How to make a slate fence. How to make a fence from old slate - the trick of attaching a sheet. Features of self-installation of a slate fence

A slate fence is a design that has not been seen too often lately.

This budget version of the fence was replaced by more durable, reliable and aesthetic options.

However, in some cases, slate becomes, if not the only, then the best choice for building a fence.

Most often, to make a slate fence (a cost calculator can be easily found on the Internet), they use material dismantled from the old roof, so the appearance and quality characteristics of such a fence leave much to be desired.

The cost of a new slate sheet is quite affordable for the average consumer, and the fence will have the following undeniable advantages:

sufficient durability. The average service life of a properly executed slate fence is measured in several decades;
affordable cost compared to many other, more modern building and finishing materials;
unpretentiousness in care. A feature of the material is its resistance to decay and corrosive changes, as well as high resistance to temperature extremes;
simplicity and speed of self-assembly, as well as no need to involve specialists or use expensive professional equipment and tools.

A creative approach allows you to get a fence that is distinguished by a presentable and very original appearance. The most notable disadvantage of a slate fence is its increased fragility. A point, strong enough blow, can cause cracking.

A fence made of flat slate is maintainable, so the damaged area can be restored with steel overlays, and a sheet of wave-type building and finishing material can only be completely replaced.

Fencing examples

A significant mass of slate sheet involves the construction of sufficiently strong load-bearing structures, therefore, when choosing the type and external design of the fence, you must definitely focus on this feature.

There are also a few key factors to consider:

flat slate sheets are more expensive, but allow you to make fences with the most aesthetic appearance;
one of the popular varieties of flat sheets is pressed slate, which is characterized by high weight and the ability to withstand a fairly serious level of load;
flat sheet slate is recommended to be laid in supporting structures, represented by a frame based on metal corners, which allows to increase the strength of the fence, and also significantly improves the appearance;
fences based on wave slate foliage are mounted very simply, and the material is overlapped, with accurate alignment of the waves.

Slate fence: photo of a combination with a stone

Among other things, slate sheets are perfectly combined with other materials, including brick, metal, wood and stone. Therefore, with the right approach to choosing a design, you can independently build a very original and stylish, inexpensive fence.

In addition to sheets based on asbestos cement, metal and plastic type slate is often used for the installation of fences. The second option is more preferable, due to the ability to build the lightest and most translucent fence.

For those who do not want, like everyone else, there is a large and interesting material and their design features.

And when you want to not only fence yourself off from your neighbors, but decorate your backyard, decorative fences come to the rescue. You will find some interesting design ideas in.

Useful video

The video shows the entire process of installing a new slate fence, except for concreting the fence posts:

At the final stage, the erected fence is decorated by applying an acrylic or alkyd-acrylic coloring composition. Also, a decorative plaster coating can be applied to slate sheets, which will make it possible to obtain not only an economical and practical, but also a very attractive option for fencing.

It is unlikely that today it would occur to anyone to specifically buy slate for the construction of a fence. Against the backdrop of a variety of modern building materials, slate looks frankly poor, although for the price this is not the cheapest option. But if there is an opportunity to put into action and give a second life to the slate, which was removed, for example, from the roof, then you can build a blank fence around a summer house, a farm, a small industrial enterprise. It is quite possible to build a slate fence on your own.

Issue price

Many people remember the time when there was an abundance of slate on the construction market, and there was practically no competition for this building material. That is why slate fences were more common than others. And not because it is cheap or beautiful, but because other options either cost a pretty penny or simply did not fit the standard design of unpretentious buildings.

To date, a slate fence is not the cheapest option. This is in the event that the material will have to be purchased. Among the budget types of fences, a welded mesh, a type-setting wooden fence can compete. The cost of slate at a price can be correlated with the cost of a profiled sheet. Slate will look like a very budget option against the background of the cost of brick, metal or natural stone.

Benefits of slate fencing

Despite the huge number of options, a do-it-yourself slate fence is simple, fast, fairly inexpensive, and neat. So, it makes sense to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of slate. It has been successfully used in construction for many decades. During this time, many advantages of this material have been revealed:

The average price category of the material indicates its availability to the buyer with different financial capabilities. However, do not forget that additional costs will have to be incurred for the purchase of support poles, material for the frame, and fasteners.

Note!At a cost, a flat slate fence will be slightly more expensive than a wave slate fence.

Slate fencing in regions with a temperate and dry climate will last a very long time. But mechanical damage will immediately lead to the end of the service life of such a structure.
Slate is a non-combustible material. But at very high temperatures, it cracks. Therefore, during a fire, the fence is unlikely to withstand, but it will not emit harmful combustion products.
This building material is resistant to temperature extremes characteristic of a temperate climate. This gives it advantages over other popular material - corrugated board.
Caring for slate fencing is very simple. In case of damage, individual sections are easily changed. It can be cleaned, washed, painted. Although the latter is not particularly necessary, because today you can find colored slate on sale.
A slate fence is unlikely to save from street noise. But during hail or heavy rain, the noise from it will be much less compared to profiled sheet, stainless steel, tin or metal.
The material is resistant to aggressive chemicals, corrosion, and does not conduct current. The fence from it does not let in light and is a reliable protection from prying eyes.

Disadvantages of slate fencing

Slate, like any other material, has some disadvantages:

A controversial drawback is the presence of asbestos in the slate. Asbestos is harmful to human health if the dust is inhaled during cutting or while working in a warehouse or production shop. During operation, slate does not emit any harmful substances, therefore it is considered a safe material.
The heavy weight of the material requires special attention during installation. In order to avoid tilting the fence during operation, care should be taken to ensure the reliability of the frame.
In regions with a humid climate, slate fencing is not the best option. Under the influence of moisture, it will be covered with moss, darken and crack.
This building material is not resistant to mechanical stress. Any damage will require replacement of the sections. Over time, if the fence begins to slope, the slate sheets may begin to crack from contact with the base, as well as at the attachment points with support pillars.
Attractive slate fencing can not be called. Made of wave slate, it looks very cheap. A more attractive option is to enclose the area with flat slate.

Which slate to choose for the fence

Thinking about how to make a slate fence with your own hands, you need to decide on the type and features of the installation.

The building materials market offers two types of slate - flat and wave. Flat slate is more expensive. It is believed that the appearance of the fence from it is more aesthetic. A kind of flat slate - pressed. It is much heavier than usual, but it also withstands a serious load. When installing the fence, flat sheets of slate are recommended to be laid in a metal frame from the corners. Thus, two tasks are solved: the strength of the structure is enhanced and the appearance is improved.

Flat slate fence on a metal corner

It is much easier to mount a fence from a wave slate than from a flat one. The sheets will have to be overlapped, carefully combining the waves.

Finished wave slate fence

Features of mounting a slate fence

It is quite possible to install a slate fence on your own, without the involvement of specialists, without building skills and complex tools. You just need to follow simple recommendations and consistently perform all stages of work.

How to make markup

The marking procedure for a slate fence is no different from the identical stage of work in the construction of other types of fences. The area around the perimeter of the future structure must be cleared of debris, branches, stones, and then leveled. Pull the thread along the line of the fence that has not yet been built. You can fix it on pieces of reinforcement, wooden pegs or steel bars.

Immediately you need to make marks in the places where the support pillars will be installed. In order to avoid difficulties during the installation of the entire structure, these marks must be made especially carefully. It should be borne in mind that slate cannot be built up or welded. And in case of deviation of one slate sheet by several centimeters, all subsequent sections will have to be moved with the transfer of supports. Accurate marking will facilitate all subsequent work.

How to install support poles

Depending on which pillars and what width of slate sheets you have chosen for the fence, pits are made for the supports. Depth can vary from 50 to 80 centimeters. The deeper the holes, the less likely the fence will move to the side, especially if the structure is high.

You can concrete the support pillars in one of the following ways:

Pour liquid solution
Fill with gravel and pour with concrete
Install with stone or metal spacers

To protect metal poles from corrosion, special attention must be paid to the part that is being deepened: wrap it with roofing material, paint it with oil paint or treat it with grease or used engine oil.

Section mounting

There are several ways to mount the frame and install sections on bolts:

Between the posts, fix two lines of a horizontal base. These lines can serve as a corner or a profile pipe. On such a base, the slate is screwed with bolts and nuts. Given the fragility of the material, it is necessary to reduce the load of fasteners on slate sheets. To do this, washers or silicone or rubber gaskets are used on both sides of the mount.
Another way: in addition to metal crossbars, build a concrete base in the form of a curb or pillar. Another option is a strip foundation. This will help to better hold the weight of the fence, as well as prevent cracking of the slate at the attachment points.
The next option is to do without a foundation and leave a gap between the ground and the slate at the level of 7 - 8 centimeters. The fence will not come into contact with wet soil, which means it will last much longer. A metal crossbar is welded between adjacent pillars at the right level from the ground. It should be wide enough so that wave slate can be easily installed on it. Connection method - bolted.
The easiest option is to install a fence made of flat asbestos-cement sheets. They are installed on two crossbars between the supporting pillars. Flat sheets can be scalded around the perimeter with a corner. In this case, the base is welded to the supporting pillars.

Ways to decorate a slate fence

Usually a slate fence is left completely unfinished. Perhaps because they do not know how to embellish it. The easiest way is to paint or apply patterns using a stencil. It is worth considering that with the help of acrylic and alkyd paints, you can not only transform the fence, but also significantly increase its service life. In stores you can find a special paint for coloring slate. If applied over a primer, the quality of the painting will be much higher.

Flat slate sheets can be given relief. Do this with cement mortar and stencils. The solution should resemble dough in its consistency. The surface of the sheet is leveled with the prepared solution, and then different patterns are applied using stencils.

A unique relief pattern can be applied using decorative plaster. It is applied by spraying onto a pre-plastered surface.

Slate fencing can be made simple and neat, or you can build a whole work of art. Before starting work, you need to evaluate the features of the site, operating conditions, as well as your own requirements for the functionality and appearance of the fence.

Perhaps one of the most affordable materials for installing a fence can be called slate. By this name, by the way, they often mean not only classic asbestos-cement slate, but also profile corrugated material made of metal, rubber, plastic, bitumen and cellulose. Not all types are suitable for fencing a site or some part of it, but only those that have a rigid structure.

A do-it-yourself slate fence can be installed from a wave or flat material made from asbestos cement or metal. Sometimes, but very rarely, a bitumen-cellulose variant, known as ondulin or euroslate.

Types of slate suitable for installing a fence

To make a choice, you need to know all the advantages and disadvantages of each type of material, the possible difficulties of the installation process.

Asbestos concrete slate

Asbestos concrete slate is most often used to install fencing sites and places for keeping pets. It is produced in the form of flat and wavy sheets. The composition of the material for their manufacture is approximately the same, but the sheets themselves can have different thicknesses and sizes.

The mixture for the manufacture of this material includes three components in different percentages - these are asbestos (10%), cement (85%) and water. 5% can be allocated to various modifying additives. After kneading, the composition is pressed into sheets of the desired size and shape, and then it is sent for drying in a certain mode.

wave slate

"Classic" wavy slate

Asbestos-cement wave (in some sources - wavy) slate is used for the following works:

Wave slate, which has a regular profile, is used to cover roofs.
Wave slate with a reinforced profile is used to cover the roofs of industrial buildings, as it differs from ordinary sheets in a longer length.
Wave slate, which has a unified profile, is used both for covering residential buildings and for industrial buildings. It has a medium size, that is, more how ordinary, but less how at the reinforced

The table shows the standard dimensions of wave slate:

Dimensional parameters	Value in mm (depending on profile type)		Limit deviations
	40/150	54/200
Length (L)	1750	1750	±15
Width (B):
6 wave sheet	-	1125	±15
7 wave sheet	980	-	+10; -5
8 wave sheet	1130	-
Thickness (t)	5.8	6,0; 7,5	+1,0; -0,3
Wave Height:
Private (h)	40	54	+4,0; -3,0
Overlapping (hᶦ)	32	54	+4,0; -5,0
Overlapped (h ²)	32	45	+4,0; -6,0
Overlap Width (b ᶦ)	43	60	±7
Edge overlap width (b ²)	37	65	-
Wave pitch (S)	150	200	-

flat slate

Flat asbestos concrete slate is used for fences more often than wave, as it is more convenient to install and has a large thickness.

Flat slate sheet size in mm	Sheet weight in kg.
Flat asbestos concrete unpressed sheet (LNP)
3000x1500x12	104
3000x1200x12	83
3000x1500x10	87
3000x1200x10	78
Flat asbestos-concrete pressed sheet (LPP)
3000x1200x40	348.1
3000x1200x35	293.98
3000x1500x25	250
3000x1500x20	180

This material is used not only for fencing the site, but also for installing partitions in adjoining utility rooms or for cladding walls with them.

General physical and performance characteristics asbestos concrete slate - in table:

Name of indicator	Indicator value
	Wave slate 40/150	flat slate	Flat slate for cooling towers
Bending strength, MPa (kgf/cm3), not less than	16(160)	18(180)	20(200)
1,5(150)	-	-
Impact strength kDm/m2 (kgf cm/cm2), not less than	1,5(1,5)	1,5(1,5)	2,0(2,0)
Density g / cm3, not less than	1.6	1.6	1.7
Waterproof. hours, not less	24	-	-
Frost resistance: number of freeze and thaw cycles	25	25	25
- residual strength in %, not less than	90	90	90.1
Weight of one sheet in kg	26.1	30	27.1

Until recently, all slate had a uniform light gray color. Today you can find material painted in various shades.

Colored slate not only has an aesthetic appearance, but is also more protected from external influences due to a layer of protective paint. Sheets almost do not absorb moisture, which means they become resistant to low temperatures. Practice shows that the service life of painted slate sheets is about one and a half times longer than that of ordinary ones.

Any asbestos-cement sheets have their advantages and disadvantages, which you also need to know about when choosing this material for installing a fence.

Positive traits

The advantages of the "classic" slate include the following:

Affordable price compared to other materials used for the construction of fences.
Sufficient strength. Asbestos concrete the sheet can easily withstand the weight of an adult without deforming or cracking.
Slate durability. Since this material is mainly intended for roofing, manufacturers have set a minimum service life of 30 years for ordinary slate and 50 years for painted slate. However, most often quality lasts much longer. With proper installation in the fence structure, the sheets will stand no less, unless, of course, they are subjected to an accentuated shock load.
Asbestos concrete is not combustible, which is very important for fencing a suburban area.
Slate is not subject to corrosion, moisture from the soil or in the form of precipitation will not have a destructive effect on it.
The material does not heat up in the sun, which also increases its service life.
In addition, asbestos concrete can easily withstand any frost without losing its qualities. Usually the guaranteed pledged resource of frost resistance is not less 25 deep freeze and thaw cycles.

Disadvantages of asbestos-cement slate

First of all, it is necessary to name those of them that most often appear if the slate is installed in the form of a fence:

Brittleness of the material. With a directed impact or when falling, asbestos concrete sheets easily crack and split, especially in cases where they are made in violation of technology.
The weight of the sheets is quite large, which is 22-26 kg for wave slate, and even more for flat slate - from 78 to 350 kg. To install it in the form of a fence, you need to prepare a reliable foundation.
Asbestos, which is part of slate sheets, emits fumes harmful to humans, therefore, when cutting or drilling sheets, it is recommended to protect the respiratory tract and eyes from getting asbestos concrete dust. Near a fence made of such slate, it is impossible to install a children's sandbox or a pool, to equip a resting place so as not to jeopardize the health of loved ones.

By the way, in many countries the use of asbestos in residential construction has long been banned. There is debate about which material is safer - chrysotile asbestos (used in production in Russia and other countries of the former USSR) or amphibole (European development). The conclusion is that both substances are carcinogens. This must be taken into account when choosing a material for the fence.

metal slate

Metal slate is often called corrugated board, which is most often produced from galvanized steel with a thickness of 0.4 ÷ 1.0 mm. The surface of the sheet is treated with anti-corrosion compounds, primed, and covered with a polymer on top - these materials create protective layers that preserve the metal from corrosion.

Usually this is a multi-layer well-protected structure.

Metal slate is used in construction for:

, technical, industrial and utility buildings.
Construction of permanent fences for private suburban areas and temporary fences for construction sites.
Sheathing of walls of temporary or outbuildings.

Metal slate can have gentle (like a regular one) waves or angular ones.

Decking (metal slate) is divided into three types according to the height and structure of the profile:

Wall - marked with the letter "C". It is he who is more suitable for installing a fence. The wave height of this profile is from 8 to 45 mm.
The profile for the roof is designated by the letter "H". The height of its wave is from 57 to 115 mm. It is also distinguished by the fact that grooves are provided on the surface for water drainage.
The universal profile "NS" is suitable for wall cladding, and for mounting a fence, and as a roofing material. The height of its wave can be 35 ÷ 45 mm.

This material has both positive qualities and disadvantages, which you must be aware of if it is chosen for fencing the site.

Prices for various types of slate

Positive traits

Ease of installation, which can be done by one person.
The light weight of the sheets, which is only 3.5 ÷ 5 kg per 1 sq.m., allows you to do without building a foundation.
Fire resistance, resistance to high and low temperatures.
The mechanical strength of the material - it does not give t t cracks and cannot split, unlike asbestos concrete slate.
Due to the oxide and polymer coating, metal slate sheets are resistant to corrosion.
Very large selection of material colors
The low cost of metal slate can significantly save on site fencing.
The service life of metal slate is 35 years or more.
Environmental safety of the material.
The smooth surface does not allow moisture and dust to linger on the surface.

Material disadvantages

If the material is chosen for the installation of a fence, then it can be said that it has no drawbacks that could prevent such an application. There are not many disadvantages of metal slate and when using it for roofing, but they still exist:

If slate is purchased that does not have a protective coating, then its service life will be limited, since corrosion is inevitable.
The material is very noisy in heavy rain or hail.

Installed metal slate overlap. For rigidity, you can make an overlap in two waves. Therefore, this must be foreseen in advance in the calculations of the installation of pillars between spans.

Fence base

After the material for the fence has been selected, you need to decide how best to install it.

Two variants of the base for a slate fence are used - these are posts with a crate, installed at a certain distance from each other, without a unifying concrete belt, or a strip foundation with supports built into it.

When planning supports, you need to consider the weight and structure of the material chosen for the fence. So, when installing metal slate (corrugated board), any of the presented options will do.

To install a fence asbestos concrete slate, it is still recommended to choose a base with a fill.

If flat slate is chosen for the fence, the most massive of all the materials presented, then it is better to put a concrete base for it. And additionally - enclose each of the sheets in a frame welded from a metal corner.

If the columns for fixing such a structure are massive and have a large depth, then sometimes they do without a strip foundation, installing only free-standing supports.

However, flat slate is also installed directly on the ground, fixed on concrete, asbestos-cement or metal posts.

Strip foundation with pillars

The strip foundation is a reinforced concrete strip, deepened into the ground and rising above it to a certain height. Its parameters directly depend on what material the fence will be built from, since the greater the weight, the wider and deeper the foundation should be.

For a slate fence, a large foundation width is not needed. But if a fence made of flat heavy slate is installed, then the base or supporting posts must be well deepened.

The preparation process includes marking the territory, determining the fence line, digging a trench for a concrete foundation tape, drilling holes, adding a waterproofing and drainage layer, and fixing a log on them.

BUT. markup

The marking of the territory is carried out according to the plan, which is in the cadastral passport of the site.
The process starts from the corner of the future building. Used for marking rope, pieces of reinforcement or wooden pegs.

The first step is marking

First, at the corner or at the beginning of the site, an anchor point is determined, from which the direction of the trench for pouring the foundation will be marked.

The evenness of the foundation strip, and hence the entire fence, will depend on how accurately the markings are made.

After marking, the area under the stretched ropes can be additionally marked with lime, pouring lines from it.

B. Trench

The trench is dug along the marked lines, with a depth of 300 ÷ 400 mm.

Further, at a certain distance, holes are made with a hand drill for installing support posts. The maximum distance between them can be 2500 mm, and the diameter is 100 ÷ 120 mm larger than the diameter of the posts.

If the fence will use the usual asbestos concrete slate, then the posts should be installed to a width of two ÷ three overlapped sheets, provided they are fixed on two or three horizontal logs.
The depth of the holes for the poles should be about 1000 mm.

If the width between the columns is 2500 mm or more, then a hole is drilled between them for the installation of a concrete amplifier in it, which will give the necessary rigidity to the entire reinforced concrete tape.

B. Foundation pouring

Upon completion of the preparatory work, you can proceed to the arrangement of the foundation and the installation of columns.

A 100 ÷ 150 mm layer of sand is poured into the holes for the posts, and an 80 ÷ 100 mm layer of crushed stone is laid on top of it. They need to be well sealed.
Further, posts are installed in the holes and leveled according to the level (plumb).
The next step is to pour a concrete mortar made from cement and gravel into the space around the posts. In the form of spacers between the walls of wells and columns, stones selected in size can be wedged.

The poured concrete must be left to set for at least one day.

After the concrete has set, so that the posts stand rigidly, they are connected with horizontal logs, which are welded or screwed at an equal distance from each other.

For metal and flat asbestos concrete slate logs made of rolled steel (a corner or a rectangular shaped pipe) are well suited, but for a wavy asbestos concrete it is better to use wooden bars.

After that, a backfill is made into the trench under the foundation, first from sand, and then from crushed stone, and it is well compacted.
After that, it is installed, while the reinforcing bars are not welded together, but are fastened with a wire twist. The top of the reinforcement belt is located approximately 30 mm below the future foundation surface.

A wooden formwork is knocked together along the entire trench. If desired and possible, it can be installed from segments of flat slate of the desired height. Such formwork in this case can be fixed, and the foundation itself will immediately have even walls that do not require additional decorative finishing. Moreover, flat slate can then be painted in any color or applied to it with a pattern, for example, an imitation of stone or brick. The height of the above-ground part of the foundation can have a height of 200 to 500 mm.
After the formwork is ready, a concrete solution is poured into it - this process is recommended to be carried out in one step so that there are no gaps between the layers of concrete pouring. Otherwise, moisture may accumulate in the gaps, which, when frozen, can damage the solidity of the foundation tape.

From above, the concrete is leveled and left to dry. The process of drying and curing takes at least 8 ÷ 10 days. After the foundation is ready, it remains only to install slate sheets.

Prices for cement and mixture bases

Cement and mixture bases

Pillars without strip foundation

If there is no possibility or desire to arrange a foundation for a slate fence, you can get by with the installation of only columns. In this case, you will need to deepen the holes for their installation. They begin work, in the same way as during the construction of the foundation, by marking the line of the future fence.

In this embodiment, one rope is enough for marking, which is stretched starting from the anchor point for the length of the entire fence in one or two directions.

Further, along the rope measure and mark the location of the installation of the posts. A peg or piece of reinforcement is installed in the center of the future hole.
Then holes are drilled in the marked places. In this case, they must be at least 1000 mm deep and have a size larger than the diameter or cross section of the pipes by two ÷ two and a half times.

This must be done because the pipe will not have such supporting walls that would ensure its rigid verticality, which the racks have in combination with the strip foundation. This means that its position will need to be strengthened by welding several reinforcing sections to the bottom of the column, placing them crosswise.

This is especially important to do if round or square posts with a small cross section are installed.

If the support posts are used asbestos concrete pipes that have a sufficiently large diameter (150 ÷ 200 mm), they themselves must stand stably and do not require additional spacers.
Sand and gravel are poured to the bottom of the well, and then it is well compacted.

Then a column is installed, stones are poured around it, and then the remaining space is poured with concrete mortar. The verticality of the installation is immediately verified exactly, and then all this is left alone for 8 to 10 days - until the concrete sets and hardens well.

In the next step, the columns are tied with horizontal lags, which will give rigidity to the structure and will serve as the basis for attaching slate sheets.

The columns are interconnected by horizontal jumpers - lags

As a log, you can use a square pipe or a metal corner into which a wooden block is inserted and fixed - it will be easier to screw the slate sheets.

To fix horizontal logs on round pipes, special metal ear plates with holes are welded onto them.

Video: one way to install fence posts

Installation of slate sheets

After the base is ready, they proceed to, in fact, the installation of the fence from slate sheets.

It is not difficult to fasten metal sheets - they use special self-tapping screws with heads that have the color of slate sheets, equipped with a press washer and a rubber gasket

Metal slate is screwed to the lags at the bottom of the wave.

Wave mount asbestos concrete The slate is made through the top of the wave. Sheets can be fixed with slate nails or self-tapping screws. But before you screw in the screws or hammer in the nails, be sure to drill holes for them with a drill and a special drill. When tightening or driving in fasteners, rubber or silicone gaskets are put on them.

It is very important to set the first sheet of the row strictly vertically. It is installed at the building level, fixed in two or three places, in addition to the edge on which the next sheet of slate will overlap (one or two waves). The sheet is fixed on each crossbar with three to four self-tapping screws.

Flat slate can be fixed not on logs, but in a frame made of a metal corner, which is made according to the size of the sheet. The frame is welded to the supporting pillars, and then installed in it asbestos concrete flat sheet. Then, metal stoppers are welded from the back of the frame, which will hold the slate inside. This method is the most optimal when installing a fence made of flat slate, since there is no need to drill holes that weaken the material - with even a slight mechanical impact, a crack may appear on the sheet. There is only one drawback of this method - the high consumption of rolled metal.

If a sheet of flat slate is installed on the foundation and screwed to the logs or lugs welded to the support pipes, then the holes are carefully measured and carefully drilled. In this case, fastening is carried out with bolts, on which rubber gaskets are put on on both sides. And besides them, before tightening the nut, a wide metal washer is put on.

Fittings or other decorative design

In order for a fence made of metal slate to have a finished look, it can be ennobled with special fittings that are produced for wall metal profiles - these are corners of different sizes, a U-shaped bar that closes the upper and lower edges of the fence, a lower protective bar that closes the gap if necessary between the foundation and slate, as well as roofs of various types for supporting posts. All these details can be matched in color to the main shade of slate, or, conversely, they can be purchased in a different color that goes well with most of the fence.

Flat slate can be covered with plain paint, or you can even be creative and transfer an image of a corner of nature or another interesting pattern (graffiti) to it, which will complement the overall look of the entire yard.

In addition to the aesthetic transformation, the slate covered with paint will also acquire additional protective qualities, since the hygroscopicity of the material will decrease.

The task for creative hosts is artistic painting (graffiti) on the fence

You can paint not only flat slate, but also wave, although the latter can be purchased already in painted form.

Fencing from any slate is easy to install and affordable, so it is installed both on the boundary between two adjacent sections, and on the border with the street. This material will give the appearance of the territory accuracy both from the street and from the inside of the yard, therefore it will suit any design and color scheme of home decoration.

Video: an example of building a slate fence

Flat slate in everyday life is called sheet asbestos cement. Such products have been known for a long time and are used for the construction of various structures, including enclosing ones. A fence made of such material is considered one of the cheapest. In order to have no doubts about the advisability of using these products, let us briefly dwell on the advantages of such fences.

Features of slate fences

The arrangement of the foundation is not required, as for brickwork.
Small construction cost. If you focus on averaged data (they are different for each region), then, for example, about 720 rubles will have to be paid for a sheet measuring 3.5 x 1.5 (with a thickness of 10 mm). The same sample of 12 mm will cost around 1,000 rubles. And if we take into account that no special equipment or equipment is required, the services of professionals, then there is an obvious cost-effectiveness of such an option for erecting a building envelope.
During operation, flat slate does not need regular maintenance. Anyone who has encountered wood fences knows how much time and effort has to be spent on processing the material with various special compounds - flame retardants, antiseptics. Asbestos cement is only enough to paint, although some owners do not even do this. By the way, if you consider how much work it costs to paint a picket fence, then here the “plus” of flat slate is obvious.
Maintainability. It makes no sense even to compare which is easier - to replace a slate sheet or a reinforced concrete slab in the fence. And the process of restoring the integrity of brickwork is even more difficult.
For those who do not like the curious looks of their neighbors towards their site, such a fence will provide reliable protection in this regard.

Flat slate fence construction technology

We will not dwell on the process of preparing the route - how and with what to clean it, how to make markings. Each owner has his own piece of land, and he himself will determine the amount of work. Therefore, we will consider only the main stages of construction. A zealous owner himself will think of what and how can be improved.

Installation of supports

As such, it is more convenient (in terms of fastening sheets of asbestos cement) to use metal pipes. The places for the holes are determined based on the dimensions of the products, since the greater their weight, the more often the posts should be placed. But at the same time, the length of the profile used must be taken into account.

The pipe installation process is very simple. At the bottom of the hole, a small layer of fine gravel (gravel) is poured interspersed with coarse sand. Such a "bedding" is well compacted. After that, a support is installed in the hole, aligned vertically, and the same gravel is backfilled. Moreover, it needs to be “loaded” in small parts, at the same time spilling cement + sand with a solution (preliminarily ramming the next portion of crushed stone).

Curb construction

By the way, this is not required. As a rule, its installation is carried out if it is planned to tile the area. But this work is also quite simple. A shallow trench is dug between the pillars and exactly the same “filling” is made as in the holes. The elements of the curb are laid on top and fixed according to the same method.

Since the slate fence is located in the open air, it is better to use "galvanization". The blanks are fixed on poles in such a way as to form a frame on which sheets of asbestos cement will be fixed. In fact, these are 2 horizontal guides going from support to support. As an option, at the bottom, additionally install a corner on which the sheets will rest. This will also protect the lower sections of the slate from mechanical damage.

For greater reliability of such a “skeleton”, it is advisable to install vertical racks from segments of this material between the profiles (at a certain distance).

As fasteners, the so-called farmer self-tapping screws are used.

Sheet mounting

Holes for fasteners are pre-marked and drilled in the material. Experts advise fixing the slate with roofing screws. The only thing that is useful from the special tool is a screwdriver. Given the massiveness of the sheets, the work is done with an assistant.

Its peculiarity is that, firstly, it is necessary to work only with well-dried products. Otherwise, after drying, the gap between the samples will become even larger, turning into a decent gap. Secondly, they should not be placed too tightly, since when wet, the slate slightly increases its dimensions. And the owner determines the specific interval between the sheets himself, taking into account these recommendations.

Surface Finishing
It is necessary to think over how to “disguise” the ends of the fasteners sticking out from the back of the slate fence. Most likely, a coat of paint will be enough.
External finishing of sheets.

Helpful Hints

Sheet asbestos cement has a porous structure. And since any fence is a structure placed outside buildings, in the open air, experts recommend painting flat slate. Acrylic paints are most suitable, as they have good water-repellent properties. In addition, their elasticity ensures that during operation the coating layer will not become covered with cracks and will not begin to “shaggy”. On sale there are even special compositions designed specifically for painting slate fences.
There are recommendations to deepen the lower sections of the sheets, then you do not have to deal with the device of the curb. Of course, each owner himself decides the feasibility of just such an installation of slate, but one should not forget that the material is able to absorb moisture. Therefore, the usefulness of this advice is questionable. Including, in terms of the maintainability of such a fence. It is better to mount the sheets so that there is a small gap between them and the soil.
Determining the depth of the holes, it is necessary to focus on the load that the supports will experience. This is not only the weight of the sheets, but also, for example, gusts of wind. Also, will lighting fixtures be attached to the poles? There are many nuances.
To connect the fence with other structures (for example, a building), a corner is attached to their surface (vertically).
It is not recommended to use a wooden beam (instead of a profile) for fixing sheets, since the service life of any wood is limited.

Slate fences are not considered traditional fencing options, but, under certain circumstances, they can help solve the problem quickly and inexpensively.

Long service life of the material. Asbestos-cement sheets, even without additional processing, can serve for several decades. They do not change their original properties under the influence of low and high temperatures, are not subject to decay and oxidation;
The cost of the new material is affordable, although most often for permanent and temporary fences use sheets that were in use, but retained their shape;
Assembling a fence from flat slate with your own hands, as well as from wavy material, will not be difficult even for a novice builder;
Asbestos cement sheets allow the maximum use of the imagination of the master. If desired, the sheets can be cut and create original design elements. Paint can be applied to flat surfaces, creating whole paintings.

Slate fences have and negative qualities:

Fragility. Asbestos-cement sheets are quite easy to damage when struck with a hard object or when bent. The sheets burst, crack, and as a result, for repair, the whole element has to be replaced;
The slate does not burn, but bursts at high temperatures, firing individual pieces.

What slate to use

You can make a slate fence with your own hands from wavy or flat sheets. Wave material is more often used as a roof covering, while flat slate has many more applications.

flat slate

This material is abbreviated LP-P and LP-NP, which means pressed flat sheet and non-pressed flat sheet.

The difference between pressed and unpressed material is determined by the different value of bending strength.

Pressed sheets have greater strength due to a denser structure, which increases the service life of the material, its frost resistance and resistance to shock loads. The positive aspects of non-pressed products include their small, compared with pressed sheets, weight, as well as lower cost.

The industry produces flat slate in three main sizes:

1x1.5 m;
2x1.5 m;
3x1.5 m.

Wavy slate

The following abbreviations are used to designate corrugated sheets VO, VU and UV, which means wave ordinary, wave enhanced and unified wave. Sheets differ not only in strength characteristics, but also in size: VO - 1120x680 mm, VU - 2800x1000 mm, UV - 1750x1125 mm.

Ordinary corrugated products are used for organizing roofing at small private housing construction facilities (sheds, summer cottages, bathhouses), reinforced sheets can be used to cover roofs at industrial facilities, and universal slate is suitable for any buildings and structures.

For the fencing device, the most suitable option would be to use a reinforced corrugated sheet.

It has the highest strength among the considered asbestos-cement wave materials, which means it will last longer as a material for the fence. In addition, reinforced sheets are light in weight (27 kg), which is important when making a do-it-yourself wave slate fence.

Specially buying slate in order to build a fence does not make much sense. If you have to spend on fencing, especially if you have to make a fence on the facade of the site, it is better to purchase stronger and more durable sheets of metal profiled sheet, but if you have to make a fence between neighboring areas, then it is best to make a fence from old slate with your own hands.

Which base to choose

Two options can be used as a foundation for a slate fence: a strip base and individual concreting for each pillar.

Tape base

This type of foundation involves the selection of soil around the entire perimeter of the future fence. The width of the tape should be at least twice the diameter of the post, and the depth depends on the depth of soil freezing in the area, but cannot be less than 0.8 m.

A wooden formwork is being prepared for pouring. The pillars are installed at the time of pouring, tracking the verticality with a plumb line.

This type of foundation is quite expensive and its organization for the construction of a slate fence is not reasonable. The use of slate implies savings, and strip foundations are best used for the construction of capital brick or concrete fences.

Individual concreting of pillars

It is much more efficient and cheaper to perform concreting of each support. Individual concreting is carried out as follows:

Holes are dug at the marked points using a drill or manually. The diameter of the hole should be twice the diameter of the column. The depth of the hole must be at least 800 mm.
Sand is poured at the bottom of the hole and compacted, fine gravel is poured on top and also compacted.
Roofing material is used for waterproofing equipment. It is laid along the length of the hole in such a way that it fits snugly against the walls, in this case the roofing material also plays the role of a formwork for concrete.
Concrete for pouring the support is made from M400 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3.
The solution prepared in a concrete mixer is poured into a hole, after which a pole is inserted.
To install the post strictly vertically, you need to check it with a plumb line and a vertical level.
The full set of concrete strength occurs within 28 days, but to continue the installation of the fence, it is enough to withstand 7 days. The gained strength will be enough for the installation of guides and slate.

Necessary materials and tools

To make a slate fence, you will need to prepare the following materials:

flat slate. The height of the fence will correspond to the height of the slate - 1.5 m, the length of the slate should be chosen based on the convenience of work and the marking of the supporting pillars;
support. For corner posts and gate supports, it is best to use more powerful metal pipes with a cross section of 100 mm; for intermediate supports and gates, metal posts with a cross section of 80 mm will suffice;
as transverse guides for asbestos-cement sheets, a 50 mm thick edged board is used;
for mounting jumpers on a pole, you will need to organize a jumper in the form of a metal corner, 250 mm in size. At least two jumpers are required for each post, for attaching the guides from above and below;
as a fastening material for the slate, self-tapping screws are required, for fastening the guide bolts with nuts.

To install the structure, you will need to purchase the following tools:

level;
plumb;
drill for preparing holes for poles;
shovel;
a container for preparing concrete or a concrete mixer;
drill;
screwdriver;
welding machine;
hacksaw;
wrenches;
cutting wheels for concrete and grinder;
goggles, gloves and a respirator.

Asbestos dust is very harmful to health, so when working with slate cutting wheels, you need to use a respirator and goggles.

Calculation of the required amount of materials with examples

In order to correctly calculate the required amount of materials for a slate fence, you should accurately measure the length of the future fence. Before starting work, you need to find reference points that mark the boundary of the site, this must be done by the owner himself. In order to avoid claims and disputes with neighbors, you may have to call surveying specialists and update the site layout plan.

We assume that the boundary boundaries of the site coincide with the existing ones, and using the example of a 20x25 meter site, we will make a step-by-step calculation of the necessary materials:

The perimeter of the site is 90 m. For the equipment of the gate, 4 meters will be required, and 1 meter for the gate, respectively, the blind fence remains: 90-4-1 = 85 meters. If flat slate with dimensions of 1.5x3 m is used for installation, to cover 85 meters you will need: 85/3 = 28.33 sheets, rounded up and it turns out - 29 sheets.
Considering the height of the fence is 1.5 m and the need to deepen the support column into the ground at a distance of at least 1.5 meters, we find the height of the column - 3 meters. For corner supports and gates, you will need 6 pillars with a cross section of 100 mm.
To calculate the number of intermediate supports, divide one side of the fence by the distance between the posts (it is recommended to install the posts every 2.5 meters). 20/2.5=8 posts in width and 25/2.5= 10 posts in length. From the length of the front side, you need to subtract the width of the gate and gate: 20-4-1=15, and also divide by 2.5. The total will be: 20 pillars in length (two sides), 8 pillars in width on one side, and 6 pillars on the front side. In total, 34 intermediate supports with a cross section of 80 mm and a length of 3 m are required.
Boards with a thickness of 50 mm and a width of 130 mm were chosen as transverse guides. With two rows of guides at the top and bottom, 180 meters of boards will be required.
A metal corner 50x50 mm 250 mm long will be used as a support for the guides. The total number of pillars is: 6 + 34 = 40, respectively, 80 segments of the corner will be required, with a total length of 20 meters. When buying a corner, you should take into account the length of the standard product (6, 9 and 12 m).
To attach the rails to the support, you will need 80 mm bolts with nuts. For 80 supports with two attachment points, 160 bolts will be required.
To fix the slate, self-tapping screws 50 mm long will be used. For each sheet, 12 self-tapping screws are required (fastening pitch 500 mm), respectively, for the entire fence you will need: 29x12 \u003d 348 self-tapping screws.
The concreting of one support will require 5 kg of cement and 15 kg of sand. All you need is: cement - 40x5 = 200 kg (4 bags), sand - 40x15 = 600 kg.

The depth of penetration of the support pillars depends on the depth of soil freezing in the construction area, so the height of the pillars will differ depending on the climatic zone.

Instructions for building a slate fence

The construction of the fence consists of several stages. The following instructions will help beginners in construction independently complete all the work in stages and without errors.

Planning. Before starting work, you should prepare a plan. On the plot diagram, the points where the corner posts will be located should be noted, the distance between them is measured, and the installation sites of the intermediate supports are marked.

Markup. All support placement points are transferred from the plan directly to the site. The corner points are found first and pegs are placed on them. Further, a cord is stretched around the entire perimeter, which will allow you to accurately mark the installation sites for intermediate supports, and a peg is also driven in to indicate the place of support.

Excavation. At the next stage, holes are prepared for the supporting pillars. The depth of immersion of the support into the ground depends on the depth of freezing in the area, but making holes less than 0.8 m deep is not recommended.

Pillar preparation. Before installing the pillars, it is necessary to prepare them for being in an aggressive environment, for which the metal surface is cleaned of rust and painted over with special compounds or bitumen.

Concreting. As a formwork for concrete, roofing material is used, which is placed along the walls of the pit. It is advisable to compact the bottom of the hole and fill it with sand and gravel. After preparing the hole, concrete is poured into it, and a post is inserted.

The verticality of the installation is checked using a plumb line and a level. Further work with supports is possible only after a week, after the mortar has gained sufficient strength.

Installation of supports for guides. Pieces of a corner with holes for fastening the guides are welded to the installed pillars. The places of fastening of the segments with the pipe and the bases themselves should be treated with anti-corrosion compounds and painted.

Installation of guides. Guides are bolted to the prepared bases. After installation, wooden rails must be painted to strengthen the wood and protect it from rotting.

Slate installation. Fastening the slate to the guides is best done by two people so that the partner can hold the sheet in the required position. The slate is fastened with self-tapping screws to wooden rails using a screwdriver. To prevent chips and penetration of the base, a rubber washer should be placed under the head of the self-tapping screw.

The use of roofing nails for fastening slate is not recommended, as it requires a certain amount of skill to work with them.

When marking the fence, small gaps should be left between the sheets and at the junction of the sheets to the ground. These gaps will help reduce the windage of the entire structure, which will allow the fence to withstand hurricane winds.

Final works. At the last stage, a gate and a gate are installed. Gate leaves and gates are usually welded separately from a metal profile or corner. For fastening the wings to the posts, special canopies for the gate are used.

The wicket and gate can also be closed with flat slate, but since these elements will be used frequently, it is recommended to use a lighter and more durable metal profiled sheet. After hanging the gate leaves and gates, locks are installed.

At the final stage, start finishing work. To extend the life of asbestos-cement sheets, it is recommended to treat them with coloring compounds. For this purpose, acrylic paints for concrete are best suited.

The use of paints will allow you to change the gray, nondescript color of the slate. In addition, if you have artistic skills, you can decorate the entire surface of the fence with bright and original drawings.