Flat slate brick. Flat slate for the facade - a solid frame for insulation. Homemade slate nails with rubber gasket

If a wave slate predominantly plays a role roofing material, then its flat counterpart is used in the industrial sector, in agriculture, in housing construction. Yes, in suburban construction flat slate is often used to improve the performance of a façade.

Varieties of flat slate - choose the quality

For quite a long time, slate could not be found worthy alternative, however, modern finishing materials have significantly pressed it on the market. Nevertheless, it will remain in demand for a long time due to its high quality characteristics and affordable price.

Facade flat slate has enough simple technology production. For its manufacture, only three constituent elements are required: water, asbestos fiber and Portland cement. Critical role assigned specifically to asbestos fiber - evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​​​the sheet, the mineral serves as a reinforcing base for slate. Ready mix poured into special shapes that have specific dimensions. After hardening, a durable sheet material is obtained.

To date, manufacturers produce flat slate in two varieties:

  • Flat pressed sheet. Excellent quality characteristics. He is able to bear very low temperatures, up to 50 freeze/thaw cycles. The bending strength of the sheet is 23 MPa. The impact strength is 2.5 kJ/m 2 . And the density of the sheet is 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Due to the high performance, finishing the walls of the house with this type of flat slate is possible even in regions with particularly low temperatures.
  • Flat unpressed sheet. It has a lower performance, but it is also effectively used in construction, especially indoors. The non-pressed plate is capable of withstanding 25 freeze and thaw cycles. The bending strength is 18 MPa. The impact strength of this type of slate is 2 kJ/m 2 . The density of the plate is 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter.

On the operational properties The material is greatly influenced by the quality of the asbestos used in production. This is the mineralogical composition of the fiber, its length, diameter and fineness of grinding. Also important is the level of equipment on which flat slate is made. Learn so detailed information simply impossible, so you should buy it only from manufacturers with a proven track record.

Facing the walls of the house with flat slate - find out the disadvantages

In industrial construction, flat sheets are used for the manufacture of formwork, lining of boxes and technical shafts, as well as for lining internal and external walls. In the field Agriculture such slate is used as a material for the construction of fences and fences, it is also used to create cages for birds and pens for cattle.

Often flat slate for the facade can be found on summer cottages, where it is used not only for sheathing the walls of houses, but also for the construction of various outbuildings (showers, sheds, etc.), for roofing, for balcony railings. Also, asbestos-cement slate can be used for dry screeds and building walls like "sandwich panels".

Of course, such a wide range of applications would not be possible without a number of advantages that flat slate has:

  • Affordable price allows it to be used by people with different incomes.
  • Long service life- able to serve more than 15 years without losing its qualities.
  • High strength - able to withstand the weight of a person.
  • Excellent soundproofing properties.
  • This material is fireproof.
  • It is a poor conductor of electricity.
  • He is not afraid of the processes of decay and corrosion.
  • Does not transmit ultraviolet rays.
  • Sufficiently resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Doesn't heat well in the sun.

Like any other construction material, flat slate is not without negative parameters. These are:

  • The mass of the material. Because the sheets are greater thickness, their mass is much greater than the weight alternative materials. That is why working with flat slate alone is very problematic.
  • Asbestos is not environmentally friendly pure material. By itself, the slate does not do much harm either. environment, nor human health, but the researchers urge to work with it carefully.
  • The need to apply a protective layer with special formulations during installation, as well as during operation to prevent the formation of moss on its surface.
  • Requires careful handling during transportation and installation, as it is a rather fragile material.

If we compare all the "pros" and "cons" of using this material, we can conclude that it is still quite profitable. Flat slate walls will last a long time without harming human health. At the same time, you can save a lot on the purchase of material, and it may be required enough a large number of depending on the size of the building.

Flat slate for the facade - detailed installation instructions

First of all, you need to prepare work surface. Sheet slate is attached to wooden frame which is made of boards or timber. The distance between the boards should correspond to the dimensions of the finishing material - usually the step is 0.6 m. If possible, a heat-insulating or waterproofing layer is created between the wall and the sheathing. As a heater, you can choose mineral wool.

The next step is to prepare finishing material. First, a batch of sheet slate should be inspected for defects. Next cut the slabs required sizes so that they are ready for installation. At this interval preparatory work You need to be extremely careful not to spoil the material. To do this, you can start with the sheets on which were found various defects(irregularities, chips, cracks).

If the plate has a thickness of more than 6 mm, then for sawing the slate is used Circular Saw or Bulgarian. Due to friction, the material is heated, therefore, in the process of sawing, it is necessary to periodically cool it with water. In addition, the liquid reduces the formation of harmful dust.

If the thickness of the plate does not exceed 6 mm, then the use of a saw is not necessary. Using a long ruler and a construction pencil, a notch line is outlined. Then notches are made on both sides of the sheet, after which the slate must be placed on the table so that the break line and the edge of the table exactly match. After making sure that the sheet is placed correctly, gently press on the edge of the sheet - if everything is done as it should, the slate will break cleanly along the line.

Sheathing the walls of the house with flat slate is done using screws with anti-corrosion coating for which holes are pre-drilled.

To avoid splits at the attachment points, you need to make holes 1–2 mm wider than the diameter of the self-tapping screw. Wherein wide hat will hide free space. In principle, on this installation of the skin can be considered complete. It remains only to process the surface by special means, which will protect the slate from the formation of moss, lichen or other microorganisms. To do this, you can use high-quality acrylic paint capable of withstanding temperature fluctuations.

For facing a basement made of concrete or brick, sheet materials are used, natural and fake diamond, profiled sheet, paint and varnish compositions. They can be combined into groups according to similar physical properties, installation methods.

In the segment of sheet finishing materials, flat slate, fiber-reinforced concrete panels and DSP can be distinguished. Let us consider in more detail the properties of each, as well as the methods of their installation on the basement of the house.

flat slate

This is inexpensive material, which has all the necessary properties for exterior finish. flat slate made from asbestos fiber, Portland cement and water. It is pressed and unpressed.

Both types of slate are durable with a service life of 25-30 years. Do not collapse in aggressive environments, at low temperatures. Flat slate has a low water absorption coefficient. Sheets do not burn.

Frost resistance makes it possible to sheathe facades of buildings in the regions of the Far North with flat slate. For all its strength, slate is fragile. It can be destroyed by dynamic impact, such as hitting a stone or large hail. Asbestos dust is very harmful to human lungs, so the sheets are processed in respirators. It is better to use denser pressed slate for finishing the basement.

The lining of the basement walls with flat slate is carried out on a metal or wooden frame on self-tapping screws. A hole of a smaller diameter is drilled under each self-tapping screw in the sheet.

External and internal corners they are closed with additional elements made of galvanized steel. People are wondering how to paint the flat slate on the facade of the house after the installation is completed. Used for coloring acrylic primer, acrylic or silicone paint on the water based. The primer is applied in one layer, the paint in two or three.

Fiber concrete panels

A material in demand on the market for finishing not only the plinth, but also the entire surface of the facade. Fiber concrete panels are made from cement and sand.

Fiberglass is used as a filler. It rigidly binds all components into a single strong structure. For improvement operational qualities additives are used.

Fiber-reinforced concrete panels are an expensive material for a ventilated plinth. Fiberglass gives them additional resistance to natural oxidizing agents. The panels do not spread, do not absorb moisture, do not crack, do not break. Due to the low weight of the element, they are easy to mount on the plinth.

They are produced in a wide range of colors and textures. The only disadvantage of fiber-reinforced concrete panels for the plinth is the high cost. Step installation profiles 400-600 mm. Brackets can be of variable length to level the irregularities of the basement. Most often, fiber-reinforced concrete panels are used for the construction of a ventilated base.

Between the panels and the wall is laid a layer of basalt mineral wool and vapor barrier. Panels can be fixed to the guides in two ways: on self-tapping screws and clamps. Thin plates up to 14 mm can be mounted on self-tapping screws with rubber gaskets. Thicker ones are mounted using kleimer locks.

You can only cut panels with a grinder with a diamond wheel. Other tools crumble edges, increasing material consumption.

Cement particle board (DSP)

Finishing of the CSP basement is carried out both separately and as part of the cladding of the entire facade.

Cement particle boards are a universal finishing material in the form of sheets with a thickness of 8-36 mm. They are made by pressing wood chips and cement. Large fraction chips are at the base of the sheet, and finer ones in the upper layer.

TsSP moisture-resistant and frost-resistant finishing material with high strength. It doesn't burn or rot.

It is easy to handle. Cement particle board is combined with other building and finishing materials. It is easy to mount on a wooden or metal frame.

Among the shortcomings, one can note the large weight of the elements and the average service life of up to 15 years.

Sheets with a thickness of 16-20 mm are used for sheathing the basement. The technology of installation on the frame does not differ from the method of fastening similar materials. Each sheet is fixed at least 4 points.

Self-tapping screws are used as fasteners, under which holes of a smaller diameter are pre-drilled. Joints between sheets must not be sealed with putty or plaster. For the treatment of seams, it is better to use a silicone weather-resistant sealant. It will not break during temperature deformations of the DSP. For finishing plinth, acrylic, silicone or combined water-based paints are used. Finishing the plinth with the above sheet materials will provide high-quality protection of the basement of the house from destruction.

The base will turn out beautiful and neat. The main thing is to follow the rules and regulations for working with sheet materials. Flat slate is a direct relative of the well-known and common wave slate. But due to its even structure, it has much more options applications.

What is it, flat slate?

Slate is an asbestos-cement material intended primarily for roofing.

And in the past he did an excellent job of this task, but on modern market building materials, he begins to lose ground. Nevertheless, despite the wide range of roofing materials, it remains in demand due to its affordable price. And manufacturers of flat slate are rescued by practicality this material, with which both the facade can be sheathed and the roof can be covered.

The composition of flat slate does not differ in a complex recipe: Portland cement, asbestos fiber and water.

Asbestos in this mixture should be evenly distributed throughout the mass. It is asbestos that creates a reinforcing base in this simple composition, thanks to which the sheet becomes durable. The mixture hardens in special forms of a certain size, and as a result, sheets of flat slate are obtained.

Sheets of flat slate can be produced in two varieties:

asbestos-cement pressed (LP-P). This species can withstand very low temperatures (about 50 freeze and thaw cycles). impact strength this sheet is 2.5 kJ/m2, and the bending strength of the plate is 23 MPa.

The residual strength of the pressed slate is 40%, with a material density of 1.8 g / cm3. Unpressed asbestos-cement (LP-NP). The unpressed material does not have such high performance, but also finds its place in construction and is widely used indoors. This slate will withstand exactly half (25) freeze and thaw cycles.

The impact strength is 2 kJ/m2, and the bending strength is 18 MPa. The density of the unpressed material is 1.6 g/cm3. The residual density has the same indicator of 40%.

The listed characteristics are indicated by manufacturers on the labels, and this information can be easily obtained from the seller. But the performance properties of the material are also affected by the quality of the asbestos used in the manufacture: the length and diameter of its fibers, the mineralogical composition, the fineness of grinding, and even the level of equipment on which it is made. It is almost impossible to find out this information, so it is better to purchase flat slate from well-known manufacturers.

Sheets can only be purchased rectangular shape, but in several dimensional variations:

    sheet length - 300 cm, width - 150 cm, thickness - 0.8-1 cm; length - 250 cm, width - 120 cm, thickness - 0.6-1 cm; length - 360 cm, width - 150 cm, thickness - 0.8–1 cm.

Finishing the facade with flat slate: arguments for and against

The scope of flat slate is very wide and varied.

This material can be found in various areas of construction. In industrial construction, for example, flat sheets are found in the fencing of technical shafts and ducts, in the lining of external and internal walls, in the manufacture of formwork. Bird cages, fences and fences for livestock and agricultural land are often built from this material.

Often flat slabs can be seen on suburban areas where they are widely used for the construction of outbuildings, showers, fences, roofs, etc.

e. Flat sheets are used as façade cladding, dry screeds, and sandwich panel walls. The same material can be seen in the city when arranging loggias and balconies.

Such a wide range of uses is possible due to a number of advantages that this material has:

    combination of material availability, low price and high quality; durability - its service life is more than 15 years; has high strength to impacts, bends and freezing; has the property of sound insulation; does not support the combustion process; is not subject to mold and fungi; is not a conductor of electric current; does not rot and does not give in to corrosion.

Of course, along with the advantages, all the existing disadvantages should be taken into account before sheathing the house with flat slate. Negative characteristics are represented by the following positions:

    when installing the slate, you will need an assistant, since the weight of the sheet will not allow you to carry out the work yourself; the sheets are strong, but at the same time very fragile, so you need to transport and work with them very carefully; after laying, it requires mandatory coating with special compounds to protect the surface and prevent the appearance of moss; asbestos is environmentally friendly safe material and harmful in large quantities.

After analyzing all the advantages and disadvantages, we can conclude that finishing the facade with flat slate would be a good idea. This material is able to soundproof the house, protect the walls from the effects external environment for more than 15 years and at the same time it will cost quite cheaply. The only thing is that you will have to find a neat assistant in order to translate everything conceived into reality.

How to sheathe a house with flat slate: a scheme of actions

Slate - the material is quite fragile, which obliges you to work with it carefully and competently. Before proceeding with the installation, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of working with this material. Just a few rules, the observance of which can facilitate the workflow and prevent negative consequences:

    need to prepare a respirator or protective mask, which can protect the respiratory tract from asbestos dust that appeared when cutting slate; you can not cut very thin strips - minimum width 6 mm, otherwise the edge will begin to deform and collapse; all sections of the slate must be treated with acrylic paint; in order to drive a nail into the slate slab, you must first drill a hole for it; visual inspection each sheet for deformations and cracks.

The step-by-step scheme for sheathing a house with flat slate is as follows:

The slate will be attached to the frame, so the first step is to ensure the presence of a wooden crate.

The crate can be made of boards or timber, which will be laid at a distance in accordance with the dimensions of the slate sheet (approximately 0.6 m). If desired, you can add a layer of waterproofing or thermal insulation between the frame. For this, cellulose insulation ecowool or mineral wool is suitable.

Facing material before work must be inspected and deformed sheets removed. Next, you need to measure and cut the slate so that it is ready for installation. Cutting is the most crucial and difficult moment.

    if the sheet has a thickness of no more than 6 mm, then the cutting process looks like this: using a ruler and a pencil, a notch line is marked, then notches are made on both sides. Next, you need to place the sheet on the table so that the edge of the table and the break line coincide, and carefully break it; if the sheet is more than 6 mm thick, then you need to use a saw. The material during the cutting process will need to be periodically cooled with water.

Slate sheets that have any flaws (cracks, punctures, bumps) must be cut first if there is a need for smaller slabs.

The slate is attached to the crate with screws, for which a hole is pre-drilled. The heads of these screws will be closed with fastening layouts. The hole diameter for the screws should be 1-2 mm wider than the nails and screws used to avoid cracks and splits at the fastening points.

On the final stage it is necessary to treat the slate with special means that will protect it from the appearance of mosses and lichens. For these purposes, acrylic paint is well suited. It is better to paint with a spray gun or spray gun.

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    When choosing building materials for finishing the basement, most developers prefer those that differ not only in their durability, neat appearance and resistance to weather changes, but also affordable price as well as ease of installation.

    To date, consumers often "vote with a ruble" for flat slate, as this relatively inexpensive material shows high performance characteristics, easy to install, and the possibility of its coloring in various colors adds beauty and personality to the building.

    Features of flat slate

    Flat sheets of slate are produced by mixing asbestos fiber and Portland cement with the addition of water.

    In this case, asbestos is placed throughout the mixture in equal proportions and thus forms a reinforcing base to give strength to the slate.

    Currently, the construction market for finishing the foundation house offers 2 types of rectangular flat slate sheets industrial production- pressed and unpressed standard sizes: 2500x1200 mm (with a sheet thickness of 6-10 mm); 3000x1500 mm (with a thickness of 8-10 mm); 3600x1500 mm (with a thickness of 8-10 mm).

    The unpressed sheet varies lowest characteristic strength, 2 times less freeze-thaw cycle and, accordingly, lower cost. For other indicators, it is almost the same as the pressed sheet. As a building material to protect the foundation of a house, flat slate is attractive because:

      profitable financially; has a long service life, is not subject to rotting and corrosion; durable to bending; does not depend on temperature changes, resists gusts of wind, snowstorms, does not overheat in the sun, withstands 25-50 freeze-thaw cycles; provides sound insulation; due to the presence of asbestos in its composition, it is fireproof, it is not a conductor of electric current; it is resistant to aggressive environments, including chemical impurities, the action of acids. Reflects ultraviolet, radioactive and electromagnetic radiation; easy to install regardless of the season.

    At the same time, despite all the advantages of flat slate, when using it to finish the foundation with your own hands, the following nuances should be taken into account:

      due to the increased brittleness of the material, care is required during transportation and installation; it has a large weight, which does not allow lining the base with slate without assistants; requires treatment with antiseptic agents that prevent the growth of moss; protective individual means; not durable with point loads.

    Nevertheless, due to the ease of laying flat slate with your own hands, which does not require professional skills, you save money on attracting hired finishing specialists. And the speed of installation due to its simple technology will save time.

Flat slate is a direct relative of the well-known and widespread wave slate. But due to its even structure, it has many more applications.

What is it, flat slate?

Slate is an asbestos-cement material intended primarily for roofing. And in the past, he did an excellent job with this task, but in the modern building materials market, he is starting to lose ground. Nevertheless, despite the wide range of roofing materials, it remains in demand due to its affordable price. And the manufacturers of flat slate are helped by the practicality of this material, with which the facade can be sheathed and the roof can be covered.

The composition of flat slate does not differ in a complex recipe: Portland cement, asbestos fiber and water. Asbestos in this mixture should be evenly distributed throughout the mass. It is asbestos that creates a reinforcing base in this simple composition, thanks to which the sheet becomes durable. The mixture hardens in special forms of a certain size, and as a result, sheets of flat slate are obtained.

Sheets of flat slate can be produced in two varieties:

  • asbestos-cement pressed (LP-P). This species can withstand very low temperatures (about 50 freeze and thaw cycles). The impact strength of this sheet is 2.5 kJ / m 2, and the bending strength of the plate is 23 MPa. The residual strength of the pressed slate is 40%, with a material density of 1.8 g/cm 3 .
  • asbestos-cement unpressed (LP-NP). The unpressed material does not have such high performance, but also finds its place in construction and is widely used indoors. This slate will withstand exactly half (25) freeze and thaw cycles. The impact strength is 2 kJ / m 2, and the bending strength is 18 MPa. The density of the unpressed material is 1.6 g/cm 3 . The residual density has the same indicator of 40%.

The listed characteristics are indicated by manufacturers on the labels, and this information can be easily obtained from the seller. But the performance properties of the material are also affected by the quality of the asbestos used in the manufacture: the length and diameter of its fibers, the mineralogical composition, the fineness of grinding, and even the level of equipment on which it is made. It is almost impossible to find out this information, so it is better to purchase flat slate from well-known manufacturers.

You can buy sheets only in a rectangular shape, but in several dimensional variations:

  1. sheet length - 300 cm, width - 150 cm, thickness - 0.8–1 cm;
  2. length - 250 cm, width - 120 cm, thickness - 0.6–1 cm;
  3. length - 360 cm, width - 150 cm, thickness - 0.8–1 cm.

Finishing the facade with flat slate: arguments for and against

The scope of flat slate is very wide and varied. This material can be found in various areas of construction. In industrial construction, for example, flat sheets are found in the fencing of technical shafts and boxes, in the lining of external and internal walls, in the manufacture of formwork. Bird cages, fences and fences for livestock and agricultural land are often built from this material.

Often flat slabs can be seen in summer cottages, where they are widely used for the construction of outbuildings, showers, fences, roofs, etc. Flat sheets are used as façade cladding, dry screeds and sandwich panel walls. The same material can be seen in the city when arranging loggias and balconies.

Such a wide range of uses is possible due to a number of advantages that this material has:

  • combination of material availability, low price and high quality;
  • durability - its service life is more than 15 years;
  • has high resistance to impact, bending and freezing;
  • has the property of sound insulation;
  • does not support the combustion process;
  • not susceptible to mold and fungi;
  • is not a conductor of electric current;
  • does not rot and does not give in to corrosion.

Of course, along with the advantages, all the existing disadvantages should be taken into account before sheathing the house with flat slate. Negative characteristics are represented by the following positions:

  • when installing the slate, you will need an assistant, since the weight of the sheet will not allow you to carry out the work yourself;
  • the sheets are strong, but at the same time very fragile, so you need to transport and work with them very carefully;
  • after laying, it requires mandatory coating with special compounds to protect the surface and prevent the appearance of moss;
  • asbestos is an environmentally unsafe material and is harmful in large quantities.

After analyzing all the advantages and disadvantages, we can conclude that finishing the facade with flat slate would be a good idea. This material is able to soundproof the house, protect the walls from the effects of the external environment for more than 15 years and at the same time it will be quite cheap. The only thing is that you will have to find a neat assistant in order to translate everything conceived into reality.

How to sheathe a house with flat slate: a scheme of actions

Slate - the material is quite fragile, which obliges you to work with it carefully and competently. Before proceeding with the installation, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of working with this material. Just a few rules, the observance of which can facilitate the workflow and prevent negative consequences:

  • you need to prepare a respirator or a protective mask that can protect the respiratory tract from asbestos dust that appeared when cutting slate;
  • it is impossible to cut very thin strips - the minimum width is 6 mm, otherwise the edge will begin to deform and collapse;
  • all sections of slate must be treated with acrylic paint;
  • in order to drive a nail into the slate slab, you must first drill a hole for it;
  • it is necessary to conduct a visual inspection of each sheet for deformations and cracks.

The step-by-step scheme for sheathing a house with flat slate is as follows:

How to sheathe a house with flat slate - step by step diagram

Step 1: Preparing the Work Surface

The slate will be attached to the frame, so the first step is to ensure the presence of a wooden crate. The crate can be made of boards or timber, which will be laid at a distance in accordance with the dimensions of the slate sheet (approximately 0.6 m). If desired, you can add a layer of waterproofing or thermal insulation between the frame. Mineral wool is suitable for this.

When choosing building materials for finishing the basement, most developers prefer those that are distinguished not only by their durability, neat appearance and resistance to weather changes, but also by their affordable price, as well as ease of installation.

Today, consumers often “vote with a ruble” for flat slate, as this relatively inexpensive material demonstrates high performance, is easy to install, and the ability to paint it in various colors adds beauty and personality to the building.

Features of flat slate

Flat sheets of slate are produced by mixing asbestos fiber and Portland cement with the addition of water.

In this case, asbestos is placed throughout the mixture in equal proportions and thus forms a reinforcing base to give strength to the slate.

Currently, the construction market for the home offers 2 types of rectangular sheets of flat slate of industrial production - pressed and unpressed standard sizes: 2500x1200 mm (with a sheet thickness of 6-10 mm); 3000x1500 mm (with a thickness of 8-10 mm); 3600x1500 mm (with a thickness of 8-10 mm).

The non-pressed sheet differs in the lower strength characteristic, the freeze-thaw cycle is 2 times shorter and, accordingly, the lower cost. For other indicators, it is almost the same as the pressed sheet. As a building material to protect the foundation of a house, flat slate is attractive because:

  • profitable financially;
  • has a long service life, is not subject to rotting and corrosion;
  • durable to bends;
  • not dependent on temperature changes, resists gusts of wind, snowstorms, does not overheat in the sun, withstands 25-50 freeze-thaw cycles;
  • provides sound insulation;
  • due to the presence of asbestos in its composition, it is fireproof, it is not a conductor of electric current;
  • resistant to aggressive environments, including chemical impurities, the action of acids. Reflects ultraviolet, radioactive and electromagnetic radiation;
  • easy to install regardless of the time of year.

At the same time, despite all the advantages of flat slate, the following nuances should be taken into account when using it for:

  • due to the increased fragility of the material, care is required during transportation and installation;
  • has a lot of weight, which does not allow lining the base with slate without helpers;
  • requires treatment with antiseptic agents that prevent the growth of moss;
  • not environmentally friendly when sawing due to asbestos dust arising during operation, requires the use of protective personal equipment;

Nevertheless, due to the ease of laying flat slate with your own hands, which does not require professional skills, you save money on attracting hired finishing specialists. And the speed of installation due to its simple technology will save time.

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The technology of finishing the plinth with flat slate sheets

To line the base with slate, you will need to attach the sheets to the crate from wooden beams like fixing drywall. If necessary, a layer of mineral wool can be laid between the frame posts as thermal insulation.

To connect the sheets to the frame, nails or self-tapping screws and fastening layouts (clamps) are used. It is impossible to drive nails directly into the sheet due to its fragility to point loads. Therefore, so that the sheet does not crack and split into pieces, holes are pre-drilled in it, a slightly larger diameter (1-1.5 mm) than that of the fasteners used.

The required amount of building materials (slate, wooden beams, a layer of thermal insulation and acrylic paint) is calculated by measuring the height of the basement, the width of the foundation protrusion (if any) and the perimeter of the building using a tape measure.

Of the working tools will come in handy:

  • gloves and respirator;
  • ruler, building level;
  • chisel;
  • cutter;
  • screwdriver;
  • circular saw;
  • electric jigsaw;
  • spray gun;
  • self-tapping screws, nails;
  • clamps for slate.

Before starting work on sheathing the basement, you should carefully inspect the slate for cracks, chips and deformations, so that when cutting the sheets, it is precisely such places that are scrapped. Cutting the slate is as easy as shelling pears: if the sheet has a thickness of up to 6 mm, it is placed on the table, at the place of the necessary fracture, notches are made along the edges with a ruler, a chisel and a cutter, the slate is moved to the edge of the table to the marked edge, pressed - and the desired fracture will be made.

But if the thickness of the purchased sheet is more than 10 mm, then you cannot do without an electric saw, and when cutting, the slate must be sprayed cold water for cooling. If there is a need to cut asbestos cement sheet along the length, then at least 0.6 cm is cut off to prevent its destruction. On freshly cut parts of the slate, all places of fractures or cuts must be painted over using special acrylic paints.

If wave slate mainly plays the role of a roofing material, then its flat counterpart is used in the industrial sector, in agriculture, and in housing construction. So, in suburban construction, flat slate is often used to improve the characteristics of the facade.

Varieties of flat slate - choose the quality

For quite a long time, slate could not find a worthy alternative, however, modern finishing materials have significantly pressed it on the market. Nevertheless, it will remain in demand for a long time due to its high quality characteristics and affordable price.

Facade flat slate has a fairly simple production technology. For its manufacture, only three constituent elements are required: water, asbestos fiber and Portland cement. The most important role is assigned to asbestos fiber - evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the sheet, the mineral serves as a reinforcing basis for slate. The finished mixture is poured into special molds that have specific dimensions. After hardening, a durable sheet material is obtained.

To date, manufacturers produce flat slate in two varieties:

  • Flat pressed sheet. Differs in excellent quality characteristics. It is able to withstand very low temperatures, up to 50 freeze and thaw cycles. The bending strength of the sheet is 23 MPa. The impact strength is 2.5 kJ/m 2 . And the density of the sheet is 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Due to the high performance, finishing the walls of the house with this type of flat slate is possible even in regions with particularly low temperatures.
  • Flat unpressed sheet. It has a lower performance, but it is also effectively used in construction, especially indoors. The non-pressed plate is capable of withstanding 25 freeze and thaw cycles. The bending strength is 18 MPa. The impact strength of this type of slate is 2 kJ/m 2 . The density of the plate is 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter.

The performance properties of the material are greatly influenced by the quality of the asbestos used in production. This is the mineralogical composition of the fiber, its length, diameter and fineness of grinding. Also important is the level of equipment on which flat slate is made. It is simply impossible to find out such detailed information, so you should buy it only from manufacturers with a proven track record.

Facing the walls of the house with flat slate - find out the disadvantages

In industrial construction, flat sheets are used for the manufacture of formwork, lining of boxes and technical shafts, as well as for lining internal and external walls. In the field of agriculture, such slate is used as a material for the construction of fences and barriers, it is also used to create cages for birds and pens for cattle.

Often, flat slate for the facade can be found in summer cottages, where it is used not only for sheathing the walls of houses, but also for the construction of various outbuildings (showers, sheds, etc.), for roofing, for balcony railings. Also, asbestos-cement slate can be used for the installation of dry screeds and the construction of walls like "sandwich panels".

Of course, such a wide range of applications would not be possible without a number of advantages that flat slate has:

  • Affordable price allows it to be used by people with different incomes.
  • Long service life - able to serve more than 15 years without losing its qualities.
  • High strength - able to withstand the weight of a person.
  • Excellent soundproofing properties.
  • This material is fireproof.
  • It is a poor conductor of electricity.
  • He is not afraid of the processes of decay and corrosion.
  • Does not transmit ultraviolet rays.
  • Sufficiently resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Doesn't heat well in the sun.

Like any other building material, it is not without negative parameters. These are:

  • The mass of the material. Due to the fact that the sheets have a large thickness, their weight significantly exceeds the weight of alternative materials. That is why working with flat slate alone is very problematic.
  • Asbestos is not an environmentally friendly material. By itself, slate does not cause much harm to either the environment or human health, but researchers urge to work with it carefully.
  • The need to apply a protective layer using special compounds during installation, as well as during operation to prevent the formation of moss on its surface.
  • Requires careful handling during transportation and installation, as it is a rather fragile material.

If we compare all the pros and cons of using this material, we can conclude that it is still quite profitable. Flat slate walls will last a long time without harming human health. At the same time, you can save a lot on the purchase of material, and it may require a fairly large amount, depending on the size of the building.

Flat slate for the facade - detailed installation instructions

First of all, you need to prepare the work surface. Sheet slate is attached to a wooden frame, which is made of boards or timber. The distance between the boards should correspond to the dimensions of the finishing material - usually the step is 0.6 m. If possible, a heat-insulating or waterproofing layer is created between the wall and the sheathing. As a heater, you can choose mineral wool.

The next step is to prepare the finishing material directly. First, a batch of sheet slate should be inspected for defects. Next, the slabs of the required dimensions are cut so that they are ready for installation. At this interval of preparatory work, you need to be extremely careful not to spoil the material. To do this, you can start with sheets on which various defects were found (irregularities, chips, cracks).

If the plate has a thickness of more than 6 mm, then a circular saw or grinder is used. Due to friction, the material is heated, therefore, in the process of sawing, it is necessary to periodically cool it with water. In addition, the liquid reduces the formation of harmful dust.

If the thickness of the plate does not exceed 6 mm, then the use of a saw is not necessary. Using a long ruler and a construction pencil, a notch line is outlined. Then notches are made on both sides of the sheet, after which the slate must be placed on the table so that the break line and the edge of the table exactly match. After making sure that the sheet is placed correctly, gently press on the edge of the sheet - if everything is done as it should, the slate will break cleanly along the line.

Sheathing the walls of the house with flat slate is made using screws with an anti-corrosion coating, for which holes are pre-drilled.

To avoid splits at the attachment points, you need to make holes 1–2 mm wider than the diameter of the self-tapping screw. At the same time, a wide hat will hide the free space. In principle, on this installation of the skin can be considered complete. It remains only to treat the surface with special means that will protect the slate from the formation of moss, lichen or other microorganisms. To do this, you can use high-quality acrylic paint, which is able to withstand temperature extremes.