The fence around the house with the site involves the use of durable and at the same time aesthetically pleasing materials. Depending on the operating conditions, certain characteristics can be sacrificed, while others, on the contrary, can be strengthened. Brick is considered the most reliable option, but its cost limits the possibilities for use. On the other hand, the netting is the most affordable solution, but it does not provide a visual barrier. In this context, a slate fence, the photo of which is presented below, can be considered as the best option both in terms of technical and operational qualities and price.
What slate is suitable for the fence?
Traditionally, slate is made on the basis of a mixture of asbestos and cement mass. Such material is suitable for roofing and for fence. Modern modifications of slate include the use of other compositions. For example, from bitumen. But such sheets are not so practical and more expensive. Therefore, the best option is a slate fence on an asbestos-cement basis. You should also pay attention to the form of release. There are two varieties - flat and wavy material. Theoretically, both options are suitable, but the first will take up less space. In addition, it is more conveniently mounted. In this case, the characteristics of the structure are taken into account.
Pay attention to the density, thickness and, of course, the dimensions of the sheet along the length and width. These parameters are selected individually depending on specific requirements. But there are universal qualities that in any case will not be superfluous. In particular, a slate fence may have different moisture and frost resistance indicators. The higher these ratios, the more durable the fence will be.
The foundation for the fence in the form of a strip foundation
The technology for creating such a foundation is implemented in the same way as in the case of an ordinary house. Only the parameters of the strip foundation will be different. In addition, it is important to foresee metal poles on which slate sheets will stand. Work begins with marking the place where the fence line will go. Then a trench is formed, and pits for supporting elements are created in it. In the question of how to make a fence from slate with your own hands, an important place is occupied by the correct ratio of the power qualities of the base and the mass of the sheets to be installed.
In the case of using massive and heavy slate, a foundation should be made at least 20 cm wide. It should also be reinforced with metal rods. In the arranged trench, formwork is created, after which reinforcing rods are laid in the amount of two parallel elements. In the pits with a spacing of 1.5-2 m from each other, support posts are placed. At the final stage, pouring is carried out, the polymerization period of which is about 10 days.
Pillar base
This is a simplified version of creating a base on which slate will be attached in the future. The marking of the passage of the future fence is also carried out, along which pits are formed already with indents of 1 m. As pillars, you can use a rectangular closed or square profile. By the way, when purchasing material, it is important to consider not only the cost of installing the posts, but also the creation of reinforcing ribs that will run along the fence, linking the base posts. If a fence is made from slate with your own hands, then you should provide a special tool for cutting the profile in accordance with the design parameters. The direct work on the arrangement of the pillars is reduced to the installation of supports in the created pits and their further pouring with concrete.
Flat slate mounting
The fastening of flat sheets is advantageous in that it can be carried out without fixing hardware. However, for this installation method, a double row of metal frames running along the guard strip in the center of the sheets will be required. That is, a locking supporting structure is formed, due to which the panels are clamped on both sides by metal ribs. You can fix the fence from a flat slate with your own hands using self-tapping screws. But this will require the initial fastening of wooden logs to the columns. Further, the hardware cuts into the wood at the place of passage of the fence with indents of 0.5-1 m. This system is less reliable, but if it is necessary to dismantle or replace the damaged area, repair will be easier to perform. It is enough to unscrew the screws and remove the sheet, after which to install a new element in its place, also fixing it with a hardware.
Wavy Slate Installation
From the point of view of strength, this sheet loses to its flat counterpart - the most unreliable places just fall on the attachment points. A fence made of wave slate is installed only with the help of wooden logs through self-tapping screws. It is important that the hardware is provided with a rubber gasket and a press washer, which will protect the material from damage. The tie-in points should be on a hill, and the holes should be drilled initially.
When overlaying sheets, the installation of the first element is of great importance. It is desirable to fix it with a level. Then the next panel is applied with such an overlap so that both parts can subsequently be captured by one self-tapping screw. When calculating how to make a fence from slate, it is necessary to correctly determine the number of fasteners used. It would seem that the more of them, the better. But the abundance of holes with attachment points is not always beneficial. It is important to keep a balance. The optimal frequency of fasteners is two parallel rows of screws with gaps of 50 cm.
Design refinement
If the range of strength characteristics of modern slate allows you to find a modification for the construction of a reliable fence, then with decorative qualities things are not so simple. Of course, the manufacturers themselves have long been not limited to the release of "bare" sheets of plain gray. But during installation, factory paint may lag behind, and these places will have to be covered with a new composition that will stand out. Therefore, it is worth initially relying on paintwork after installing the entire structure. It is not difficult to paint the fence from slate with your own hands - this is a normal painting operation using a roller or brushes. It is much more important not to miscalculate with the choice of the paint itself. This should be a composition resistant to atmospheric precipitation and mechanical stress.
Benefits of Slate Fence
Unlike metal rolling, slate is completely spared from the risk of corrosion processes and overheating in the sun. Of course, in terms of strength, the comparison will not be in favor of asbestos-cement sheets. But for the requirements for an ordinary private fence, its characteristics will be enough. Also important for the fence of land with plantings is the aspect that the slate fence is not lit, so its base can create a barrier to the flame in a fire. And under the condition of careful operation, the structure can stand for several decades - the material does not deform and does not undergo destruction under the influence of precipitation. True, the protective qualities of slate depend on the specific composition.
Disadvantages of slate fence
One of the main disadvantages of asbestos-concrete slate is the toxicity of its components. Of course, we are talking about minimum indicators, but professional builders still recommend taking this nuance into account when installing the fence. In particular, near such a fence it is undesirable to arrange recreational facilities, playgrounds, as well as to break up beds with agricultural crops. In addition, the slate fence is notable for its considerable weight. Still, the cement base necessitates the installation of a capital base for the installation of load-bearing elements.
Alternative metal profile
One of the direct competitors of asbestos-concrete material from the point of view of application for the fence device is a metal profile. By the way, even in form, it is much like a wavy slate. Only the corrugation in this case is not rounded, but with right angles. It is convenient to mount metal, it is environmentally friendly, but also requires special design and can make a lot of noise when it rains. As for reliability, a fence made of flat slate with a thickness of 6-7 mm is fully consistent with the loads that sheet metal can withstand. But here a lot depends on the nature of mechanical influences. Slate under heavy loads can crack, and then you have to replace the entire panel.
As for metal fences, they retain their general integrity, but much less effort is required for their external deformation in the form of bends and dents. Such damage is not affected by the technical and operational properties, but their appearance can be ruined. In addition, when choosing metal products, the quality of anti-corrosion treatment and the heat resistance of the decorative coating should be taken into account, since not all paint can withstand the heating of iron sheets under a hot sun.