SA Affordable Housing November - December 2019 // ISSUE: 79 | Page 34

TECHNICAL TALK
A solid case for
slate roofing
We caught up with slate roofing specialists Perfect Slate to discuss
what makes this hardy building method one of the highest quality,
longer lasting roofing materials on the market.
By Candace Sofianos King
S
are spoilt for choice when it comes to the colour variety
available which is dictated by price.
“Slate is available in different colours and variants such as
silver blue, multi-colour, African blue / matte black, as well
as old / west-country. The choice of colour depends on the
architectural preference,” Shongwe highlights.
SLATE INSTALLATION
Slate is generally fixed by means of two different methods:
conventional and Alumaz – both have their pros and cons.
For the conventional ‘old’ slate system, the slate is fixed
on roof pitches of 30 degrees and higher. A triple layer of
slate is used with an underlay only on the ridges and hips.
This system of roof will last longer than the Alumaz, or
Peterlo, roofing system, as there is no underlay on 90%
of the roof.
The Alumaz slate system is installed on roof pitches
between 17 and 30 degrees. The main benefit of this
late is a prestigious roofing material namely
due to the fact that its harvested from nature,
believes Bambo Shongwe, MD of Perfect Slate, a
Johannesburg-based state-of-the-art slate roofing
specialist company, which prides itself on excellence in the
supply and installation of natural slate tile roofs, concrete
tile roofs, IBR, corrugated, Chromadek, Nu-Tech slate roof
covering, waterproofing and roof repairs.
Shongwe highlights that currently there is an increase
in demand for slate roofs, namely among high-end
estates that are starting to prescribe slate roofs to their
developments. Relatively available from local quarries,
Shongwe notes that Perfect Slate sources its slate from
the mining belt of North West Province.
Although easy to acquire, the price of slate is quite a
hefty one, says Shongwe. “Slate’s one real disadvantage
is its price tag, however, in the long term it’s economically
viable,” he says, adding that builders and property owners
Slate is a prestigious roofing material.
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019
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