SPAB: SLATING IN
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
SPAB: SLATING IN
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
Contents
1 Introduction
2 History
3 Characteristics
4 Winning and
production of slates
5 Work in general
6 Recording and
assessment
7 Repairs and re-slating
8 Specification and
detailing
9 Scantle slating
10 Rag slating
11 Patent slating
12 Wall cladding
13 Maintenance
14 Notes and references
15 Other advice
16 Glossary
28/1/16
Blue slates at the quarry, 3s. 6d. per thousand; for the ordinary rough undressed slates, great and small; running from 4 to 12 inches wide and 8 to 18 inches long, when dressed. The large eaves slates – provincially “rags” – some of them two feet square, when dressed, are sold at 2s. 6d. a dozen; rough at the quarry.
The price of dressing, or cutting slates into the required form, is 20d a thousand.
Marshall, W. , The rural economy of the West of England including Devonshire and parts of Somersetshire, Dorsetshire and Cornwall. Nicol, London, 1796, vol 1.
This advice note describes the production and use of slates in the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, and deals with the maintenance and repair of slate roofs and wall cladding. It considers regional details specific to the traditions of roofing and cladding in south-west England and explains, where appropriate, adaptations to incorporate modern requirements such as improved thermal performance.
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Quick download for screen viewing West Country Slate 2.pdf 2.8MB