Synthetic slate roof

[Bobby Jim]

Does anybody know of a good resource for synthetic slate (rubber tile) roofs?  Or does anybody have experience with them curling? I've got a roof that I suspect is curling due to a material defect, installation defect and/or poor ventilation. Thanks.

[Dave K.]

Bobby Jim

 

I would recommend looking at the installation and spec sheet on this type of product from a manufacture as noted below in the attached links. It appears from this source below a synthetic shake has a 50 year +/- life span.  Installation is always a great place to start.....

 

 

https://www.bravarooftile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Brava-Cedar-Shake-Installation-Manual.pdf

https://www.bravarooftile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Brava-Cedar-Shake-Spec-Sheet.pdf

Edited March 29, 2020 by Dave K.

[Jim Katen]

13 hours ago, Bobby Jim said:

Does anybody know of a good resource for synthetic slate (rubber tile) roofs?  Or does anybody have experience with them curling? I've got a roof that I suspect is curling due to a material defect, installation defect and/or poor ventilation. Thanks.

I don't see a lot of them, but every one that I've seen was failing in one way or another. (There are almost no real shake roofs here, so no reason to have fake ones.) I also know that ventilation has little effect on the surface temperature of a roof (usually less than 5 degrees) and, despite manufacturer's claims, has little bearing on the overall performance of roof coverings. And that's about all I can contribute. 

[Bill Kibbel]

Plastic slates, aka mud flaps.

Curling is very common with the older products.  The manufacturers have claimed it's not a defect and is a minor cosmetic issue.  A step was added to some installation instructions.  The installer should  bend each individual slate down at the butt end and corners before installing.  I don't think this helped for the long term.

[hausdok]

Half-joking repair recommendation = Flex Glue

[Mundo Inspector]

It's a common problem with some brands of composite slate. What Bill said. The common fix is double-sided tape.

[frank hogan]

my rubber slate roof is 17 years old. curling is now a major issue. this is due to the installers did not properly follow the manufactures guidelines.the curling has occurred in sections while other sections of the roof are still in perfect form. also the lack of proper venting is common in hip roofs. Manufacturer 50 year guaranty was voided. however with additional venting and tape hopefully I will get more years out of it. 

 

 

 

[Bill Kibbel]

I think the venting guidelines might only be the manufacturer's tool to deflect claims.

Here's a better application - plenty of venting.