The Slate Roof Bible

Published September 1, 1997, The Slate Roof Bible is the first comprehensive book on the topic of slate roofs since 1926. It contains 200 photos, some in color, and an additional 175 black and white drawings. This two-part book tells you why older slate roofs should be preserved, if they can (and how to determine that), and how to identify the various types of roof slate. It details the history of the slate roofing industry in the United States and in Wales (the Welsh started virtually all the slate quarries in the United States), and explains how the finished roof slates were made. The second half of the book is a detailed, step-by-step repair manual, indicating what tools to use, where to get them, and how to use them. It describes what goes wrong with older slate roofs and how to remedy the problems, and includes chapters on how to safely work on slate roofs, plus complete flashing details, chimney repair and rebuilding, how to install and recycle slate roofs, and more. Written in simple, easy to understand laypersons' terms, this is one book no slate roof owner, architect, historian or contractor should be without.