Does anyone have any input on the Truslate 2.0 system sold by Elk? I`m considering it for my roof but am a little leery of putting so much faith in the plastic (sorry, I mean Polymer) overlap piece. They claim 100+ year life but, how do they really know? Thanks for any help.
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The slate serves as a veneer for the underlayment and hook system they utilize.
Most quality roofers I know wouldn't use it,but perhaps being from the Old School has it's drawbacks.
I watched an installation this summer. I kind of like the concept from an installer's point of view, but there's certain slate applications that can't be done with it. My first question about it is - What happened to Truslate 1.0 and is 3.0 in the works? I'm sure it's expensive and I'd hate to be a guinea pig.
"Let's go to Memphis in the meantime, baby" - John Hiatt.
http://grantlogan.net/
Since you saw an installation, were the clips really invisible? I don`t see how they can be, seeing as how they hold the slate from underneath and that`s exactly the angle a person on the ground would view them from. I`m not as concerned about the clips as I am the polymer overlap sheet. If that puppy doesn`t hold up as claimed, there`s a disaster just waiting. What are you supposed to do, take the tile off and re-install a new sheet of plastic? Yeah, right! They make it sound like the sheet is covered 100% but at each tile joint there has to be clearance, even if it`s minimal. And the sun will take it`s toll eventually. What am I missing?
Then again, what about the polymer shakes and slates they are currently making. How long are they supposed to last? I`ve pretty much ruled out concrete tile. I looked at lightweight clay tile but they don`t really look much like shakes, at least I don`t think so. I`m running out of options. I don`t care for the look of most of the fiberglass/asphalt shingles I`ve seen. Haven`t gotten too far into tin, but I`ve seen quite a few peeling tin roofs in my area and that doesn`t inspire confidence. Luckily, I don`t have to decide for a while.
It's the sheathing underlayment and the polymer strips which are supposed to keep the water at bay.
The slate is only for appearance. The hooks are visible but from a distance they tend to blend in.
Have you thought of a natural slate for the roof-either newly quarried or recycled?
I got a price on "used" slate about a year ago (still had about 400 years left on it, according to the salesman) and the cost was just unbelievable. So, pretty much ruled that out. I still live on planet earth ya` know. The Truslate seemed appealing because of the possible cost savings and the weight factor. I designed and engineered this roof and I`m neither. That said, I do have confidence that it will take the weight. It`s the time under load factor that makes me a little hinkie. So, with that in mind, I`d like to keep the weight to a minimum if possible. There are so many houses that have the sagging ridge line (both new and old!) I just don`t want to build yet another one. And I like the once and done idea. I currently live in a house that has about a 7:12 roof, full cut 2x8, toenailed and birdmouthed, no ridge board, and spaced sheathing boards (look like scrap tongue and groove 1x4) and slate on top. House is 66 years old and roof hardly sags at all. I can see light through everywhere in the attic, but only drips a little when the rain blows hard. Other than that it`s always dry. It amazes me, it looks so under-engineered but it works.
>>>>>>>>were the clips really invisible?I couldn't see them, but the house was tall and I didn't get that close. It was an evil competitor doing the work. Most of the competition would let me up on their scaffold to watch, but these guys don't play well with others.My concern as I've noted on this forum many times in the past, is how long will any of these plastics/rubbers/polymers stand up to UV rays in the long run. A lot of the rubber slate companies have come and gone, and none have been making their product for more than a 10th of what they warrant it for. If I had to install some fake slate, I'd be most comfortable with Ecostar or Tamko Lamarite, but not I'm not completely comfortable with the whole concept.
"Let's go to Memphis in the meantime, baby" - John Hiatt.
http://grantlogan.net/
I`ve checked out Lamarite shakes but not Ecostar. I e-mailed Enviroshake but have gotten no response. They`re in Ontario I think. Like you, I`m on the fence about taking that leap of faith in a lot of these un-proven products. Nothing is forever, but some things are close enough for practical purposes. I guess everyone draws that line at a different place, eh? Thanks for the input. I`ll check out Ecostar.
Sorry, no information on that. But I was at a green building conference and saw a slate product (I think made from rubber) made by Ecostar that you might want to look at. It seems interesting, and might be an alternative.
Thanks for your help.
Edited 10/24/2006 1:34 am by SBerruezo