On 16/08/2018 16:21, Andrew wrote:
On 15/08/2018 14:13, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Â*Â*Â* Chris wrote:
Is there no alternative to slates or tiles when it's time for a new
roof? Surely there must be a lighter and cheaper synthetic option
nowadays?

Artificial slates have been popular round here for many years. Seem to
last pretty well. Slightly easier to fit as less skill needed to cut them
where needed.


They are very popular amongst dodgy roofers who know that original
victorian slates in good nick can be resold for more than the cost
of new synthetic ones.

Plenty of unsuspecting homeowners have been caught out this way,
and I suspect some don't even know that their original slates
could have been re-used on their own house.

The Victorian houses around here were build 125+ years ago for working
men and their families. The slates used weren't of the quality you'd
expect to find on a Gentleman's London residence[1]. After 125+ years a
large proportion of most which remain are delaminating, cracked, have
enlarged nail holes etc. I saw how many slates were sold on for re-use
when our roof was replaced c10 years ago. It was a quarter at most.

[1] from the quotes we got foir "real" slates, there seems today to
still be different standards within BS EN 12326 with different lifetimes

--
Robin
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