Roof Coverings

(CONVENTIONAL)
Factors Affecting Selection of Roofing
Material
 Types Of Roofing
• Country Tiles
• Allahabad tiles
• Mangalore Tiles
• Stone Slating
• Shingles
• Thatch
COUNTRY TILES
COUNTRY TILES
• They are non-conductors of heat and help to prevent extreme changes of
temperature within the building.
• The country tiles are similar to the spanish tiles.
• Good for residential house in villages.
• When they are made of good materials and are burnt well, they form quite a
durable covering.
• These have a good appearance and suit the surrounding architecture of urban and
rural houses.
 Methods of making the
tiles
 THERE ARE TWO METHODS OF
MAKING HALF ROUND
COUNTRY TILES. ONE MADE
ON THE POTTER’S WHEEL IN
CONE SHAPE, CUT INTO
HALVES, AND BAKED IN KILN.
THESE ARE MOSTLY CRUDE –
NOT IN UNIFORM SHAPE, SIZE
AND THICKNESS.
 THE OTHER METHOD IS TO LAY A
SHEET ON FLAT SURFACE, IN A
FORM OR MOULD, OR REQUIRED
SIZE, SHAPE AND THICKNESS. THE
SHEET THEN IS REMOVED AND
SHAPED BY PLACING IT ON A
HALF-ROUNDED WOODEN
BLOCK; DRIED IN THE SHADE AND
BAKED IN A KILN.
Maintenance
 Before the monsoon, people remove the tiles,
clean them with brooms and replace them.
This action is called ‘turning the tiles’. It
requires no specialised skills, industrial
equipment or products for the maintenance
of such tiles.
 FOR PRESERVATION OF BAMBOO FROM WHITE ROT, THE
TRIBAL FOLLOW A SIMPLE METHOD OF KEEPING IT IN THE
WATER FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE FIXING IT IN THE ROOF. IN
SOME AREAS BAMBOO ARE KEPT IN SALT WATER.
 INSTALLATION
• Tiles are laid in pairs of under,and over-ties.
• The under-tiles are laid with concave surface upwards,
• While the over-tiles are laid with convex surface upwards.
• These tiles are semi-circular in section at each end,
• But the diameter tapers longitudinally
• Groundwork consists of battens nailed to the common rafters or pitched roof
• Common rafters spaces 22-30cm apart and battens are fixed to the rafter at 6 cm
centre to centre.
• Laid with sufficient overlap.
• Last row of tiles near the eave,ridge,hip set in lime mortar.
• To avoid danger of water leaking through the valleys lead flashing is normally
done. Lead is the most common material used for roof flashing due to its excellent
durability and strength.
ALLAHABAD TILES
PROPERTIES
MANUFACTURING OF ALLAHABAD ROOFING
TILES
• THE RAW MATERIAL USED TO CREATE THE TILE ARE ALL FOUND IN THE
GROUND
• THESE RAW MATERIAL LIKE CLAY IS QUARREL AND REFINE ARE THEN MIXED
• A DRY MIXTURE OF CLAY, MAGNESIUM SILICATE AND OTHER INGREDIENTS AR
PRESSED INTO A MOULD AND THEN FIRED AT A EXTREME HIGH TEMP
• THE INGRIENDIENTS USED IN THIS PROCESS ARE SLIHTLY WET
• THEY ARE FORCED THROUGH A NOZZLE WHCH FORMED THE TILE SHAPE
PREPERATION OF ALLAHABAD TILES
• These consist of two sets of tiles the lower ones are flat tiles with upturned sides.
• End width reduced from 27 cm to 23 cm and the length is about 30 – 40 cms.
• The over tile is half round in section and tapers from 16.5 cm to 12 cm in diameter.
• Half round tiles are molded on potters wheel as a round tapering cylindrical tile.
• Two longitudinal cuts are given to the cylinder while still not dry. With this it is
easy to break it into two semi circular tiles after burning .
MANGALORE TILES
MANGALORE TILES

Mangalore Tiles are the most popular tiles. favorite since ages because of their
nostalgic & evocative use in heritage buildings and the peculiar pattern.
The conventional size of Mangalore Tiles is 10 x 16 inches but are available in
different sizes to suit different requirements.
 Glazed Manglore Tiles in different sizes are also available to suit the modern
times.
Preparation Of Mangalore tiles
• First part is to collect enough clay and place it in a mold and is cut to exact measurement.
• Then that rectangular piece of clay with exact length and thickness is placed on another
machine which puts the factory logo and shapes it into a tile.
• Then with hand any extra clay is removed and sent to be carried for firing and later
glazing.
• The tiles get their robust red colour due to the high proportion of iron compound found
in the laterite clay
• Once fired and glazed it is ready and is stored for transport/shipping
Properties of Mangalore Tiles
• These tiles are eco friedndly 
• cheap,
• Durable and cost only the third of that
cement
•    Long lasting WORKMANSHIP
•    Provides heat and sound insulation
• Placed at SLANT ROOF
•    Aesthetically appealing
• Ridges are made for water passage
•    Low maintenance cost  
• A tile weighs about 2 kilograms (4.4 lb)
to 3 kilograms (6.6 lb)
STONE SLATING
 STONE SLATING
•Slate is particularly suitable as a roofing
material as it has an extremely low water
absorption index of less than 0.4%.
•Slate roofing is one of the most
distinguished building products.
•Stone slates vary considerably in size,
shape and weight.

SIZE- Its sizes vary from 60 cm x35cm to

25cm x12cm and thickness varies from
1.6 to 4.8 mm.
CHARACTERISTICS–

•IT SHOULD BE HARD, TOUGH AND DURABLE.

•RING BELL-LIKE WHEN STRUCK
•NOT SPLIT WHEN HOLED OR DRESSED
•WHEN LEFT IMMERSED IN WATER TO HALF ITS HEIGHT FOR TWELVE
HOURS, THE WATER LINE ON THE SLATE SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 3MM
ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE WATER IN THE VESSEL .
•IF DRY SLATE IS KEPT IN WATER WHICH IS KEPT BOILING FOR FORTY-EIGHT
HOURS, ITS INCREASE IN WEIGHT SHOULD NOT EXCEED 0.3%. ,
•AND, IF A SPECIMEN OF SLATE IS IMMERSED FOR EN DAYS IN A SOLUTION
OF SULPHURIC ACID IT SHOULD NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF FLAKING OR
SOFTENING.
Advantages-
• Long lifespan
• Naturally impervious surface
• Low maintenance
• Tiles are quite heavy- so it’s a roof suitable for areas with strong wind;
• Aesthetically pleasing roof;
• Slate does not rot and is not affected by insects;
• Provide good fire protection .
 Disadvantages-
Some of the major disadvantages of slate roofs are:
• It is quite expensive – both in terms of material cost, and workmanship.
• Slate is fixed with nails, an effective technique but very demanding that can be
performed only by professional workers trained to avoid breaking plates.
• Because slate is heavy, sometimes it needs additional support.
• It is difficult to walk on such a roof when repairing. Slate roof can easily break under
the weight of a man.
Formation of Slate-
Slate is hard, fine- grained sedimentary argillaceous (clayey) stone.
Originally, the particles of clay were deposited by water and subjected
to vertical pressure to form shale (intermediate between clay and
slate); this was subsequently changed into slate as a result of
tremendous lateral pressure and heat.

Quarrying- Slate is obtained from either open Quarries or mines.

Gunpowder or gelignite is used to blast the rock and dislodge huge
blocks of slate.
Slate stone is found in many places in India including
the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar etc.
Ref: (regattaexports.com)/18-8-18
 Conversion-
After the block have been reduced in size by the use of
the mallet, chisel etc., to permit of their convenient
removal from the mine or quarry, the are transported to
the sawmill for sawing, splitting and dressing.

Diamond or circular saw for sawing

Ref: (regattaexports.com)/18-8-18
Splitting of slate
Dressing of slate
 Transportation (Packing and Shipping)
The final stage before your
slate is ready for shipping is
packing. Every pallet from the
factory is packed by hand, in
order to ensure minimal
breakages or damage. The slates
are packed tightly on end so
that the slate doesn’t move and
shatter during transportation. Ref: (regattaexports.com)/18-8-18
TERMS- various terms used in slating are:
• Back- The upper and rough surface of a slate.
• Bed- The under and smooth surface
• Head- The upper edge.
• Tail- The lower edge.
 Sub-structure – (Roof covering for pitched Roof)
A sloping roof is known as a Pitched roof. Most of the following terms
used in connection with roof construction are-
Preparation of Roofs for Slating-
The groundwork may consist of either

a) Horizontal slating or cross battens

b) Boarding and felting
c) Boarding, felt and slating battens or
d) Boarding, felt , counter-battens and slating battens
 Horizontal Slating or Cross Battens-

This is the most common method as it is the cheapest. It is quite

satisfactory and a drop-dry roof is assured provided either felt or
torching is applied to prevent the access of rain, snow and dust.
Boarding and Felting-
The boarding is nailed to the spars and then covered with
felt. This provides a drop-dry and draught proof roof,
although dampness has been caused through the penetration
of water through the nail holes. Heat is less readily
transmitted through this roof than that described at and
therefore rooms which are partly in such a roof are relatively
warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Boarding, Felt and Slating Battens-
The boarding is fixed, felt is nailed to it, and the cross-
battens are then fixed to the required gauge to receive the
slates. Although expensive it is not a satisfactory method,
as any rain or snow blown up between the slates lodges
on the upper edges of the cross battens causing, in some
cases, a rapid decay of battens.
Boarding, felt, Counter-battens and Slating Battens-
This is undoubtedly the best method and is adopted in first-class work. After the
boarding and felt have been fixed, 50mm by 19mm counter-battens are nailed
running from eaves to ridge at the same distance apart as the spars; the slating
battens are nailed to them at the gauge apart and the slates are secured to them.
Any driven rain and melted snow gaining access pass down between the counter-
battens to the free outlet at the eaves. Besides providing a perfectly drop-dry
roof, heat losses are reduced to a minimum and this construction is therefore very
suitable for open roofs such as are required for churches, public halls, etc., in
addition to domestic buildings where the expense is not prohibitive.
 Preparation of Slates on Site –
To cut slate, you'll need to mark the slate so that you have a
line to cut across. Then, you'll need to use a chisel and hammer,
handheld slate cutters, or a power saw to cut it.

Use a straightedge and a pencil to mark a line

 Marking the Slate and Preparing to Cut

Flip the slate over when manually cutting the slate

Mark and cut the top of the slate when

using power tools. 

https://wikihow.com
1ST METHOD –Utilizing a Chisel and Hammer
• Use a chisel and hammer when cutting through thin slate.

https://wikihow.com
Place the chisel on the line and lightly tap on the top of it

https://wikihow.com
2nd METHOD- Cutting the Slate With a Slate
Cutter

Use a slate cutter when cutting through slate that's medium thickness
core the line that you drew with a sharp tool

Line the slate cutters up with the scored line that you made.
Squeeze the handles together and cut the slate. 
3RD METHOD- Using Power Tools to Cut Slate

Buy or rent an angle grinder or circular saw to cut through thick slate
 Use an angle grinder to cut through slate that’s more than 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) thick.
Clamp your slate over the edge of a
workbench

Place the blade along the line and pull the

trigger

https://wikihow.com
Cut down the line that you made 
https://wikihow.com
 PRECAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE
CUTTING THE TILES-

Work in a well-ventilated area

Wear goggles, a facemask, construction gloves, and

the proper attire
https://wikihow.com
 Slate Roof Installation steps-
(1) Construct the roof properly

(2)Install the underlayment

(3)Install battens(if applicable)

(4) Install the tiles
 How to change a roof tile-
Replacement of roof tiles that have cracked, broken or disappeared is
important to prevent roof leaks an ceiling damage once rain and wind
appear.
STEPS-
 Examples-

View of the mountain village house in old Manali, Manali

Kullu (Himachal pradesh) traditional house north India

SHINGLES
 SHINGLES
• Roof Shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements. These
elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the
roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below.
DIMENSION OF ROOF SHINGLES
They are rectangular,the most prevalent size being 12 inches wide by 36 inches
long.
Metric shingles are 13 ¼ inches by 39 3/8 inches.
Strip shingles most frequently have three tabs that are exposed along the length
of the shingle for visual Affect and are called 3 tab strip shingles.
TYPES OF SHINGLES
 ASPHALT SHINGLES
 TILE SHINGLES
 METAL ROOFS
 WOOD SHINLES
 SLATE SHINGLES
ASPHALT SHINGLES
ASPHALT SHINGLES
 Most frequently used,asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive.
 Asphalt shingles have a relatively short life span of 20 to 30 years.
TILE SHINGLES
TILE SHINGLES
 Unique appearance characteristic of the southwest states and colonial spanish
architecture
 Most expensive to purchase and install
 One of the long lasting more than 50 years.
METAL ROOFS
METAL ROOFS

 Especially flat and steep rooflines.

 Low-end galvanized metal roofs are relatively inexpensive.
 Largely seen in the Northwest and Rocky mountains
 Materials:stainless steel,aluminium,copper,zinc alloys.
WOOD SHINGLES
WOOD SHINGLES
 Aesthetically appealing because of the natural appearance.
 Made of hardwood like cedar or redwood.
 Last at least 30 years and as long as 50 years.
SLATE SHINGLES
SLATE SHINGLES
 Extremely durable,with a life span of up to 50 years
 With proper mainteance.
INSTALLATION OF SHINGLES
THINGS YOU’LL NEED
•Roof hammers
•Hammer tack/stapler
•Chalk box
•Speed square or framing square
•Caulking gun
•Ladders and scaffolding
•Air compressor
•Pneumatic coil roofing nail gun
•5/8 inch (1.6cm)tacks/staples
•1 inch(2.5cm) minimum roofing nails
•Tubes of asphalt cement
•15pound(6.8kg) asphalt roofing paper
•Metal flashing or preformed drip molding for edges
PREPARING THE ROOF

 Get the right number of shingles for the job.

• Measures the length of a shingle as it lies across the roof.
• Remove old shingles and flashing.
• Clean the roof.
• Install underlayment and new flashing.LAY ASPHALT,FELT PAPER,SPECIFIC
WATERPROOF UNDERLAYMENT
• Choose the kind of starter course you will use.
• USE chalk lines to make a guide for yourself.Chalk guidelines beginning 7 inches from the
bottom roof edges
INSTALLING THREE-TAB SHINGLES

• Cut your starter course shingles if necessary.

• Cut five different lengths for staggerig slots.Course of shingles a ½ tab from aligning with the
slots in shingles above and below.
• Start layin courses. • Butt a full shingle up against the cut shingle
and nail into place.
• Cut the last shingle to the size you reach the end of the row.
INSTALLING RIDGE SHINGLES

• Install the last course • Install the ridge shingles.

Apply a heavy bead of asphalt cement.
POINTS TO REMEMBER DURING
INSTALLATION OF SHINGLES
• We begin by installing singles from thelower corner,working to the right and also working uphill.
• When starting the first row of shakes, welet them hang over the roof at least 1 inch to allow for
rain and snow runoff.
• Always let the fat or thicker end of the shake face down towards the ground.
• Space each shake ¼ inch from each other to allow for expansion and contratiction.
• When the first row is complete, attach another row of shakes over the previous layer. Stagger all
the joints so they do not fall over another one below it
• Nail each shingle with a galavanized nail ¼ inch from each edge and ½ inch above where the next
shingle will overlap.
PROPERTIES OF SHINGLES
• A high degree of thermal insulation on both roof and walls.
• Wood has outstanding rigidity in hurricane winds and can withstand natural
disasters.
• This type of covering is light and cosists of small units.
• They do not get affected in their strength by rough use and can be replaced
easily.
• Algae resistance and waterproof.
TILES USED FOR DFCORATIVE PURPOSE
THINGS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF…
 Shingles must be doubled or tripled at all eaves.

In any three courses, no two Joints should be in direct alignment.

THATCH
What is thatch?
A ROOF COVERING OF COMBINATION OF DRY VEGETATION SUCH AS STRAW, REEDS, PALM LEAVES,
SEDGE, RUSHES, HEATHER OR A SIMILAR MATERIAL.
 LAYERING THE VEGETATION SO AS TO SHED WATER AWAY FROM THE INNER ROOF.
Workmanship
Normally a thatching team consists of 4 men.
One to pass the bundles to roof level.
Two thatchers working on the external roof surface.
One working under the roof to assist those working on the top.

Estimated work :
Such a team is expected to lay approximately 10 m2 thatch in a day.
 Traditional Thatch
The plant types used or construction of thatches can be classified into 3 groups

Palm leaves –fan or feathered shaped

Grasses with soft stems
Grsses with stiff stems

Development
• It is largely been replaced by rigid inorganic materials like
• stone tiles
• Metal sheets
• Clay
• Cement based tiles
Materials used as a
thatch

Rushes

Palm fronds Sedges

Materials of Thatch
1. Bamboos: It is used in the frame work, give strength to the frame. should have a
diameter of 40 MM. They should be dipped in crude oil before use.

.  
2. Thatch (Grass Poola): Thatch should be of best quality grass straw, well selected, clean,
free from thorns, seeds etc. thatch could be dry straw, reeds, palm leaves, sedge, rushes,
or a similar material.
3. Moonj Ban (rope): Moonj Ban is tarred string
(Rope) made from local materials Moonj Grass
(thatch). This rope is used to tie up the bamboo to the
frame and thatch.
Sources
Thatch can be collected from 3 different sources
• Naturally occuring indigenous vegetation.
• As a by-product of food or cash crops.
• Through cultivation of plants especially grown for thatching .
• Example : cereal, straw,rye,wheat,rice
 Material Specification
Grass :Length:minimum 1 m, maximum:2.5m
Optimum:1.6 m
Stem (culm) diameter: 5 to 10 mm at the cut end.
Thinner grass is preferred as it packs more tightly and thus becomes more durable.
Straight stems: bent grasses would hinder tight packing and would be difficult to dress.
Strength:Grass is tested by pressing the butt between the fingers.
Flexibility:Stem should niot be too brittle when dry so as not to break when being laid.
Leafless stems after combing :Leaves left on culms make grass difficult to handle , absorb water ans look
untidy.
Hollowness of stems: Hollow stems are more durable as they do not facilitate water through capiliary action.
Construction details
 ON SIDES

ON THE TOP
JOINTS
Characteristics of a thatch
Advantages
• As a local material , it tends to harmonise with the surrounding.
• It is an excelent insulator , both for heat and sound.
• It keeps the place cool in summers and warm in winters.
• It requires simple and inexpensive maintainence.
• It can be shaped into natural, flowing forms unlike the harsh lines
created by tiles.
• It uses all local materials, hence cost effective .
• It is environment friendly.
Disadvantages

• They leak, harbour insects,tend to catch fire and do not last very long.
• It is not suitable for urban housing due to being combustible.
• Installation cost is high.
• Thatching materials are bulky hence transportation cost is high.
• They can’t be used to collect rainwater.
• They need annual inspection.
Tools used in thatched roofing
On the basis of function they are divided into
• Tools for laying the thatch
Pegs
Reed holder
• Tools for fixing the thatch
Needles
Nails
• Tools for dressing the thatch
Leggatt

Other tools includeladder,mallet,sheer shears, garden shears, penknife and wire cutters.
 PEGS
Pegs are used to retain the edge of each layer of thatch whilst work proceeds.
hey can be as simple as a wooden stick about 400 mm long with a point on the end.
They are also used to check the depth/thickness of thatch.
 Reed Holder
The tool shownhere is a reed holder.
It is used to prevent the bundles of thatch from falling back to the ground.
It has a hook that gets attached to the battens of the roof structure.
Needles
There are 2 kinds of needles
1. straight- It is used where the interior of he roof space is open for easy access.
The thatcher pushes the needle loaded with a string wire through to the person
inside who loops it around the batten and pushes it backthrough the thatch to
outside.

2.If the interior access I not simple then curved needles are used.
Screwed binding
It is an alternative method of stitching.
Instead of looping around the battens, it is secured to the upper surface of the timber work by a
screw.
The screw is 25mm long.
Two equal lengths of wire are twisted together and tightened to provide secure fixing.
 Nailing
It is possible if the roof timbers are equaly spaced and can accept nailing without splitting.
3 kinds of needles are used
1.Approximately 20 cm for fixing eave course of grass.
25 cm for all the middle courses.
30cm for the top course.
 Dressing the thatch
Leggatt is used for dressing the thatch.
The purpose is to beat the thatch tightly to produce a smooth and compact surface.
It is a square, flat block of hardwood, 20x20x3 cm thick.
On one face is a secured 30 cm long handle.
Uses
• A penknife is a straight knife for cutting the bundle ties and stitching fibres.
• A mallet for levelling the edge of the eave and gable overhang of the thatch.
• Panga ia a straight blade knife for trimming the grass at thr ridge.
• Shears are used to trim grass beneath the eaves to give it a smooth and neat appearance.
• Wire cutters are used to cut the string used for stitching.
• Ladders are a necessity to reach the roof top.
Defects in thatch
thatch decay
• Decay starts when the thatch surface is physically damaged.
• This may be caused by rain, winds,exposure to sunlight,swelling and shrinking
through temperature change etc.
• Grass structure is destroyed in warm,wet weather conditions.
Fire Hazard
• Grasses and palm leaves are combustible when dry.
• Remedies- thatch can’t be made completely incombustible apart from
sandwiching the thatch between two incombustible layers.
Thank you.!