A slate fence is the most economical option. Flat slate fence How to make a beautiful flat slate fence

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

• 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. To positive aspects non-pressed products can be attributed to 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 strength characteristics, but also in dimensions: 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 the selection of 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, metal poles with a cross section of 80 mm will be enough for intermediate supports and a gate;
• 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 supporting 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 with special compounds 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. To installed poles segments of the corner with holes for fastening the guides are welded. 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. At the last stage, a gate and a gate are installed. Gate leaves and gates are usually welded separately from a metal profile or corner. For fastening the wings to the posts, special canopies for the gate are used.

The wicket 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.

At the final stage, start finishing work. To extend the life of asbestos-cement sheets, it is recommended to treat them with coloring compounds. For this purpose, the best acrylic paints on concrete.

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

Flat slate in everyday life is called sheet asbestos cement. Such products have been known for a long time and are used for the construction various designs, including guards. A fence made of such material is considered one of the cheapest. In order to have no doubts about the advisability of using these products, let us briefly dwell on the advantages of such fences.

Features of slate fences

• No foundation required for brickwork.
• Small construction cost. If you focus on averaged data (they are different for each region), then, for example, about 720 rubles will have to be paid for a sheet measuring 3.5 x 1.5 (with a thickness of 10 mm). The same sample of 12 mm will cost around 1,000 rubles. And if we take into account that no special equipment or equipment is required, the services of professionals, then there is an obvious cost-effectiveness of such an option for erecting a building envelope.
• During operation, flat slate does not need regular maintenance. Anyone who has encountered wood fences knows how much time and effort has to be spent on processing the material with various special compounds - flame retardants, antiseptics. Asbestos cement is only enough to paint, although some owners do not even do this. By the way, if you consider how much work it costs to paint a picket fence, then here the “plus” of flat slate is obvious.
• Maintainability. It makes no sense even to compare which is easier - to replace a slate sheet or a reinforced concrete slab in the fence. And the process of restoring the integrity of brickwork is even more difficult.
• For those who do not like the curious looks of their neighbors towards their site, such a fence will provide reliable protection in this regard.

Flat slate fence construction technology

We will not dwell on the process of preparing the route - how and with what to clean it, how to make markings. Each owner has his own piece of land, and he himself will determine the amount of work. Therefore, we will consider only the main stages of construction. A zealous owner himself will think of what and how can be improved.

• Installation of supports

As such, it is more convenient (in terms of fastening sheets of asbestos cement) to use metal pipes. The places for the holes are determined based on the dimensions of the products, since the greater their weight, the more often the posts should be placed. But at the same time, the length of the profile used must be taken into account.

The pipe installation process is very simple. At the bottom of the hole, a small layer of fine gravel (gravel) is poured interspersed with coarse sand. Such a "bedding" is well compacted. After that, a support is installed in the hole, aligned vertically, and the same gravel is backfilled. Moreover, it needs to be “loaded” in small parts, at the same time spilling cement + sand with a solution (preliminarily ramming the next portion of crushed stone).

• Curb construction

By the way, this is not required. As a rule, its installation is carried out if it is planned to tile the area. But this work is also quite simple. A shallow trench is dug between the pillars and exactly the same “filling” is made as in the holes. The elements of the curb are laid on top and fixed according to the same method.

Since the slate fence is located under open sky, then it is better to use "galvanized". The blanks are fixed on poles in such a way as to form a frame on which sheets of asbestos cement will be fixed. In fact, these are 2 horizontal guides going from support to support. As an option, at the bottom, additionally install a corner on which the sheets will rest. This will also protect the lower sections of the slate from mechanical damage.

For greater reliability of such a “skeleton”, it is advisable to install vertical racks from segments of this material between the profiles (at a certain distance).

As fasteners, the so-called farmer self-tapping screws are used.

• Sheet mounting

Holes for fasteners are pre-marked and drilled in the material. Experts advise fixing the slate with roofing screws. The only thing that is useful from the special tool is a screwdriver. Given the massiveness of the sheets, the work is done with an assistant.

Its peculiarity is that, firstly, it is necessary to work only with well-dried products. Otherwise, after drying, the gap between the samples will become even larger, turning into a decent gap. Secondly, they should not be placed too tightly, since when wet, the slate slightly increases its dimensions. And the owner determines the specific interval between the sheets himself, taking into account these recommendations.

• Surface Finishing
• It is necessary to think over how to "mask" protruding from back side slate fence ends of fasteners. Most likely, a coat of paint will be enough.
• External finishing of sheets.

Helpful Hints

• Sheet asbestos cement has a porous structure. And since any fence is a structure placed outside buildings, in the open air, experts recommend painting flat slate. Acrylic paints are most suitable, as they have good water-repellent properties. In addition, their elasticity ensures that during operation the coating layer will not become covered with cracks and will not begin to “shaggy”. On sale there are even special compositions designed specifically for painting slate fences.
• There are recommendations to deepen the lower sections of the sheets, then you do not have to deal with the device of the curb. Of course, each owner himself decides the feasibility of just such an installation of slate, but one should not forget that the material is able to absorb moisture. Therefore, the usefulness of this advice is questionable. Including, in terms of the maintainability of such a fence. It is better to mount the sheets so that there is a small gap between them and the soil.
• Determining the depth of the holes, it is necessary to focus on the load that the supports will experience. This is not only the weight of the sheets, but also, for example, gusts of wind. Also, will lighting fixtures be attached to the poles? There are many nuances.
• To connect the fence with other structures (for example, a building), a corner is attached to their surface (vertically).
• Use for fixing sheets wooden beam(instead of a profile) is not recommended, as the service life of any wood is limited.

Asbestos-cement slate for site fencing is not often used. Bad publicity served him the habit of using the "residual principle". Many cottage owners put old roofing slate covered with moss and nail holes on the fences. Their neighbors, looking at its unpresentable appearance, choose other options for fences.

If you approach the matter competently, without trying to save on the fence due to the outdated roof, then slate can successfully compete with other types of sheet materials.

We set the goal of this article to consider the advantages, features and examples of slate fences. We hope that after getting acquainted with them, many readers will change their attitude to this material.

Slate fence. More advantages than disadvantages

So, what is good about a fence built from flat or corrugated slate?

• Firstly, such a fence is durable and unpretentious in maintenance. The service life of high-quality slate is measured in decades. At the same time, it does not rot, does not rust, does not collapse under the influence of frost and heat.
• Secondly, the price of a slate fence is low.
• Thirdly, the installation of this material is quite simple and does not take much time.
• Fourthly, with a creative approach, the appearance of a slate fence is not inferior to more expensive materials (stone, wood, polycarbonate, metal).

The only serious drawback of asbestos-cement slate is its relative fragility. From a strong point impact, it bursts. You can restore a damaged sheet either by using steel plates (flat slate) or by replacing (wavy).

The choice of options for asbestos-cement slate for the fence is not too large. Anyone who wants to save money buys standard material with a sheet size of 1.75x1.125 m (8 waves) or 1.75x0.98 (7 waves).

In the nomenclature of flat slate used for fencing, sheets of 1.0x1.5 m in size are in greatest demand; 2.0x1.5 m; and 3.0x1.5 m.

Examples of slate fences

When deciding which slate is better to build a fence from, you need to familiarize yourself with existing options its installation and decoration.

Wavy slate is most often placed on horizontal runs from a profile pipe, wooden block or a combination of "steel angle + wooden lath". Runs are fixed on steel (less often asbestos-cement) columns concreted in the ground or strip foundation. To fasten the runs (lag) to the racks, metal studs, self-tapping screws or welding are used.

The easiest option is a wave slate fence fixed to wooden board to metal pipes

To install wave slate, you can use steel water pipes, fastening them to the posts of asbestos-cement pipes

Flat slate is mounted in two ways:

• On horizontal runs from a profile pipe.
• Within the framework of a steel corner.

The first installation method is no different from the installation of wave slate.

Flat slate is fixed on horizontal girders. At the bottom of the fence there is a gap for ventilation, covered with a steel mesh.

The frame mounting option is more reliable. The corner creates a frame that protects the edges of the sheet from chipping. Using a frame allows you to refuse to drill holes in the slate that weaken the sheet. The frame is welded to the post. After that, a sheet is inserted into it and fixed from falling out with short steel plates welded to the corner.

Fastening flat slate with a plate on the back of the frame

Exterior view of a flat slate fence with corner and stripe edging

On the this photo we see another option for mounting slate. No corner frame is used here. Sheets with pins are attached directly to the posts. From below and along the upper cut of the fence a corner was launched. The joints of the sheets are covered with a steel strip welded to the corner.

It should be noted one more, not the most successful, way of installing flat slate on a fence - the use of mounting eye plates. Holes in the edges of the sheet and the installation of a heavy 4-point slate increase the risk of chipping.

Mounting slate on the eyes is an unreliable option

Everything is clear with the installation, but where is the promised beauty? the reader will ask. Indeed, it is time to move from the technical side to the aesthetic. It is not difficult to make a wave slate fence attractive and boring. To do this, it is enough to buy colored material.

Colored wave slate is the easiest way to decorate a fence

Monochromatic fencing is not for everyone. Therefore, we recommend purchasing slate in different colors and fixing it on the fence, as on an artist's palette.

A good option is to paint the slate with special paints. They can be used not only for continuous tinting. The fence looks very nice, on the sections of which an ornament or a landscape is drawn.

Flat asbestos-cement slate- "canvas" of the artist, waiting for his master

If the family has small children, a nondescript fence can be painted by drawing fairy-tale characters. This decoration will certainly please the kids and create a cozy atmosphere.

Slate goes well with stone. You can find original types of fences in which these two materials are successfully combined.

In addition to asbestos cement, plastic and metal slate is actively used for fences. Plastic allows you to build a light translucent fence.

The plastic slate fence is beautiful and transparent

Metal slate is a well-known corrugated board. Unlike asbestos-cement sheets, it is not limited to a dimensional standard. This allows you to build fences of any height from it. The methods of attaching plastic and metal to the fence are similar to the technology for mounting slate from asbestos cement.

Features of self-installation of a slate fence

As we said at the beginning of the article, do slate fence with your own hands is easy.

Preparatory operations include:

• Digging or drilling holes for posts. Their depth depends on the height of the fence, the type of soil, the strength of the wind prevailing in the area and can range from 60 cm to 1 meter. The size of the pits in the plan should be 20-30 cm larger than the cross section of the columns for high-quality concrete compaction.
• Concreting of racks in pits. This work begins with the installation of corner posts. Carefully leveling them in level and plumb, pour the concrete mixture. After it is set, a cord is pulled between the racks and ordinary posts are placed along it.
• The next stage is the installation of runs. They can be fixed to the outer plane of the posts or flush with it. Fastening is carried out with self-tapping screws or using welding.

How not to install slate?

Despite the ease of installation, in practice there are many errors and curious situations. We will consider a few of them. Runs for the installation of heavy slate must be rigid and durable. Despite this requirement, some site owners manage to use a thin plasterboard profile for this purpose.

Assuming that profile weakness can be compensated large quantity mounting holes, they weaken the strength of the sheet.

Gypsum board profile for slate fence is not suitable!

Second typical mistake- fastening of the slate is not in the upper rigid part of the "wave", but in the lower, most brittle. For clarity, we present a diagram of the correct fastening of the sheet to the frame of the fence. It is taken from the technology of mounting roofs.

It can be seen from the figure that a self-tapping screw or a nail, with which the slate is attracted to the run, must have a rubber gasket to exclude the hard point pressure of the metal on the fragile sheet.

It is unlikely that today it would occur to anyone to specifically buy slate for the construction of a fence. Against the backdrop of a variety of modern building materials, slate looks frankly poor, although for the price this is not the cheapest option. But if there is an opportunity to put into action and give a second life to the slate, which was removed, for example, from the roof, then you can build a blind fence around a summer house, a farm, a small industrial enterprise. It is quite possible to build a slate fence on your own.

Issue price

Many people remember the time when there was an abundance of slate on the construction market, and there was practically no competition for this building material. That is why slate fences were more common than others. And not because it is cheap or beautiful, but because other options either cost a pretty penny or simply did not fit the standard design of unpretentious buildings.

To date, a slate fence is not the cheapest option. This is in the event that the material will have to be purchased. Among the budget types of fences, a welded mesh, a type-setting wooden fence can compete. The cost of slate at a price can be correlated with the cost of a profiled sheet. At all budget option slate will look against the backdrop of the cost of brick, metal or natural stone.

Benefits of slate fencing

Despite the huge number of options, a do-it-yourself slate fence is simple, fast, fairly inexpensive, and neat. So, it makes sense to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of slate. It has been successfully used in construction for many decades. During this time, many advantages of this material have been revealed:

• The average price category of the material indicates its availability to the buyer with different financial capabilities. However, do not forget that additional costs will have to be incurred for the purchase of support poles, material for the frame, and fasteners.

Note!At a cost, a flat slate fence will be slightly more expensive than a wave slate fence.

• Slate fencing in regions with a temperate and dry climate will last a very long time. But mechanical damage will immediately lead to the end of the service life of such a structure.
• Slate is a non-combustible material. But at very high temperatures, it cracks. Therefore, during a fire, the fence is unlikely to withstand, but it will not emit harmful combustion products.
• This building material is resistant to temperature extremes characteristic of a temperate climate. This gives it advantages over other popular material - corrugated board.
• Caring for slate fencing is very simple. In case of damage, individual sections are easily changed. It can be cleaned, washed, painted. Although the latter is not particularly necessary, because today you can find colored slate on sale.
• A slate fence is unlikely to save from street noise. But during hail or heavy rain, the noise from it will be much less compared to profiled sheet, stainless steel, tin or metal.
• The material is resistant to aggressive chemicals, corrosion, and does not conduct current. The fence from it does not let in light and is a reliable protection from prying eyes.

Disadvantages of slate fencing

Slate, like any other material, has some disadvantages:

• A controversial drawback is the presence of asbestos in the slate. Asbestos is harmful to human health if the dust is inhaled during cutting or while working in a warehouse or production shop. During operation, slate does not emit any harmful substances, therefore it is considered a safe material.
• The heavy weight of the material requires special attention during installation. In order to avoid tilting the fence during operation, care should be taken to ensure the reliability of the frame.
• In regions with a humid climate, slate fencing is not the best way. Under the influence of moisture, it will be covered with moss, darken and crack.
• This building material is not resistant to mechanical stress. Any damage will require replacement of the sections. Over time, if the fence begins to slope, the slate sheets may begin to crack from contact with the base, as well as at the attachment points with support pillars.
• Attractive slate fencing can not be called. Made of wave slate, it looks very cheap. A more attractive option is to enclose the area with flat slate.

Which slate to choose for the fence

Thinking about how to make a slate fence with your own hands, you need to decide on the type and features of the installation.

The building materials market offers two types of slate - flat and wave. Flat slate is more expensive. It is believed that the appearance of the fence from it is more aesthetic. A kind of flat slate - pressed. It is much heavier than usual, but it also withstands a serious load. When installing the fence, flat sheets of slate are recommended to be laid in a metal frame from the corners. Thus, two tasks are solved: the strength of the structure is enhanced and the appearance is improved.

It is much easier to mount a fence from a wave slate than from a flat one. The sheets will have to be overlapped, carefully combining the waves.

Features of mounting a slate fence

It is quite possible to install a slate fence on your own, without the involvement of specialists, without building skills and complex tools. You just have to follow simple recommendations and consistently perform all stages of work.

How to make markup

The marking procedure for a slate fence is no different from the identical stage of work in the construction of other types of fences. The area around the perimeter of the future structure must be cleared of debris, branches, stones, and then leveled. Pull the thread along the line of the fence that has not yet been built. You can fix it on pieces of reinforcement, wooden pegs or steel bars.

Immediately you need to make marks in the places where the support pillars will be installed. In order to avoid difficulties during the installation of the entire structure, these marks must be made especially carefully. It should be borne in mind that slate cannot be built up or welded. And in case of deviation of one slate sheet by several centimeters, all subsequent sections will have to be moved with the transfer of supports. Accurate marking will facilitate all subsequent work.

How to install support poles

Depending on which pillars and what width of slate sheets you have chosen for the fence, pits are made for the supports. Depth can vary from 50 to 80 centimeters. The deeper the holes, the less likely the fence will move to the side, especially if the structure is high.

You can concrete the support pillars in one of the following ways:

• Pour liquid solution
• Fill with gravel and pour with concrete
• Install with stone or metal spacers

To protect metal poles from corrosion, the part that is being deepened must be given Special attention: wrap with roofing material, paint oil paint or treat with grease or used engine oil.

Section mounting

There are several ways to mount the frame and install sections on bolts:

• Between the posts, fix two lines of a horizontal base. These lines can serve as a corner or a profile pipe. On such a base, the slate is screwed with bolts and nuts. Given the fragility of the material, it is necessary to reduce the load of fasteners on slate sheets. To do this, washers or silicone or rubber gaskets are used on both sides of the mount.
• Another way: in addition to metal crossbars, build concrete base in the form of a border or pole. Another option is a strip foundation. This will help to better hold the weight of the fence, as well as prevent cracking of the slate at the attachment points.
• The next option is to do without a foundation and leave a gap between the ground and the slate at the level of 7 - 8 centimeters. The fence will not come into contact with wet soil, which means it will last much longer. A metal crossbar is welded between adjacent pillars at the right level from the ground. It should be wide enough so that wave slate can be easily installed on it. Connection method - bolted.
• The easiest option is to install a fence made of flat asbestos-cement sheets. They are installed on two crossbars between the supporting pillars. Flat sheets can be scalded around the perimeter with a corner. In this case, the base is welded to the supporting pillars.

Ways to decorate a slate fence

Usually a slate fence is left completely unfinished. Perhaps because they do not know how to embellish it. The easiest way is to paint or apply patterns using a stencil. It is worth considering that with the help of acrylic and alkyd paints you can not only transform the fence, but also significantly increase its service life. In stores you can find a special paint for coloring slate. If applied over a primer, the quality of the painting will be much higher.

Flat slate sheets can be given relief. Do this with cement mortar and stencils. The solution should resemble dough in its consistency. The surface of the sheet is leveled with the prepared solution, and then different patterns are applied using stencils.

A unique embossed pattern can be applied with decorative plaster. It is applied by spraying onto a pre-plastered surface.

Slate fencing can be made simple and neat, or you can build a whole work of art. Before starting work, you need to evaluate the features of the site, operating conditions, as well as your own requirements for functionality and appearance fence.

Slate is a material not so popular for fencing. For fences, elements left from the roof are mainly used, but sheets have appeared on sale that do not need decoration and additional finishing. And in skillful hands a slate fence will decorate the estate with little spending.

Depending on the raw materials used, it differs in structure, shape, working properties.

Users often search:

Let's analyze each type in detail.

Asbestos-cement

Standard slate. Suitable for both roof and fence. Sheets are obtained by pouring a mixture of asbestos, cement and water into molds. Asbestos fibers create a strong mesh, which increases the strength, resistance of the material to stress. Available flat or wavy.

Among the important advantages of using sheets for the construction of a slate fence, it is worth noting:

Of the minuses - fragility. When falling, the sheets crack or break into pieces. If damaged, the wavy elements are no longer subject to repair, while the flat ones are reconstructed with the help of metal overlay plates.

In addition, during the cutting of slate, caustic asbestos dust is released, which is harmful to the respiratory system. Therefore, you need to work in a protective mask or respirator.

slate

Natural material. It looks like stone plates of different sizes. Most often used in the arrangement of the roof.

For fences, it is used as an auxiliary material when it is necessary to decorate concrete or combined sections. Differs in durability, resistance to influences of environment, does not need additional finishing.

Other types

On the market building materials can be found:

1. plastic slate. The basis is a high-quality polymer. It has different degrees of light transmission. It is applied to a roof, walls in summer arbors, greenhouses. In addition to metal frame will be a beautiful fence.
2. Euroslate. This name was given to Ondulin, Aqualine, Nulin and others. roofing materials. Have different technologies production, but each type is based on polymer and pressed cellulose. Waterproof. Not applicable for fence construction.
3. Rubber. Composition - recycled rubber, fiberglass waste. Obtained by pressing. It has light weight and high strength. It is rarely used for the construction of fences, more often for roofing.

There are other types of slate, but when planning the construction of a fence, you should choose asbestos cement. The design will turn out to be inexpensive, it will not be difficult to make it even for one, and with the right painting, it will look beautiful.

Sheet types: dimensions, working properties, cost

A homogeneous mixture of asbestos, cement and water is put into molds and pressed, and then dried at high temperatures.

The result is a wavy or flat slate. We will analyze the nuances of each of the materials.

flat

In accordance with GOST 18124–95, such sheets are:

1. Pressed (LP-P). It has a high level of strength - 23 MPa (kgf / cm 3), which is many times more than the second type. Impact strength - 2.5 kJ / sq. m. Heavy in weight. Frost-resistant. To obtain robust design, it is recommended to install a fence from flat pressed slate.
2. Unpressed (LP-NP). For many technical specifications yields to pressed ones. Bending strength does not exceed 18 MPa. The only advantages are light weight, low price.

The most popular sheet sizes are:

• 2*1.5m;
• 1*1.5m;
• 3*1.5 m.

Thickness from 6 to 10 mm.

The use of flat slate requires the arrangement of a reliable foundation and fasteners. The average price is 700-800 rubles. for 1 sheet.

Mounting to poles is carried out in two ways:

The first option is considered more durable, since the frame protects the edges of the sheet from damage. At the same time, the slate remains solid without holes. The frame must be attached to the supports by welding.

The second option is easier. Using a similar technology, wavy elements are mounted.

wave

Three types are produced:

1. IN. Wave sheet with regular profile. Length - 112 cm, width - 68 cm. It is used for arranging the roof of buildings with a height of not more than 15 m.
2. VU. Reinforced wave. Length - 280 cm, width - 100 cm. It is used as a facing material for roofs of industrial and industrial enterprises.
3. SW. Unified Wave. Length - 175 cm, width - 112.5 cm. It is considered universal, since it is used both for the roof of private houses, industrial areas, and for various types of fences.

The unified sheet profile is considered the best for a reliable wave slate fence, because it has a high density, a convenient working width.

The minimum weight of 1 sheet is 18.5 kg, the maximum is 26 kg, the thickness is up to 7.5 mm.

Running slate dimensions:

• 1.75*1.125 m for 8 waves;
• 1.75*0.98 for 7 waves.

The average price of a standard sheet is from 200 rubles.

The elements are fastened to metal or wooden joists. In this case, the pillars can be made of different materials.

Often they buy colored sheets that do not need finishing, but cost at least 50% more than standard ones.

Do-it-yourself step-by-step installation of a slate fence

The construction instructions are in many ways similar to the erection of a corrugated fence, but there are still differences in the set of tools, the order of fasteners, and the finishing of sheets.

A preliminary cost estimate is drawn up, the total cost of the work is calculated.

The location of the future structure is correctly selected, taking into account the requirements of SNiP, so that in the future there will be no disagreements with neighbors.

Necessary materials, tools

Their list is as follows:

Safety precautions should not be neglected. Work should be carried out in overalls, when cutting sheets into parts, wear a respirator, an eye mask.

Marking, foundation

After preparing tools and materials, you need to proceed to cleaning the surface of the earth at the construction site from plants, roots, and debris. Excess soil can be taken out with a wheelbarrow to the garden.

The foundation is selected not only according to the load. An important role is played by the relief features of the site.

Under the slate fence, it is allowed to equip both strip and columnar foundations, and other bases.

Pole installation

Wooden or metal ones are often chosen for wavy slate, for flat sheets.

In rare cases, erected and mounted.

For a durable fence, metal poles are chosen, attaching other elements to them by welding.

lag mount

Let's give an example of an inexpensive option for a fence - fixing wooden logs to metal poles.

Work order:

1. We prepare the required elements immediately after pouring the foundation. Then there will be no downtime.
2. We cut the steel corner with a grinder into strips 200–250 mm long.
3. We drill holes along the edges so that it is convenient to fasten the logs from the timber.
4. We weld the strips to the supports in two places: with an indent from the top by 200 mm and from the bottom.
5. We treat the timber for the log with an antiseptic. It is recommended to take a section of 50 * 130 mm.
6. We drill holes through the prepared places. We fix the beam to the supports with coupling bolts.

If you are using fasteners profile pipes, then the procedure is performed as steel corner, and without it, only by welding.

Sheet mounting

Fastening of flat sheets is carried out in a pre-prepared frame of steel corners.

There is an alternative, more popular and simple, but it is inferior in reliability. Suitable for wave, flat slate.

The order is as follows:

If you need to cut the sheet into pieces, you should moisten it with water beforehand so that less asbestos dust is released during cutting.

How to paint the fence, the choice of paintwork

Slate processing provides the following benefits:

• prolongs the life of the sheets, prevents the appearance of cracks;
• the surface does not gather dust, looks smoother;
• you can give the fence the color you need, the degree of haze;
• protects slate from the formation and development of moss, lichen;
• the fence looks nicer.

You need to choose paints and varnishes carefully, since not all compositions are suitable for processing a slate surface.

• alkyd;
• acrylic;
• silicone (organosilicon);
• enamel type "liquid plastic".

For pre-treatment, special protective primers are used. You need to choose them so that they are compatible with the paint.

It is worth noting that when using most paints, priming is optional, with the exception of acrylic.

It is this type that is considered the best for a slate surface despite the high cost. It protects against fading, creates a protective film.

Primer, paint is applied with any convenient tool:

• roller;
• brush;
• spray gun.

Popular colors are:

• brown;
• green;
• red.

But if the desired tone is not in the finished form, you can apply tinting, that is, add a tinting dye of the desired shade to the purchased paint, which is purchased separately. Stir better with a construction mixer.

How to paint slate

The consumption of the product per linear meter depends on the chosen method of application (brush, roller, spray gun). Approximate figures are always indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

1. Basic . The entire surface with ends, joints, corners is stained.
2. Finishing. Apply after the first one has dried. Gives the structure a uniform uniform color.

If necessary, the number of layers can be increased, but it is up to you to decide whether to do this or not.

Fence decoration

You can decorate the fence not only by painting in one color.

Many owners acquire ready-made colored sheets of contrasting tones, alternating them with each other. Due to this, the structure turns out to be brighter and more interesting.

Multi-colored ornaments and landscapes look beautiful on slate. Such a fence will have no analogues, it will become a real author's work.

The option of decor with a stone is allowed. But this is an expensive solution and is rarely used by hosts.

Photo gallery

The photo below shows different ways installation of sections from slate, interesting ideas embellishments of such structures.

Despite the fact that slate is not so in demand in the construction of fences, with a creative approach, the design will turn out to be reliable and beautiful. At the same time, the costs of family budget will be minimal.

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