How to make a slate fence?

Slate fences have been very popular for many years. Especially among residents of private houses, since this material is considered very popular and durable, and also not the most expensive. Each building material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and slate is no exception. In addition, when choosing this material as a fence, you need to know about it some of the nuances that you will get acquainted with in this article.

Slate is considered a very popular material that is used for the construction of fences. The material itself is simple, inexpensive and does not raise many questions during installation. A fence made entirely of slate will look very neat and will not attract too much attention.

Many domestic brands are engaged in the production of modern slate. Finding and purchasing it will not be difficult. Such material is suitable for creating high-quality fencing, even in urban areas.

If you decide to choose slate for the construction of a fence, then you should definitely know its main advantages and disadvantages:

• Slate is considered a very durable and wear-resistant material. According to the estimates of many experts, asbestos slate can last up to thirty years.
• This type of material is considered completely safe and non-flammable. Moreover, it is non-toxic.
• Slate is a rather dense material, as a result of which it is very resistant to various types of chemical, thermal and other external influences.
• Ideal for installation even in areas with harsh climates, because it is not afraid of not only severe precipitation, but also strong winds. In addition, slate is very frost-resistant. Even during periods when there are strong winds outside, the slate will not emit unpleasant sounds and interfere with household members, unlike, for example, noisy corrugated board.
• Slate is considered a fairly easy material for installation and installation, it is easy to cut and drill. Many are engaged in installing a slate fence on their own, without resorting to the help of specialists.
• In addition, the creation of a slate fence does not take much time and effort.

Slate is affordable for many people, however, it can be a little more expensive than some materials from which fences are erected in summer cottages or in private estates. Nevertheless, its positive aspects are obvious, and the entire cost will pay off after many years of quality service.

To choose a worthy building material, it is worth purchasing slate with only good characteristics and a top layer that is covered with a special protective pigment. In addition to the fact that slate looks more beautiful with an additional coating, this coating protects the material itself from temperature extremes.

The small disadvantages of slate include the following:

• Despite the fact that a slate fence is not afraid of temperature changes, it is highly not recommended for installation in regions with excessively high humidity, which can significantly reduce the quality of the material over time.
• Asbestos-cement slate canvases are considered very heavy, they should be installed as firmly as possible so that not only the wind cannot swing them, but also so that the fence does not fall under its own weight.
• Some buyers are reluctant to purchase slate for creating a fence, because they believe that it is suitable exclusively for installation in rural areas.

If you have already decided that you will build a fence from slate, then you should familiarize yourself with all its varieties.

Most people are familiar with only two types of slate coatings, which include flat and wave, however, this is not all.

Flat slate can be:

• Pressed.
• Unpressed.

Pressed slate is considered a little denser and heavier than unpressed slate.

Wave slate sheets can also please with an assortment of varieties. In addition, today more improved species appear on the market, which are especially in high demand. Asbestos-cement wave slate is considered to be stiffer and more durable than other options.

Wave slate also comes in the following varieties:

• Standard or as it is called ordinary.
• Reinforced.
• Unified.

The main differences are in wave height and size.

In order to build a fence correctly, first of all, it is very important to calculate the amount of material that you will need for construction. The calculation itself is simple, the main thing is to correctly measure the perimeter of the territory (site), with the exception of those places where the gates and wickets will be located, as well as other possible openings.

After the measurements have been made, it is recommended to draw up a drawing where it is necessary to arrange all the supports in the corners and along the lines of the future fence. More detailed calculations should be made upon purchase of the material. If you are not sure that you can independently make the correct calculations or build a fence, then it is best to use the services of professionals who will surely meet all your expectations.

Don't forget to pick up a complete set of tools that will come in handy when building your fence.

The main ones that are used in the preparation process include:

• Level.
• Shovel (most often bayonet).
• Boer.
• Plumb line.

Directly for the construction of the fence itself from slate, you need:

• Concrete mixer.
• Welding machine.
• Drill, grinder.
• Hacksaw.
• Spanners.

This list is approximate and may vary slightly, depending on the type of site and the type of slate used. As for the acquisition of fence posts, it is best to use metal options. They are considered the most reliable and stable. In addition, they will serve you for many years.

Despite the fact that on the Internet there are a lot of instructions and video tutorials on how to make a fence out of slate on your own, before starting work, you should study a lot of information on this matter:

• Before installing the fence, it is necessary to clear the area on which it will be located.
• It is very important to correctly pull the thread along the entire length of the fence so that the future slate fence is even. Do not forget about the markings, which are important to perform, for example, with pegs.
• In order for the preparatory procedures not to take you a lot of time and at the same time you do not have many questions, be guided by a previously prepared drawing, which should be done on paper.
• After you have completed the marking with pegs on the site, you need to start digging holes for the supports.
• Further, it will be necessary to weld iron transverse strips onto the supports, on which the timber should be fixed.
• The trench, which will serve as the base, between the posts can be laid out with bricks.
• Special holes must be made in the bars with a drill. This is done to accommodate fasteners.
• Slate sheets should be installed vertically on a brick base. After that, the sheets should be fixed to the fence beams.

Slate fences are not always built with a brick base. However, according to many experts, such fences are considered the most durable and wear-resistant.

• When cutting slate, try to protect the respiratory system from dust and fibers from the building material.
• With regard to finishes, many types of slate lend themselves to painting. However, you can easily find ready-made building materials of the color you need.
• It is not recommended to plant plants very close to the fence, especially when it comes to climbing varieties. An abundant mass of moisture often accumulates under the plants, as a result of which your fence can become unusable very soon.

You can learn how to build a slate fence with your own hands from the following video