Asbestos-cement sheet, better known as slate, has not lost its fame as a unique building material for many decades, being successfully used in modern construction.
Scope of application
Slate sheets today are made in two versions - wave and flat.
But if the profiled corrugated sheet is used only as a roofing, then the flat one is much more widely used.
It is used in the construction of residential buildings, as well as administrative and industrial facilities. Asbestos-cement flat sheet in this case is used as a fixed foundation formwork, used for the construction of unloaded partitions in a building, as one of the components of a flat roof pie, a dry screed for floors, or as a fence for balconies and loggias.
In the production of sandwich panels, slate is a facing component.
In agriculture, it is used for the construction of fences, pens for livestock, cages in poultry farms.
Types of asbestos-cement sheets
Slate is a mixture of asbestos fiber, Portland cement and water. distributed evenly across themass of the composition, it is asbestos that creates a reinforcing base that gives the sheets impact strength and tensile strength.
Depending on the production technology, asbestos-cement sheet is produced unpressed and pressed. The pressing method makes it possible to significantly improve its performance, thereby increasing strength and reducing porosity.
Since non-pressed slate has a lower strength and 2 times less thaw-freeze cycle than its pressed counterpart, it is used only inside buildings.
Both types of slate differ in low price, and unpressed asbestos-cement sheet is much cheaper.
Pros and cons
It is no coincidence that this building material is in great demand. It is distinguished by high technical characteristics, the main of which are:
- frost resistance and ability to tolerate temperature extremes;
- no deformation when heated;
- high strength;
- good noise isolation;
- UV indifference;
- high fire safety;
- ability not to accumulate static electricity and not to shield electromagnetic fields;
- high anti-corrosion properties;
- rot and mildew resistant;
- easy handling and easy installation;
- durability.
Such properties have all types of slate. Along with this, flat pressed asbestos-cement sheet has even betterqualities:
- twice the ability to withstand temperature extremes;
- higher margin of safety;
- very low porosity.
Due to the latter property, its water absorption is reduced, and the leaf successfully resists the appearance of moss on its surface.
The 30-year durability of unpressed slate increases to 40-45 years.
One of the main disadvantages is the relative fragility of the sheets, which requires increased attention during transportation and installation.
In addition, these include:
- weight of sheets, which makes it impossible to stack them alone;
- the need to cover the cuts with special compounds when processing with cutting tools;
- trend (over time) towards moss.
Necessary protection
To increase the service life and maintain performance, all types of slate need additional coloring. Due to this, over time, the sheets practically do not collapse, the emission of asbestos particles into the air decreases, the level of water absorption decreases, which increases frost resistance, and a barrier is created for the growth of lichens and mosses.
Asbestos-cement sheet (slate) is treated with special acrylic paints. They not only create a protective film on its surface, due to which the service life is increased by 2 times, but also give it an aesthetic appearance.
Mounting Features
Before you start laying slate on the roofor produce wall sheathing, you need to purchase a respirator. It will prevent the inhalation of dust that is generated when cutting sheets.
You should also know that all cuts must be treated with acrylic paint at once.
Before installation, asbestos-cement sheets are examined, sorting out broken and chipped ones.
Nails used for fastening sheets must be provided with a galvanized cap and a rubber washer. You can't hit them right away. First, holes must be drilled in the slate for them, and then carefully begin the fastening process with a hammer.
During the laying process, in order not to damage the sheets, you can not walk on them. To move, you must use special ladders or footbridges.
If you follow the above recommendations, it will be much easier to install asbestos-cement sheets. We hope you find our tips useful.
