Slate fence. How to make a fence from old slate - the trick of attaching a sheet How to decorate a fence from slate

Slate fences have been very popular for many years. Especially among residents of private houses, since this material is considered to be very popular and wear-resistant, and also not the most expensive. Each building material has its 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 learn in this article.

Peculiarities

Slate is considered a very popular material that is used to build 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 undue attention.

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

A slate fence is ideal for delimiting adjacent areas. You can easily install it yourself.

Advantages and disadvantages

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 many experts, asbestos slate can last up to thirty years.
• This type of material is considered completely safe and non-combustible. In addition, 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 a harsh climate, because it is not afraid of not only severe precipitation, but also strong wind. In addition, slate is very frost-resistant. Even during periods when there are strong winds outside, slate will not make unpleasant sounds and interfere with household members, unlike, for example, noisy corrugated board.
• Slate is considered a fairly light material for installation and installation, it is easy to cut and drill. Many are engaged in the installation of 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 of the 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 for many years of quality service.

To choose a decent building material, you should buy slate only with good performance and the top layer, which is coated 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 changes.

The minor disadvantages of slate include the following:

• Despite the fact that the 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 sheets are considered very heavy, they should be installed as firmly as possible so that not only the wind cannot shake them, but also so that the fence does not fall under its own weight.
• Some buyers refuse to purchase slate to create a fence, because they believe that it is suitable only for installation in countryside.

Varieties

If you have already decided that you will build a slate fence, 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, that's not all.

Flat slate can be:

• Pressed.
• Unpressed.

Pressed slate is considered slightly denser and heavier than unpressed slate.

By all characteristics, it is most suitable for the construction of a durable fence that will last for many years and will not collapse from regular temperature changes.

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

Wave slate also comes in the following varieties:

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

The main differences are in the height and size of the waves.

DIY fence

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 (plot), with the exception of those places where the gate and gate, as well as other possible openings, will be located.

After the measurements have been taken, 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 make the right calculations or build a fence on your own, then it is best to use the services of professionals who will certainly meet all your expectations.

Tools

Be sure to pick up a complete set of tools that will come in handy when building a fence.

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

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

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

• Mixer for concrete.
• Welding machine.
• Drill, Bulgarian.
• Hacksaw.
• Spanners.

This list is indicative and may vary slightly, depending on the type of site and the type of slate used. As for the purchase 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.

Operating procedure

Despite the fact that on the Internet there are a lot of instructions and video tutorials on how to make a slate fence yourself, before you start work, you should study a lot of information on this subject:

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

Slate fences do not belong to traditional options fencing, but, under certain circumstances, they can help to quickly and inexpensively solve the problem.

• Long service life of the material. Asbestos-cement sheets, even without additional processing, can serve for several decades. They do not change their original properties under the influence of low and high temperatures, are not subject to decay and oxidation;
• The cost of the new material is affordable, although most often for permanent and temporary fences use sheets that were in use, but retained their shape;
• Assembling a fence from flat slate with your own hands, as well as from wavy material, will not be difficult even for a novice builder;
• Asbestos cement sheets allow the maximum use of the imagination of the master. If desired, the sheets can be cut and create original design elements. Paint can be applied to flat surfaces, creating whole paintings.

Slate fences have and negative qualities:

• Fragility. Asbestos-cement sheets are quite easy to damage when struck with a hard object or when bent. The sheets burst, crack, and as a result, for repair, the whole element has to be replaced;
• The slate does not burn, but bursts at high temperatures, firing individual pieces.

What slate to use

You can make a slate fence with your own hands from wavy or flat sheets. Wave material is more often used as a roof covering, while flat slate has many more applications.

flat slate

This material is abbreviated LP-P and LP-NP, which means pressed flat sheet And non-pressed flat sheet.

The difference between pressed and unpressed material is determined by the different value of bending strength.

Pressed sheets have greater strength due to a denser structure, which increases the service life of the material, its frost resistance and resistance to shock loads. The positive aspects of non-pressed products include their small, compared with pressed sheets, weight, as well as lower cost.

The industry produces flat slate in three main sizes:

• 1x1.5 m;
• 2x1.5 m;
• 3x1.5 m.

Wavy slate

The following abbreviations are used to designate corrugated sheets VO, VU and UV, which means wave ordinary, wave enhanced And unified wave. Sheets differ not only in strength characteristics, but also in size: VO - 1120x680 mm, VU - 2800x1000 mm, UV - 1750x1125 mm.

Ordinary corrugated products are used for organizing roofing at small private housing construction facilities (sheds, summer cottages, bathhouses), reinforced sheets can be used to cover roofs at industrial facilities, and universal slate is suitable for any buildings and structures.

For the fencing device, the most suitable option would be to use a reinforced corrugated sheet.

It has the highest strength among the considered asbestos-cement wave materials, which means it will last longer as a material for the fence. In addition, reinforced sheets are light in weight (27 kg), which is important when making a do-it-yourself wave slate fence.

Specially buying slate in order to build a fence does not make much sense. If you have to spend on fencing, especially if you have to make a fence on the facade of the site, it is better to purchase stronger and more durable sheets of metal profiled sheet, but if you have to make a fence between neighboring areas, then it is best to make a fence from old slate with your own hands.

Which base to choose

Two options can be used as a foundation for a slate fence: a strip base and individual concreting for each pillar.

Tape base

This type of foundation involves sampling the soil around the entire perimeter of the future fence. The width of the tape should be at least twice the diameter of the post, and the depth depends on the depth of soil freezing in the area, but cannot be less than 0.8 m.

A wooden formwork is being prepared for pouring. The pillars are installed at the time of pouring, tracking the verticality with a plumb line.

This type of foundation is quite expensive and its organization for the construction of a slate fence is not reasonable. The use of slate implies savings, and strip foundations are best used for the construction of capital brick or concrete fences.

Individual concreting of pillars

It is much more efficient and cheaper to perform concreting of each support. Individual concreting is carried out as follows:

1. Holes are dug at the marked points using a drill or manually. The diameter of the hole should be twice the diameter of the column. The depth of the hole must be at least 800 mm.
2. Sand is poured at the bottom of the hole and compacted, fine gravel is poured on top and also compacted.
3. Roofing material is used for waterproofing equipment. It is laid along the length of the hole in such a way that it fits snugly against the walls, in this case the roofing material also plays the role of a formwork for concrete.
4. Concrete for pouring the support is made from M400 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3.
5. The solution prepared in a concrete mixer is poured into a hole, after which a pole is inserted.
6. To install the post strictly vertically, you need to check it with a plumb line and a vertical level.
7. The full set of concrete strength occurs within 28 days, but to continue the installation of the fence, it is enough to withstand 7 days. The gained strength will be enough for the installation of guides and slate.

Necessary materials and tools

To make a slate fence, you will need to prepare the following materials:

• flat slate. The height of the fence will correspond to the height of the slate - 1.5 m, the length of the slate should be chosen based on the convenience of work and the marking of the supporting pillars;
• support. For corner posts and gate supports, it is best to use more powerful metal pipes with a cross section of 100 mm; for intermediate supports and gates, metal posts with a cross section of 80 mm will suffice;
• as transverse guides for asbestos-cement sheets, a 50 mm thick edged board is used;
• for mounting jumpers on a pole, you will need to organize a jumper in the form of a metal corner, 250 mm in size. At least two jumpers are required for each post, for attaching the guides from above and below;
• as a fastening material for the slate, self-tapping screws are required, for fastening the guide bolts with nuts.

To install the structure, you will need to purchase the following tools:

• level;
• plumb;
• drill for preparing holes for poles;
• shovel;
• a container for preparing concrete or a concrete mixer;
• drill;
• screwdriver;
• welding machine;
• hacksaw;
• wrenches;
• cutting wheels for concrete and grinder;
• goggles, gloves and a respirator.

Asbestos dust is very harmful to health, so when working with slate cutting wheels, you need to use a respirator and goggles.

Calculation of the required amount of materials with examples

In order to correctly calculate the required amount of materials for a slate fence, you should accurately measure the length of the future fence. Before starting work, you need to find reference points that mark the boundary of the site, this must be done by the owner himself. In order to avoid claims and disputes with neighbors, you may have to call surveying specialists and update the site layout plan.

We assume that the boundary boundaries of the site coincide with the existing ones, and using the example of a 20x25 meter site, we will make a step-by-step calculation of the necessary materials:

1. The perimeter of the site is 90 m. For the equipment of the gate, 4 meters will be required, and 1 meter for the gate, respectively, the blind fence remains: 90-4-1 = 85 meters. If flat slate with dimensions of 1.5x3 m is used for installation, to cover 85 meters you will need: 85/3 = 28.33 sheets, rounded up and it turns out - 29 sheets.
2. Considering the height of the fence is 1.5 m and the need to deepen the support column into the ground at a distance of at least 1.5 meters, we find the height of the column - 3 meters. For corner supports and gates, you will need 6 pillars with a cross section of 100 mm.
3. To calculate the number of intermediate supports, divide one side of the fence by the distance between the posts (it is recommended to install the posts every 2.5 meters). 20/2.5=8 posts in width and 25/2.5= 10 posts in length. From the length of the front side, you need to subtract the width of the gate and gate: 20-4-1=15, and also divide by 2.5. The total will be: 20 pillars in length (two sides), 8 pillars in width on one side, and 6 pillars on the front side. In total, 34 intermediate supports with a cross section of 80 mm and a length of 3 m are required.
4. Boards with a thickness of 50 mm and a width of 130 mm were chosen as transverse guides. With two rows of guides at the top and bottom, 180 meters of boards will be required.
5. A metal corner 50x50 mm 250 mm long will be used as a support for the guides. The total number of pillars is: 6 + 34 = 40, respectively, 80 segments of the corner will be required, with a total length of 20 meters. When buying a corner, you should take into account the length of the standard product (6, 9 and 12 m).
6. To attach the rails to the support, you will need 80 mm bolts with nuts. For 80 supports with two attachment points, 160 bolts will be required.
7. To fix the slate, self-tapping screws 50 mm long will be used. For each sheet, 12 self-tapping screws are required (fastening pitch 500 mm), respectively, for the entire fence you will need: 29x12 \u003d 348 self-tapping screws.
8. The concreting of one support will require 5 kg of cement and 15 kg of sand. All you need is: cement - 40x5 = 200 kg (4 bags), sand - 40x15 = 600 kg.

The height of the support pillars depends on the depth of soil freezing in the construction area, so the height of the pillars will differ depending on the climatic zone.

Instructions for building a slate fence

The construction of the fence consists of several stages. The following instructions will help beginners in construction independently complete all the work in stages and without errors.

Planning. Before starting work, you should prepare a plan. On the plot diagram, the points where the corner posts will be located should be noted, the distance between them is measured, and the installation sites of the intermediate supports are marked.

Markup. All support placement points are transferred from the plan directly to the site. The corner points are found first and pegs are placed on them. Further, a cord is pulled around the entire perimeter, which will allow you to accurately mark the installation sites for intermediate supports, and a peg is also driven in to indicate the place of support.

Excavation. At the next stage, holes are prepared for the support pillars. The depth of immersion of the support into the ground depends on the depth of freezing in the area, but making holes less than 0.8 m deep is not recommended.

Pillar preparation. Before installing the pillars, it is necessary to prepare them for being in an aggressive environment, for which the metal surface is cleaned of rust and painted over special formulations or bitumen.

Concreting. As a formwork for concrete, roofing material is used, which is placed along the walls of the pit. It is advisable to compact the bottom of the hole and fill it with sand and gravel. After preparing the hole, concrete is poured into it, and a post is inserted.

The verticality of the installation is checked using a plumb line and a level. Further work with supports is possible only after a week, after the mortar has gained sufficient strength.

Installation of supports for guides. Pieces of a corner with holes for fastening the guides are welded to the installed pillars. The points of attachment of the segments with the pipe and the bases themselves should be treated with anti-corrosion compounds and painted.

Installation of guides. Guides are bolted to the prepared bases. After installation, wooden rails must be painted to strengthen the wood and protect it from rotting.

Slate installation. Fastening the slate to the guides is best done by two people so that the partner can hold the sheet in the required position. The slate is fastened with self-tapping screws to wooden rails using a screwdriver. To prevent chips and penetration of the base, a rubber washer should be placed under the head of the self-tapping screw.

The use of roofing nails for fastening slate is not recommended, as it requires a certain amount of skill to work with them.

When marking the fence, small gaps should be left between the sheets and at the junction of the sheets to the ground. These gaps will help reduce the windage of the entire structure, which will allow the fence to withstand hurricane winds.

Final works. On last stage install gates and gates. Gate leaves and wickets are usually welded separately from metal profile or corner. For fastening the wings to the posts, special canopies for the gate are used.

The gate and gate can also be closed with flat slate, but since these elements will be used frequently, it is recommended to use a lighter and more durable metal profiled sheet. After hanging the gate leaves and gates, locks are installed.

On final stage proceed to finishing work . To extend the service life of asbestos-cement sheets, it is recommended to treat them with coloring compounds. For this purpose, acrylic paints for concrete are best suited.

The use of paints will allow you to change the gray, nondescript color of the slate. In addition, if you have artistic skills, you can decorate the entire surface of the fence with bright and original drawings.

Related videos

Perhaps one of the most affordable materials for installing a fence can be called slate. By this name, by the way, they often mean not only classic asbestos-cement slate, but also profile corrugated material made of metal, rubber, plastic, bitumen and cellulose. Not all types are suitable for fencing a site or some part of it, but only those that have a rigid structure.

Do-it-yourself slate fence can be installed from a wave or flat material made of asbestos cement or metal. Sometimes, but very rarely, a bitumen-cellulose variant, known as ondulin or euroslate.

Types of slate suitable for installing a fence

To make a choice, you need to know all the advantages and disadvantages of each type of material, the possible difficulties of the process of its installation.

Asbestos concrete slate

Asbestos concrete slate is most often used to install fencing sites and places for keeping pets. It is produced in the form of flat and wavy sheets. The composition of the material for their manufacture is approximately the same, but the sheets themselves can have different thicknesses and sizes.

The mixture for the manufacture of this material includes three components in different percentages - these are asbestos (10%), cement (85%) and water. 5% can be allocated to various modifying additives. After kneading, the composition is pressed into sheets of the desired size and shape, and then it is sent for drying in a certain mode.

wave slate

"Classic" wavy slate

Asbestos-cement wave (in some sources - wavy) slate is used for the following works:

• Wave slate, which has a regular profile, is used to cover roofs.
• Wave slate with a reinforced profile is used to cover the roofs of industrial buildings, as it differs from ordinary sheets in a longer length.
• Wave slate, which has a unified profile, is used both for covering residential buildings and for industrial buildings. It has a medium size, that is, more how ordinary, but less how at the reinforced

The table shows standard sizes wave slate:

Dimensional parameters	Value in mm (depending on profile type)		Limit deviations
	40/150	54/200
Length (L)	1750	1750	±15
Width (B):
6 wave sheet	-	1125	±15
7 wave sheet	980	-	+10; -5
8 wave sheet	1130	-
Thickness (t)	5.8	6,0; 7,5	+1,0; -0,3
Wave Height:
Private (h)	40	54	+4,0; -3,0
Overlapping (hᶦ)	32	54	+4,0; -5,0
Overlapped (h ²)	32	45	+4,0; -6,0
Overlap Width (b ᶦ)	43	60	±7
Edge overlap width (b ²)	37	65	-
Wave pitch (S)	150	200	-

flat slate

Flat asbestos concrete slate is used for fences more often than wave, as it is more convenient to install and has a large thickness.

Flat slate sheet size in mm	Sheet weight in kg.
Flat asbestos concrete unpressed sheet (LNP)
3000x1500x12	104
3000x1200x12	83
3000x1500x10	87
3000x1200x10	78
Flat asbestos-concrete pressed sheet (LPP)
3000x1200x40	348.1
3000x1200x35	293.98
3000x1500x25	250
3000x1500x20	180

This material is used not only for fencing the site, but also for installing partitions in adjoining utility rooms or for cladding walls with them.

General physical and performance characteristics asbestos concrete slate - in table:

Name of indicator	Indicator value
	Wave slate 40/150	flat slate	Flat slate for cooling towers
Bending strength, MPa (kgf/cm3), not less than	16(160)	18(180)	20(200)
1,5(150)	-	-
Impact strength kDm/m2 (kgf cm/cm2), not less than	1,5(1,5)	1,5(1,5)	2,0(2,0)
Density g / cm3, not less than	1.6	1.6	1.7
Waterproof. hours, not less	24	-	-
Frost resistance: number of freeze and thaw cycles	25	25	25
- residual strength in %, not less than	90	90	90.1
Weight of one sheet in kg	26.1	30	27.1

Until recently, all slate had a uniform light gray color. Today you can find material painted in various shades.

Colored slate not only has an aesthetic appearance, but is also more protected from external influences due to a layer of protective paint. Sheets almost do not absorb moisture, which means they become resistant to low temperatures. Practice shows that the service life of painted slate sheets is about one and a half times longer than that of ordinary ones.

Any asbestos-cement sheets have their advantages and disadvantages, which you also need to know about when choosing this material for installing a fence.

Positive traits

The advantages of the "classic" slate include the following:

• Affordable price compared to other materials used for the construction of fences.
• Sufficient strength. Asbestos concrete the sheet can easily withstand the weight of an adult without deforming or cracking.
• Slate durability. Since this material is mainly intended for roofing, manufacturers have set a minimum service life of 30 years for ordinary slate and 50 years for painted slate. However, most often quality lasts much longer. At correct installation in the construction of the fence, the sheets will stand no less, unless, of course, they are subjected to an accentuated shock load.
• Asbestos concrete is not combustible, which is very important for fencing a suburban area.
• Slate is not subject to corrosion, moisture from the soil or in the form of precipitation will not have a destructive effect on it.
• The material does not heat up in the sun, which also increases its service life.
• In addition, asbestos concrete can easily withstand any frost, without losing its qualities. Usually the guaranteed pledged resource of frost resistance is not less 25 deep freeze and thaw cycles.

Disadvantages of asbestos-cement slate

First of all, it is necessary to name those of them that most often appear if the slate is installed in the form of a fence:

• Brittleness of the material. With a directed impact or when falling, asbestos concrete sheets easily crack and split, especially in cases where they are made in violation of technology.
• The weight of the sheets is quite large, which is 22-26 kg for wave slate, and even more for flat slate - from 78 to 350 kg. To install it in the form of a fence, you need to prepare a reliable foundation.
• Asbestos, which is part of slate sheets, emits fumes harmful to humans, therefore, when cutting or drilling sheets, it is recommended to secure Airways and eyes from being hit asbestos concrete dust. Near a fence made of such slate, it is impossible to install a children's sandbox or a pool, to equip a resting place so as not to jeopardize the health of loved ones.

By the way, in many countries the use of asbestos in residential construction has long been banned. There is debate about which material is safer - chrysotile asbestos (used in production in Russia and other countries of the former USSR) or amphibole (European development). The conclusion is that both substances are carcinogens. This must be taken into account when choosing a material for the fence.

metal slate

Metal slate is often called corrugated board, which is most often produced from galvanized steel with a thickness of 0.4 ÷ 1.0 mm. The surface of the sheet is treated with anti-corrosion compounds, primed, and covered with a polymer on top - these materials create protective layers that preserve the metal from corrosion.

Usually this is a multi-layer well-protected structure.

Metal slate is used in construction for:

• , technical, industrial and utility buildings.
• Construction of permanent fences for private suburban areas and temporary fences for construction sites.
• Sheathing of walls of temporary or outbuildings.

Metal slate can have gentle (like a regular one) waves or angular ones.

Decking (metal slate) is divided into three types according to the height and structure of the profile:

• Wall - marked with the letter "C". It is he who is suitable for more to install a fence. The wave height of this profile is from 8 to 45 mm.
• The profile for the roof is designated by the letter "H". The height of its wave is from 57 to 115 mm. It is also distinguished by the fact that grooves are provided on the surface for water drainage.
• The universal profile "NS" is suitable for wall cladding, and for mounting a fence, and as roofing material. The height of its wave can be 35 ÷ 45 mm.

This material has both positive qualities and disadvantages, which you must be aware of if it is chosen for fencing the site.

Prices for various types of slate

Positive traits

• Ease of installation, which can be done by one person.
• The light weight of the sheets, which is only 3.5 ÷ 5 kg per 1 sq.m., allows you to do without building a foundation.
• Fire resistance, resistance to high and low temperatures.
• The mechanical strength of the material - it does not give T t cracks and cannot split, unlike asbestos concrete slate.
• Due to the oxide and polymer coating, metal slate sheets are resistant to corrosion.
• Very large selection of material colors
• The low cost of metal slate can significantly save on site fencing.
• The service life of metal slate is 35 years or more.
• Environmental safety of the material.
• The smooth surface does not allow moisture and dust to linger on the surface.

Material disadvantages

If the material is chosen for the installation of a fence, then it can be said that it has no drawbacks that could prevent such an application. There are not many disadvantages of metal slate and when using it for roofing, but they still exist:

• If slate is purchased that does not have a protective coating, then its service life will be limited, since corrosion is inevitable.
• The material is very noisy in heavy rain or hail.

Installed metal slate overlap. For rigidity, you can make an overlap in two waves. Therefore, this must be foreseen in advance in the calculations of the installation of pillars between spans.

Fence base

After the material for the fence has been selected, you need to decide how best to install it.

Two variants of the base for a slate fence are used - these are posts with a crate, installed at a certain distance from each other, without a unifying concrete belt, or a strip foundation with supports built into it.

When planning supports, you need to consider the weight and structure of the material chosen for the fence. So, when installing metal slate (corrugated board), any of the presented options will do.

To install a fence asbestos concrete slate, it is still recommended to choose a base with a fill.

If flat slate is chosen for the fence, the most massive of all the materials presented, then it is better to put concrete base. And additionally - enclose each of the sheets in a frame welded from a metal corner.

If the columns for fixing such a structure are massive and have a large depth, then sometimes they do without a strip foundation, installing only free-standing supports.

However, flat slate is also installed directly on the ground, fixed on concrete, asbestos-cement or metal posts.

Strip foundation with pillars

The strip foundation is a reinforced concrete strip, deepened into the ground and rising above it to a certain height. Its parameters directly depend on what material the fence will be built from, since the greater the weight, the wider and deeper the foundation should be.

For a slate fence, a large foundation width is not needed. But if a fence made of flat heavy slate is installed, then the base or supporting posts must be well deepened.

The preparation process includes marking the territory, determining the fence line, digging a trench for a concrete foundation tape, drilling holes, adding a waterproofing and drainage layer, and fixing a log on them.

A. markup

• The marking of the territory is carried out according to the plan, which is in the cadastral passport of the site.
• The process starts from the corner of the future building. Used for marking rope, pieces of reinforcement or wooden pegs.

The first step is marking

• First, at the corner or at the beginning of the site, an anchor point is determined, from which the direction of the trench for pouring the foundation will be marked.

The evenness of the foundation strip, and hence the entire fence, will depend on how accurately the markings are made.

After marking, the area under the stretched ropes can be additionally marked with lime, pouring lines from it.

B. Trench

• The trench is dug along the marked lines, with a depth of 300 ÷ 400 mm.

• Further, at a certain distance, holes are made with a hand drill for installing support posts. The maximum distance between them can be 2500 mm, and the diameter is 100 ÷ 120 mm larger than the diameter of the posts.

• If the fence will use the usual asbestos concrete slate, then the posts should be installed to a width of two ÷ three overlapped sheets, provided they are fixed on two or three horizontal logs.
• The depth of the holes for the poles should be about 1000 mm.

• If the width between the columns is 2500 mm or more, then a hole is drilled between them for the installation of a concrete amplifier in it, which will give the necessary rigidity to the entire reinforced concrete tape.

B. Foundation pouring

Upon completion preparatory work you can proceed to the arrangement of the foundation and the installation of columns.

• A 100 ÷ 150 mm layer of sand is poured into the holes for the posts, and an 80 ÷ 100 mm layer of crushed stone is laid on top of it. They need to be well sealed.
• Further, posts are installed in the holes and leveled according to the level (plumb).
• The next step is to pour a concrete mortar made from cement and gravel into the space around the posts. In the form of spacers between the walls of wells and columns, stones selected in size can be wedged.

The poured concrete must be left to set for at least one day.

• After the concrete has set, so that the posts stand rigidly, they are connected with horizontal logs, which are welded or screwed at an equal distance from each other.

For metal and flat asbestos concrete slate logs made of rolled steel (a corner or a rectangular shaped pipe) are well suited, but for a wavy asbestos concrete it is better to use wooden blocks.

• After that, a backfill is made into the trench under the foundation, first from sand, and then from crushed stone, and it is well compacted.
• After that, it is installed, while the reinforcing bars are not welded together, but are fastened with a wire twist. The top of the reinforcement belt is located approximately 30 mm below the future foundation surface.

• A wooden formwork is knocked together along the entire trench. If desired and possible, it can be installed from segments of flat slate of the desired height. In this case, such formwork can be non-removable, and the foundation itself will immediately have even walls that do not require additional decorative finishes. Moreover, flat slate can then be painted in any color or applied to it with a pattern, for example, an imitation of stone or brick. The height of the above-ground part of the foundation can have a height of 200 to 500 mm.
• After the formwork is ready, a concrete solution is poured into it - this process is recommended to be carried out in one step so that there are no gaps between the layers of concrete pouring. Otherwise, moisture may accumulate in the gaps, which, when frozen, can damage the solidity of the foundation tape.

From above, the concrete is leveled and left to dry. The process of drying and curing takes at least 8 ÷ 10 days. After the foundation is ready, it remains only to install slate sheets.

Prices for cement and mixture bases

Cement and mixture bases

Pillars without strip foundation

• If there is no possibility or desire to arrange a foundation for a slate fence, you can get by with the installation of only columns. In this case, you will need to deepen the holes for their installation. They begin work, in the same way as during the construction of the foundation, by marking the line of the future fence.

In this embodiment, one rope is enough for marking, which is stretched starting from the anchor point for the length of the entire fence in one or two directions.

• Further, along the rope measure and mark the location of the installation of the posts. A peg or piece of reinforcement is installed in the center of the future hole.
• Then holes are drilled in the marked places. In this case, they must be at least 1000 mm deep and have a size larger than the diameter or cross section of the pipes by two ÷ two and a half times.

This must be done because the pipe will not have such supporting walls that would ensure its rigid verticality, which the racks have in combination with the strip foundation. This means that its position will need to be strengthened by welding several reinforcing sections to the bottom of the column, placing them crosswise.

This is especially important to do if round or square posts with a small cross section are installed.

• If the support posts are used asbestos concrete pipes that have a sufficiently large diameter (150 ÷ ​​200 mm), they themselves must stand stably and do not require additional spacers.
• Sand and gravel are poured to the bottom of the well, and then it is well compacted.

Then a column is installed, stones are poured around it, and then the remaining space is filled concrete mortar. The verticality of the installation is immediately verified exactly, and then all this is left alone for 8 to 10 days - until the concrete sets and hardens well.

In the next step, the columns are tied with horizontal lags, which will give rigidity to the structure and will serve as the basis for attaching slate sheets.

The columns are interconnected by horizontal jumpers - lags

As a log, you can use a square pipe or a metal corner into which a wooden block is inserted and fixed - it will be easier to screw the slate sheets.

To fix horizontal lags on round pipes, special metal pads-ears with holes are welded on them.

Video: one way to install fence posts

Installation of slate sheets

After the base is ready, they proceed to, in fact, the installation of the fence from slate sheets.

• It is not difficult to fasten metal sheets - they use special self-tapping screws with heads that have the color of slate sheets, equipped with a press washer and a rubber gasket

Metal slate is screwed to the lags at the bottom of the wave.

• Wave mount asbestos concrete The slate is made through the top of the wave. Sheets can be fixed with slate nails or self-tapping screws. But before you screw in the screws or hammer in the nails, be sure to drill holes for them with a drill and a special drill. When tightening or driving in fasteners, rubber or silicone gaskets are put on them.

• It is very important to set the first sheet of the row strictly vertically. It is installed at the building level, fixed in two or three places, in addition to the edge on which the next sheet of slate will overlap (one or two waves). The sheet is fixed on each crossbar with three to four self-tapping screws.

• Flat slate can be fixed not on logs, but in a frame made of a metal corner, which is made according to the size of the sheet. The frame is welded to the supporting pillars, and then installed in it asbestos concrete flat sheet. Then, metal stoppers are welded from the back of the frame, which will hold the slate inside. This method is the most optimal when installing a fence made of flat slate, since there is no need to drill holes that weaken the material - with even a slight mechanical impact, a crack may appear on the sheet. There is only one drawback of this method - the high consumption of rolled metal.

If a sheet of flat slate is installed on the foundation and screwed to the logs or lugs welded to the support pipes, then the holes are carefully measured and carefully drilled. In this case, fastening is carried out with bolts, on which rubber gaskets are put on on both sides. And besides them, before tightening the nut, a wide metal washer is put on.

Fittings or other decorative design

In order for a fence made of metal slate to have a finished look, it can be ennobled with special fittings that are produced for wall metal profiles - these are corners of different sizes, a U-shaped bar that will cover the upper and lower edges of the fence, a lower protective bar that closes the gap if necessary between the foundation and the slate, as well as the roof different types for support posts. All these details can be matched in color to the main shade of slate, or, conversely, they can be purchased in a different color that goes well with most of the fence.

Flat slate can be covered with plain paint, or you can even be creative and transfer an image of a corner of nature to it or another interesting pattern (graffiti) that will complement the overall look of the entire yard.

In addition to the aesthetic transformation, the slate covered with paint will also acquire additional protective qualities, since the hygroscopicity of the material will decrease.

The task for creative hosts is artistic painting (graffiti) on the fence

You can paint not only flat slate, but also wave, although the latter can be purchased already in painted form.

Fencing from any slate is easy to install and affordable, so it is installed both on the boundary between two adjacent sections, and on the border with the street. This material will give the appearance of the territory neatness both from the street and from the inside of the yard, so it will suit any designer and color solution home decoration.

Video: an example of building a slate fence

Do-it-yourself slate fence: options and installation

Do-it-yourself slate fence - step by step instructions with photos and videos

There is an incredible amount of variety on the market today. building materials. For the construction of the fence there you can find hundreds of variations. Each of them has its pros and cons.

Some options are beautiful, but expensive, some are difficult to install, some imitate any material. The top choice for building fences with your own hands is slate. Here we will consider it in more detail.

Types of slate sheets (table)

Tools

For normal uninterrupted work on installing the fence, you need to get a grinder, drill, welding machine, set wrenches, building level, plumb line, construction hammer and cord.

From the materials, take care in advance about the availability of the desired type of slate, steel corners 5x8.5 centimeters, steel pipes from which the posts will be made, wooden beams 5x13 centimeters, wooden round log, bolts, nuts, fasteners, hex self-tapping screws, concrete, oil paint, bitumen and anti-corrosion compounds.

Fence base

Fence installation scheme

There are two types of base for a slate fence:

• Columnar. Support pillars with a crate are installed with a certain distance from each other. They are not connected to each other.
• Tape base. This is the base, which is made of concrete around the entire perimeter of the future fence and pillars are embedded in it.

To choose the right base, you need to clearly understand which of them is most suitable for which type. For example, to build a fence using metal slate, it would be more economical to use a columnar base.

This lightweight design does not require a strong base. But the asbestos concrete fence requires a strip foundation.

Moreover, if the fence is made of flat slate, then in addition to the concrete base, each of the sheets is usually enclosed in metal frames.

Sometimes an asbestos-cement fence is installed without a powerful concrete foundation, but then the supporting structures should be massive and well buried. And it happens that flat fence slabs are buried directly into the ground and fastened together with the same supporting pillars.

Tape base

Strip foundation with supporting pillars

This is a reinforced concrete strip, part of which goes into the ground, and part rises above its surface. The heavier structure you are going to hoist on the base, the wider and deeper it should be.

Territory marking: diagrams and drawings

Territory marking scheme

1. In order to correctly mark the territory, you need to carefully study the site plan in the cadastral passport.
2. Start marking from any corner using pegs and rope.
3. Set 2 pegs, at a distance of the width of the base and connect them with a wooden lath.
4. Measure the distance for the fence and put more pegs connected by a rail.
5. Thus, mark all corners.
6. Stretch the ropes between the pegs. Thus, the markup of the future base is obtained.

The evenness of the entire structure in the future depends on how even the markup is made. No need to mess around at this stage.

Digging a trench

A trench in which a sand and gravel pillow is poured

1. According to the markup, it is necessary to dig a trench. Its depth should be 30-40 centimeters.
2. Now, using a drill, make holes for the support pillars. The diameter of the pits should be 10–12 centimeters larger than the diameter of the pillars.

   Drilling holes for support posts

3. If the fence is made of asbestos concrete slate, then two or three overlapping sheets of slate should fit into the distance between two adjacent supports. Between the supports, 2-3 more horizontal logs are made, to which the slate also needs to be attached. The pillars of the supports should go underground for a meter.
4. The maximum distance between the supporting structures is determined. It is 2.5 meters. But sometimes they do more. In this case, a hole must be drilled between the supporting pillars, where a concrete amplifier is arranged. It makes reinforced concrete tape stiffer.

Filling the base

1. Pour a sand cushion into the trench with a layer of 10-15 centimeters, on it a pillow of crushed stone 8-10 centimeters. Each of the layers must be well compacted.
2. Now install the support posts in the drilled holes.

   Control their horizontalness with the help of a building level or a plumb line.

3. Pour free space pits around the post with concrete mortar. There you can also add a kind of spacers, from stones selected by size.
4. Now you need to give a day for the concrete to set.

   Installation of pillars

5. It's time to weld or screw the horizontal joists to the supports. There should be the same distance between them.
6. It is better to equip fences made of metal slate or flat slate made of asbestos cement with rolled steel lags. And wavy asbestos-cement slate is better suited for wooden logs.
7. Now you need to make a sand and gravel pillow for the trench. Each layer must be well compacted.
8. The next step is reinforcement. The rods are fastened to each other with a wire twist. The top of the reinforcing mesh should be about 3 centimeters lower than the future foundation surface.
9. Now you need to install the formwork. It can be made of wood, and removed at the end of all work. And it can be made from flat slate. Then the formwork does not have to be removed. It can protrude 20-50 centimeters above the ground surface.

   Formwork and reinforcement of the strip foundation for a slate fence

10. Now in one step you need to fill the trench with concrete mortar.
11. Now it remains to level the surface, let it dry (at least 8-10 days) and you can install a slate sheet.

Installation of a column foundation

Installation of support poles

Installing the posts that will act as a frame is the first thing to do when you start building a lightweight slate fence. To do this, dig holes around the perimeter of the future fence in increments of 300 centimeters. The depth of the pits should be approximately 500 millimeters.

Insert pipes of the same length into these holes. In advance, in these pipes, you need to drill several holes where the fasteners will be inserted. Metal logs are attached to these elements, and slate is already laid on them.

The part of the pipe that goes into the ground is treated with an anti-corrosion agent and molten bitumen, to which a little solvent has been added.

Finished support poles

Place the pipes in the dug holes and pour concrete into the holes. In order for the solution to evenly fill the recess space and prevent voids from appearing, pierce the poured cement several times with a sharp rod in different places.

With a building level, check whether the pillars are strictly vertical. If everything is in order, fix them with temporary props. After the concrete has dried, the supports can be removed.

Build 2-3 vertical logs between the supporting pillars.

Fence frame with supporting posts and lags

Here is our foundation. The time has come to fasten the sheets of slate that you have chosen. If these are sheets of metal, then it is easiest to work with them. They are fixed with special self-tapping screws with press washers and rubber gaskets. The heads of such self-tapping screws are painted in different colors, so they can be matched to the color of slate.

Self-tapping screws that attach metal slate to the crate

Metal slate is screwed to the lags with these self-tapping screws in the lower parts of the wave.

Scheme of fastening metal slate

Asbestos-concrete wave slate is fixed in the upper part of the wave with slate nails or self-tapping screws, under which it is necessary to make holes in advance with a drill special drill.When the fasteners are driven or screwed into the slate, special rubberized gaskets are put on them.

Scheme of fastening asbestos-cement wave slate

The exposure of the first row of slate is controlled by the level. It must be strictly vertical, because it gives direction to the entire wall of the fence.

Framed flat slate

For reliable fastening of flat slate, it is not necessary to build vertical logs between the supporting pillars. As mentioned earlier, they can be fixed in a metal frame.

It is made according to the size of slate sheets from metal corners. First, this frame is made, then it is welded to the supporting structures, and lastly a flat sheet of slate is installed in it.

To keep the slate in place, special metal stoppers are welded to the back of the frame.

Flat slate can also be mounted on the principle of the previous types, to the logs. But then it will need to make additional holes for fasteners, which will greatly weaken it before mechanical stress.

Finishing and decorating a slate fence + examples in the photo

To the metal profile fence for the finished general view, you can add special fittings, for example, supplement with corners various sizes, U-shaped planks, etc. They come in different colors. You can buy them in the color of slate or make them contrasting.

Fittings on a metal fence

To transform flat slate, you need to pick up paint brushes. Of course, you can paint it in one color. Or you can connect your imagination and depict some kind of masterpiece on it.

Painting on a flat fence

By the way, the coloring of asbestos concrete slate has not only a decorative function. The paint prevents moisture from entering the porous structure of the material, which can freeze in the cold and deform the material.

Wave slate is also painted. But in today's market, you can buy it already painted.

Painted wave asbestos concrete slate

How to make a slate fence yourself

A slate fence, as it becomes clear, is an uncomplicated building process, which does not require large financial costs and a lot of time. He will cope well with his immediate tasks and give the site a finished, neat look. If you opted for a slate fence, then the above instructions will help you. Good luck!

• Olga Morozova
• print

Source: //grounde.ru/zabor-iz-shifera-svoimi-rukami.html

How to make a slate fence with your own hands - step by step instructions, construction options and decorations with photos and videos

It is easy to build a fence from an inexpensive and reliable material. It is enough to deal with fasteners, markings and a plan for future construction. For example, a slate fence will last longer than an untreated board.

Yes, and in the private sector they even try to use old roofing material - you can make a fence from the back of the site from it. It turns out that both new and already used slate is suitable for work.

Features of using slate for the construction of a fence

Slate is one of the simplest and inexpensive materials to make a fence. Moreover, any side of the fence will look neat. Modern slate is suitable for both rural areas and for houses in the city.

The slate is made of asbestos cement, so there is no need to wait for maximum strength. It is easy to guess that even the thinnest iron is more stable. However, there are developments in the use of slate.

It is advisable to place the front part of the fence away from the road so that random debris from under the wheels does not damage the sheets.

And the usual barriers between neighboring areas are easiest to make from slate, even one person can handle such work.

This material has been known for a long time. It is obtained by mixing Portland cement, asbestos and water. Evenly distributed asbestos fibers form a strong mesh that increases the impact strength and tensile strength of the material.

Advantages and disadvantages of using slate fence

Advantages:

• low cost;
• average fire resistance;
• the possibility of decorative processing with any paint;
• simple installation.

Of the shortcomings:

• asbestos in the composition is not an environmentally friendly material;
• explodes when heated;
• service life depends on the specific location. And the lower the temperature winter time the faster cracks will appear. If you protect with acrylic (paint), then the service life will increase;
• protection is required when working with slate. Construction respirators must be worn so that dust does not enter the respiratory tract.

Types of slate used for fences

Wave sheets created from asbestos cement have a curly shape. The material has the following advantages:

1. Does not burn.
2. Will not deform due to weather conditions.
3. Withstands any significant load.
4. Not subject to corrosion.
5. Does not deteriorate due to moisture or dampness.
6. Does not overheat in the sun.
7. It is inexpensive.
8. Sold at any hardware store.

   Wavy slate does not burn and does not deform from moisture and cold

Flat sheets of slate have the same composition, the difference is only in the form.

Flat slate is made of the same materials as wavy slate and has the same advantages.

Both types of slate have flaws that can be ironed out. The appearance of the material deteriorates somewhat over the years, fades, fades. However, if you cover it with special substances, this can be prevented.

//vamzabor.net/drugie-materialy/zabor-iz-shifera.html

Flat or wave slate for a fence is a weak, more precisely, material that is fragile in bending. Do not forget about the weight of such a building unit, it is quite large compared to the same metal sheet.

If you decide to buy slate, and not use the old one from the roof of a house or outbuilding, then you should keep in mind that it is easier to mount and ship flat sheets.

Do-it-yourself slate fence installation

Making a slate fence is easy. On a not very large area, such work can be done in a few days.

Preparation for construction: marking the territory

Some important feature there is no slate fence in the marking. This working moment is the same as the layout for any type of fence. To begin with, it is worth clearing the part of the territory where construction will be carried out.

Next, you need to pull the thread and install it in such a way that along the entire length it repeats the line of the future fence. The markings are usually fixed to pegs, posts, steel reinforcement or any other remnant of building material.

Accuracy in size and the location of the thread along the entire length of the future slate fence is the main requirement for marking.

When calculating the building material, it turns out the required number of pillars for the entire fence. In the process of marking, it is necessary to accurately put a landmark in their place.

A specific distance is maintained between each pillar, with a careless attitude to this stage, further work will only become more difficult. After all, all sheets of slate have the same size.

It is under him that they plan to mark the pillars.

The choice of material and its dimensions

A good construction market or supermarket can offer:

• euroslate, he is ondulin; Ondulin is produced painted in different colors
• asbestos cement slate; Ordinary wavy slate has a natural grayish tint. On sale there are also painted varieties of such material.
• plastic slate. Plastic slate looks like classic asbestos, but weighs less and is easier to install

All of these materials are designed for roofing, but are also great for fences. When choosing, you need to focus on the characteristics:

• plasticity;
• stiffness;
• hardness.

When buying a new fence material, many prefer flexible slate. It certainly won't be blown away by strong winds. Such a building material has a rectangular shape, its surface is either flat or wavy. The downside is this: the declared service life is only 15 years, and every 5 years it is necessary to replace the protective layer. The interior of the flexible slate is subject to burning.

: flexible polycarbonate slate

Calculation of the required amount of material

The standard dimensions of wave slate are 1750 by 1135 millimeters.

The long side of the sheet is usually attached horizontally. Wave material must be mounted on an overlapping fence, for which there is a margin of 125 mm. This makes it easier to calculate the length of the fence. It is easy to guess that for 1 meter of construction you will need one sheet, set horizontally by a wave.

Interestingly, it is when working with wave slate that you should not be afraid of incorrect marking, because the sheets can hide all the errors between the pillars.

Flat material is available in four sizes:

1. Length 3 meters, width 1.5 meters.
2. Length 2 meters, width 1.5 meters.
3. Length 1.75 meters, width 1.13 meters.
4. Length 1.5 meters, width 1 meter.

Most often they try to buy the third option, paying attention to the thickness. This parameter should be equal to 10 mm, then the sheet itself will weigh 40 kg. For comparison: a thickness of 8 mm is already lighter - 30 kg.

Calculating the amount of material is very simple: you need to measure the total length of the fence and divide by one sheet. More precisely, by the amount that remains without overlap. Having received the required number of units, it is necessary to purchase with a margin of 2 or 3 pieces.

An example of calculating the number of sheets of wave slate

Assume that the total length of the perimeter is 40 meters. The wave slate 1750 by 1135 mm in the amount of 40 units is being worked on (the working surface of one sheet is 1 m). With a margin, they buy not 40 sheets, but 42-43, because marriage and mistakes in construction are inevitable.

Necessary tools for building a fence

When installing on your own, it’s better to work in pairs, but you can’t do it without the following set of tools:

• grinder or screwdriver with a cutting nozzle;
• drill;
• welding machine;
• spanners;
• levels;
• plumb;
• construction hammers;
• fixing bolts.

Step by step guide to making a slate fence

The work is performed in the following sequence:

1. Using a hand drill around the perimeter of the marking, arrange holes for the poles. When there is no such tool, they take an ordinary shovel to work and carefully dig deep, but not wide holes. They try to make sure that further pouring with a solution is economical. Pits are made one third of the length of the pillars.

   It is better to make the pit smaller, otherwise a lot of mortar will go away

2. Install poles. Corners from a metal profile or pieces of pipes can serve as a support. These components, together with the pillar, must subsequently be poured with concrete or cement. The distance between the posts is no more than two and a half meters.

   A monolithic fence frame is assembled from a metal profile or pipes, concreting them in the ground

3. Install veins. Between the pillars you need to fix horizontal strips, which are usually made of timber, and when budget construction- from poles. These elements must be fixed with screws. If the veins are made from profile pipe, they are mounted using welding machine. In the absence of such a tool, you can drill holes in iron posts and fasten any kind of pole to the bolts. When this part of the work is done, it is desirable to protect the fence frame with automotive mastic. Usually they try to apply more than one layer, then the frame structure will be completely protected from corrosion.

   In the absence of a welding machine, all connections can be made using bolts

4. Lay out the preparatory base along the entire fence line. An old brick is being put into work, a special platform is being poured less often.

   Filling protects the slate sheets from contact with the ground and prevents the penetration of small animals

5. Install the fence sheet. Sheets of slate are alternately fixed on the frame with nails or self-tapping screws.

   The slate is attached to the frame with nails or self-tapping screws. Nails that go beyond the border of the frame must be bent

: how to paint fence posts

Finishing and decorating a slate fence

It is not difficult to protect, decorate and maintain this type of fence. It is enough to follow some established rules:

1. The slate sheet is not attached to the very surface of the earth. They maintain a distance of 10–15 centimeters from the lowest point, arranging a special backfill below. Thus, the material will remain dry.

   Slate sheets are mounted at a height of 10–15 cm from the ground. From below make a special bedding or concrete pouring

2. To increase the life of the fence, it is better to use slate sheets, acrylic coating. This is an outdoor paint that is resistant to any temperature changes.
3. Garden crops are not planted near the fence, because gradually growing trees can destroy the leaf or create a crack in it.

Any mechanical damage to the slate is thought out in advance, otherwise its service life is reduced several times.

: installing a slate fence

Slate was invented for roofing, but it is not always worth creating reliable fences or barriers from it.

They stop on this material only if there is a large residue after construction or there is no suitable modern material in the shop.

While in the back alleys of the countryside, where the likelihood of theft good stuff too high, nail on the poles old slate would be the best solution.

• Mikhail Komov
• print

Source: //legkovmeste.ru/stroitelstvo-i-remont/zabor-iz-shifera-svoimi-rukami.html

Economical and practical slate fence

Protect your home or country cottage area from uninvited guests can be with the help of a fence. Currently, there are many types of material that can be used to build a fence, but slate is considered one of the most popular.

A slate fence is one of the simplest and most accessible structures for every inhabitant of the country, which could be seen especially often several decades ago - during the extension, when special choice did not have.

In our modern time, the building materials market is full of new unique and practical types of the same slate that everyone loves. But even the most ordinary slate slate has not lost its popularity and is still in great demand.

But before you buy slate, you need to accurately understand its types in order to make the best choice.

A beautiful and practical fence made of flat slate in a frame made of a metal corner

Varieties of slate

All varieties of slate existing in the world can be divided into several groups:

• according to the materials used in the manufacture;
• By technological process manufacturing.

In addition, each type has its own price.

1. Natural slate slate is a sheet of slate that can be different sizes. The original appearance and incomparable structure allow using it to create elite roofs on any building. This type has a number of advantages and disadvantages, so before choosing it, you need to weigh the pros and cons.
2. Asbestos-cement slate is wavy or flat - these are profiled sheets or just plain ones made of asbestos cement. Most often you can find a gray color, but today manufacturers offer color options, in which, moreover, the wave can be of different sizes. Increasingly, the consumer opts for a color version, and all because it is additionally covered with a protective layer.
3. Euroslate is a modern roofing material, which includes Ondulin, Nulin, Ondura, Aqualine and others. All these materials differ in production technology. It is made from pressed cellulose, and the binder of materials is a polymer. During the pressing process, it is saturated with bitumen vapor, which ultimately allows you to create a waterproof structure.
4. Plastic slate. This type is created from a high-quality polymer with different physical characteristics, and most often it is transparent with a slight tint. This type is used for roofing for architectural solutions where a large amount of daylight is simply needed, such as in swimming pools, greenhouses or verandas.
5. Rubber slate is created from fiberglass waste, secondary raw materials from the production and processing of rubber using the pressing method. With its high strength, this material is lightweight and is mainly used for arranging roofs.

There are many types of slate, but asbestos-cement is best suited for arranging a hedge, but it has a number of pros and cons, and before you buy it, it’s better to weigh them right away.

A slate fence can be installed on a foundation or just on the ground

The positive aspects of a slate fence

To accurately identify all the advantages of slate, it is better to consider its features and characteristics:

• Slate is a material with a moderate price, which means that anyone with an average income can purchase it. Therefore, a do-it-yourself slate fence will be inexpensive, but do not forget that in order to equip it, you will additionally need to purchase support poles, fasteners and a frame. It is also worth saying that the wave type will be cheaper than the flat one, and the owner of the plot decides which one to choose.
• This type of fence can last a long time if it is not subject to mechanical stress, which he does not like.
• It is also worth saying that this material does not burn, but when high temperatures it may crack.
• It endures any temperature fluctuations, does not react to changes, as, for example, corrugated board.
• Slate is easy to care for and process, it can be washed, brushed, including metal, if you want, even coated with colorants. If you want to make a colored fence, then you can just look at the already colored slate, the variety of shades is huge.
• Slate has medium soundproofing properties. It will not be able to reduce the noise level from cars passing near the house, but if rain or hail drums on it, then there is less sound compared to profiled sheet or sheet metal.
• This type of fencing can be easily repaired, if necessary, for this it is worth removing only the damaged section. In addition, the slate does not conduct current, is resistant to corrosion and chemicals and does not let light through.

Despite the fact that slate has a lot of advantages, it also has disadvantages and you need to know about them before choosing this particular material for building a fence.

A slate fence does not always look presentable, so it is better to paint it

Negative sides of slate

• The first thing every person should know is that slate is dangerous to health because asbestos is present in its composition. But if the slate is on the street and the person does not breathe it, then it will not bring any harm.
• The slate fence is quite heavy and all because the material itself has a lot of weight. This can create some inconvenience when building a fence, but the help of a helper will solve this problem. You also need to consider good load-bearing structure otherwise, over time, due to the large weight, the fence may tilt.
• It is also worth remembering that a slate fence installed in a humid climate will not last long, it will begin to darken, become covered with moss and crack.
• Slate is a rather fragile material, it will not withstand loads - any blow will leave a crack or even a hole on it, which will lead to repair work. Over time, when from its weight it begins to roll in the base area, cracks may appear, which over time will lead to the fact that part of the fence simply becomes unusable.
• Little aesthetic. If we compare wave slate with other materials that can be used to build a fence, then it looks completely unpresentable. If the choice is to stop at the color version, then you can slightly correct the situation, but it will have to be painted almost every year. But with a flat slate fence, everything is much better, it is more decorative.

There are many other pros and cons of a slate fence, but they are all, most likely, individual. It all depends on installation, care, climate and other factors. After the slate is selected, you can proceed with the installation of the fence, and it all starts with the preparatory work.

A fence made of plastic slate looks very beautiful and will decorate any area.

Preparation for installation work

To build a slate fence, each person will be able to independently, it is not necessary to have special skills, because there is nothing complicated about it. special tool also not needed, everything can be done with a tool that is available in every home.

Before proceeding with the installation of the fence, it is worth deciding on the place where it will stand.

If necessary, clean the perimeter of debris, thickets and large stones.

After that, you need to make calculations in order to purchase the entire necessary material exactly according to needs. There must be at hand: metal pipes for support pillars, corners for making a frame, slate sheets.

You also need to purchase fasteners: bolts, nuts, screws.

In addition, you will need a tool: a grinder with abrasive wheels and a drill with a set of drills. It is also good to have an apparatus for welding metal elements, a set of wrenches, a hammer, and screwdrivers at hand.

Also, to control the evenness of the erection of the fence, you need to stock up on a plumb line, cord and level.

Professional craftsmen advise making the base for the slate fence made of concrete, so you will need to stock up on sand, gravel and cement, if after the construction it is planned to paint the fence, then paint will be required.

It is easy to repair a damaged section, while disassembling the entire fence is not required.

Step-by-step instructions for building a slate fence

1. You need to start building the fence with your own hands with a mark.
2. Further, with the help of a drill, you need to make holes, you can use a shovel, around the entire perimeter at the places where the pillars are installed. They should be located at the same distance - no more than 3 meters, and a depth of 50 cm.
3. After that, you can install pillars, in our case, these are metal pipes that are treated with an anti-corrosion compound and set strictly according to the level and are well fixed with concrete. Be sure to let the concrete harden well - a couple of days will be enough.
4. After the supports are already installed, you can begin to assemble the frame.

   For these purposes, a metal corner or wooden bars are well suited, and it is recommended to fix them to the supports with screws.

5. Although it will be faster and more reliable to fix the metal corner by welding, and then be sure to cover it with mastic to protect it from corrosion. After the entire frame is completely made, you can proceed to the next stage - the arrangement of the foundation.
6. You can make a foundation from brick or concrete, but you need to make a formwork for it. Experts say that a brick foundation will look beautiful, but a concrete one is more practical.
7. The final stage is the fastening of the slate sheets to the frame.

   During these works, you need to ensure that they are fastened as evenly as possible.

That's all the wave slate fence is ready, in the same way you can build a fence from a flat one. Professional craftsmen advise to cover the slate with paint to protect it from various external influences.

Pre-finished metal pipes are perfect for slate fence supports

How to properly care for a slate fence?

This type of fencing is very easy to build and does not require the help of a professional, in addition, it can also be easily maintained.

Be sure to take into account all the subtleties in the arrangement, otherwise the fence will not last long.

Some masters advise not to use the foundation, but to install slate sheets directly on the ground, but here it all depends on how the owner of the site wishes and what his financial capabilities are.

It is also not advised to plant trees as close as possible to the fence, otherwise they can damage it during a strong wind.

If you take into account all our recommendations, then you can build a good and practical slate fence, which will not only decorate the site with its appearance, but also protect it from intruders. In addition, it will be inexpensive, which is very important for many cottage owners.

One of the budget materials for building a fence is slate. This name is often understood not only as classical asbestos-cement, but also profile structures made of rubber, bitumen, metal or cellulose. You can make a slate fence with your own hands from those species that have a rigid structure. In the process of work, a person does not need any special skills, it is enough to understand some of the subtleties.

Varieties of slate

Before choosing a specific material for installing a fence, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of each type of slate. In addition, it is necessary to have an idea of ​​the possible difficulties that may arise in the course of work.

A slate fence is a budget tool for creating the boundaries of your territory

Asbestos concrete structures

Asbestos concrete-based slate is often used for arranging fences in areas or fencing places where pets live. The material is produced both in the form of wavy and even sheets. Often the composition of the structures is identical, the difference may be in the size and thickness of the finished products.

The mixture for the production of slate consists of three components: water, asbestos and cement. Manufacturers may add builders. The resulting solution is pressed to the desired shapes and sizes, and then left to dry under certain conditions. temperature conditions. Asbestos concrete products can be divided into two types:

1. Wave slate. The usual one is in demand in the private sector. The reinforced type is often used for roofing industrial buildings due to its difference from conventional structures in length. Products with a unified profile are used for floors of both residential and industrial premises.
2. Flat material is much more often used to install fences than wave material. This is due to the ease of installation and greater thickness. In addition to fences, partitions are made from it on adjoining territory, and also carry out wall cladding.

Not so long ago, asbestos concrete structures were gray. Today modern technologies in production allow you to paint the material. Colored sheets have not only aesthetic appearance, but also more resistant to environmental influences due to the protective layer of the paintwork. Products practically do not absorb moisture, therefore, they endure low temperatures more steadfastly. The service life of painted structures is much longer than that of conventional ones.

Advantages and disadvantages

All asbestos-cement structures have their pros and cons, which must be considered when choosing a material for the manufacture of fencing. TO positive qualities relate:

1. Low cost in relation to other materials that are used to install fences.
2. High strength. The sheet can easily withstand heavy loads without being subjected to deformation and cracking.
3. Long service life. The material is often used for roofing works, therefore, manufacturers declared the durability of ordinary slate at 30 years, painted - 50. Practice shows that high-quality products on roofs last much longer. At correct installation fencing sheets will last no less, provided there are no intentional shock loads.
4. The material does not burn - this is an important factor when installing a fence.
5. Slate is resistant to atmospheric precipitation, moisture from the ground, as well as corrosion.
6. Sheets do not heat up sun rays which increases the service life.
7. Able to withstand severe frosts without loss of properties.

Despite the many undeniable advantages, the material has a number of disadvantages. You should focus on those that may arise when installing a fence:

1. Fragility. With directed impacts or during a fall, chips and cracks appear on the sheets, especially if the material was produced in violation of technology.
2. Significant weight. Before installing the fence, you should prepare a solid foundation, because wave products weigh 22-26 kg, flat ones - 78-350 kg.
3. Asbestos is harmful to humans. As a result, it is imperative to protect the respiratory and vision organs when working on drilling or cutting sheets. Next to such a fence, it is undesirable to equip places for recreation or playgrounds.

It should be noted that in many European countries the use of asbestos in the construction of residential buildings is prohibited. The substance is carcinogenic, so this must be taken into account when choosing.

Hardware

Often slate is called galvanized corrugated board. The surface of the products is treated with anti-corrosion mixtures, primed, and then coated with special protective compounds preventing corrosion. Recently, the material is often used in construction work:

1. Roof covering in technical, utility, residential and industrial premises.
2. Manufacture of fences for private houses and temporary fences for construction sites.
3. Sheathing of walls of household or temporary structures.

Metal slate is produced with gentle or angular waves. According to the structure and height, corrugated board can be of three types:

1. Wall manufacturers denote the letter "C". This type is most suitable for fencing. The height of the waves varies from 8 to 45 mm.
2. Roofing material is marked with the letter H. Wave height - 57-115 mm. On the surface there are special grooves that are necessary for the flow of water.
3. The versatile HC products can be used for fence, roofing or wall cladding applications. The height of the waves is from 35 to 45 mm.

Pros and cons of the material

Metal products, like asbestos cement, have not only positive, but also negative properties. All these points must be studied before purchasing the material for installing the fence. Design advantages:

1. Easy to install, a person can carry out work alone.
2. Light weight when installing the fence allows you to do without a foundation.
3. Resistant to temperature extremes and fire.
4. Strength - the material does not crack or split.
5. Thanks to various coatings, the sheets are not affected by corrosion.
6. A variety of colors.
7. The low price contributes to significant cost savings.
8. Duration of service - at least 35 years.
9. Environmental Safety.
10. The smooth surface prevents the accumulation of moisture and dust.

The main disadvantage of such a fence will be its fragility.

If the material is planned to be used to install a fence, in this case there are no cons. The use of slate as a roofing material has some disadvantages:

1. If there is no protective coating on the sheets, the life of the material is limited due to the inevitable occurrence of corrosion.
2. The corrugated board does not have sound insulation, so noise from rain or hail will be heard in the room.

Metal products are overlapped. To create additional rigidity, the overlap is done in two waves. This must be taken into account when calculating required amount material.

Fence Building Basics

Once the fence installation material has been selected, the next step is to determine the installation method. There are two types of base for a slate fence - columns with a crate, which are installed at a certain distance from each other without a unifying concrete belt, as well as a strip foundation with supports.

When planning supports, you should take into account the weight and structure of the products chosen for the construction of the fence. For example, to install a fence made of corrugated board, you can use any of options. If you build from asbestos concrete structures, experts recommend making a strip foundation.

When using the heaviest flat material, it is imperative to prepare concrete base. In addition, each sheet is recommended to be framed in a separate metal frame. When installing massive and deep-seated columns, you can do without pouring the strip foundation by mounting only individual supports. Some put flat products directly on the ground, fixing them on columns made of metal, concrete or asbestos cement.

Strip foundation

The design consists of a reinforced concrete strip, which is deepened into the ground and raised above it to the required height. The parameters of the base directly depend on the material of the future fence: the greater the weight, the deeper the foundation.

When building a slate fence, a large width is not required. However, if the railing is to be made of flat material, the base or support posts must be well recessed.

TO preparatory stages this includes marking the site, determining the fence line, digging a trench for a concrete foundation, drilling recesses, adding a layer of waterproofing and drainage, installing columns and fixing a log.

Poles without base

If there is no desire to engage in foundation equipment, you can limit yourself to installing columns. First you need to mark the places of future holes, and then deepen them.

The first step is to mark the lines of the future design. To do this, you need a rope, you need to stretch it from the anchor point to the length of the future fence. This can be done both in one and in two directions. Then the line marks the location of the columns. In the center of the future recess, you need to install reinforcement or a peg.

After marking the holes, they should be drilled to a depth of 1 m, the diameter is made 2 times the cross section of the pipes. This is due to the lack of stable supports for structures, like racks on a strip foundation.

Therefore, the position of the columns must be strengthened. To do this, several pieces of reinforcement are welded at the bottom of the pipe, which are placed crosswise. It is very important to carry out such manipulations when installing round or square columns of small cross section.

If asbestos concrete pipes are used as supports, such structures do not require the installation of additional spacers due to their own gravity and stability. Crushed stone and sand are poured into the bottom of the recess, then everything needs to be well compacted.

After that, a column is installed, stones are poured around it, the remaining recess is poured with a cement-sand mortar. The verticality of the structure is immediately checked. If everything is done correctly and no errors have been identified, the pillars are left for 7-10 days for complete solidification.

After the specified time, horizontal partitions are fixed on the frozen pillars. They will serve as the basis for fixing the slate, and will also give additional rigidity to the overall structure.

Sheet installation

After finishing work on the base, you can proceed to the installation of slate. Types of fasteners directly depend on the material:

1. For fixation metal structures use special self-tapping screws with a press washer and a rubber gasket.
2. Asbestos-cement wave slate is fixed to the fence with nails or self-tapping screws. Before screwing the screws in the sheets, holes are drilled with a drill with a special drill. Rubber gaskets must be put on the fasteners.
3. The first sheet must be set strictly according to the level. From him correct location depends on the evenness of the entire structure. The next sheet overlaps the previous one.
4. Flat slate is often attached to a metal frame - this the best option considering the significant weight of the products. The only drawback is the high consumption of metal.

Making a slate fence on your own is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. First you need to decide on the material, and then choose the base option. Making a fence does not require special skills, even a novice master can handle it. The process will not take much time and effort, and the result will certainly please.