Slate/Select is a proprietary mixture with a cement base and non-alkaline reinforcing glass fibers. It is placed into molds molded from real slate and allowed to cure to reach full strength.
Not all fiber cement roofing is created equal. Fiber cement roofing falls into two categories-glass fiber and cellulose fiber. It is easy to see that cellulose (wood) fiber does not have the strength that glass fiber roofing does. In fact many of the cellulose fiber roofing products have been pulled from the market because they cannot withstand adverse climate conditions. Slate/Select uses only non alkaline glass fibers and can withstand the harshest of climates.
The material composition of Slate/Select is a new use of an old product. The use of glass reinforced concrete is over 50 years old. It is usually used in commercial wall applications. We took the same material and used it in a roofing application. We have been putting Slate/Select on roofs across the U.S. for over 10 years with great success. Feel free to call for a list of applications in your area.
Slate/Select is integrally colored with iron oxide pigments, the only pigments that are considered non-fading. There is no paint application so therefore no chipping to show a different color underneath.
Slate/Select is produced in our 35,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in Garland, Texas. All product is shipped from our warehouse directly to your jobsite.
The product should be installed within a reasonable amount of time to prevent the formation of any efflorescence that might occur when it is stacked for long periods of time. Keep pallets out of wet areas to avoid water entering from below.
Efflorescence is a temporary surface discoloration common to all concrete products, and is caused mostly by the reaction of cement with water. Manufactured cement contains free lime and when water is added a series of chemical reactions take place. These reactions result in crystalline deposits of water soluble salts on the surface of the tile. It appears as an overall white powder which seems to soften the color or is in concentrated patches. Though cycles of wetting and drying cause efflorescence, these cycles are also part of its removal. Wind and rain working together gradually dissolve these deposits. Primary efflorescence can be removed with a number of solvents for a quicker solution. It is important to remember efflorescence occurs naturally and in no way affects the structural integrity or performance of the tile or roof system.
Slate/Select meets or exceeds all major building code requirements. There are three governing bodies in regards to material testing standards in the U.S. They are BOCA, SBCCI, and ICBO. ICBO has the hardest standards in many categories. We have passed all the test for AC-07 (Special Roofing Systems, for cement based shingles).
Slate/Select has received Class A and Class B fire rating (ASTM E-108), which is standard for most fiber cement roofing. A Class A fire rating means that a product will not catch fire in 1000 degrees for 45 minutes, a Class B means that a product will not catch fire at 500 degrees for 30 minutes. Obviously since Slate/Select is cement it will not burn. If the product is installed with a felt paper as its base, it obtains a Class B fire rating. If the product is installed with one layer of felt and the second layer of a fiberglass capsheet it obtains a Class A fire rating.
Freeze thaw resistance is one of the most important qualities to look for especially if you live in harsh winter climates that have below freezing temperatures at night and the opposite during the day. Every product contracts during freeze cycles and expands at least slightly during warm cycles. The fact that Slate/Select has a very low absorption rating and uses glass fibers makes the effects of this minimal. With cellulose fiber cement roofing, it is easy to see how the absorption rate would be higher and the product would decay with the constant expansion and contraction of the cellulose-wood fiber. Slate/Select has passed the ICBO test for Freeze Thaw resistance. This test unlike others requires the maximum 100 cycle testing. Call for copies of full testing data.
Due to its low absorption rate, Slate/Select is virtually impervious to rot, insect infestation or algae growth.
Slate/Select is monitored by Omega Point Laboratories, Inc.
3:12 is the minimum pitch. Anything lower would be a decorative application only.
Slate/ Select that is not double butt installation does not require extra framing support. A quote from the National Slate Association states” For regular slate with a weight of 700-750 lbs. per square; any roofing construction that conforms to good engineering practice and is suitable for other roofing material is adequate. The weight of the roof covering is an insignificant quantity when compared with the combined rafters, sheathing, snow and wind pressure, which must be considered for all roofs and water saturation of certain roofing. The allowances for combined snow and wind load on roofs is usually established by local building codes and will be found to vary in different areas. The anticipated load is several times the combined weights of the materials which make up the roof construction and covering. It is essential to conform to allowances for dead/live loads with your local building code and to then engineer your roof construction according to specifications.”
Slate/Select is walkable so if for some reason, a tile needs to be replaced, it can be done easily without breaking other tiles and creating additional problems.
Slate/Select is competitive with any roofing product on the market. The real savings in comparison with real slate is in the installation process. Since it can be installed with a specially padded pneumatic hammer, it should be comparable to the installation of a wood shingle roof.