slates. if your roofer just puts on a standard membrane, like he would with a modern house, then you roof will not be able to lose moisture and you will get longer term damp/rot problems. The membrane is like gortex for roofs.

I am not an expert, but I recall this from the parents house being done 15 years ago, and that was a 100 year old terrace. (this is my disclaimer) I would get some advice from an expert on this - a surveyor or someone on this forum.

FYI - reclaimed slates are £1 - £2.50 EACH - depending on size and the origin of the slate. I got that form a quick google. A new 1 foot by 2 foot slate can be up to £5. Your roof could be worth a nice packet, but is worth more on the house... IMHO.

flashnazia

I think I'm coming round to the idea of keeping the old.

So, what does that entail? just patching it up or removing them all and relaying with new fixings?

On another note, went down to my local builders's merchants (to look at tiles) and my MP was hanging around pointlessly for an open day. How is that supposed to help constituents?

Had a good mind to ask how he voted yesterday (42 detention day) but that's another matter...

woodbutcher_2

You could have it patched but if it were me i would have it stripped,re-felted,new battens and slates refitted.If the slates are of a good quality then should last a long time.