A slater is a mason who works exclusively with slate. This natural stone material has been used as a roofing or flooring material for centuries, and it can also be used as a wall cladding or siding material. Slate work is generally left to experienced and skilled professionals due to the high cost of slate and the difficulty of working with this material. Slate is a natural stone that can be difficult to shape into attractive, usable pieces for those who are unfamiliar with it. A slater can be hired to design and install a new slate surface, as well as troubleshoot and maintain a current roof, floor, or patio.
The majority of people who want to work with slate will start out in a masonry job. This could be due to the fact that masonry jobs are easier to come by than slate jobs. It could also be due to the difficulty of working with slate and the necessity of practicing on less difficult materials first. Some trade schools, guilds, and apprentice programs may also provide training for aspiring slaters. Slaters typically complete training on the job to gain the majority of their experience with this material, regardless of previous training or experience in other trades.
A slater may find it difficult to find enough work to keep busy in many areas. Those interested in the slate industry will have the best luck in areas where slate construction is or was once popular. This includes much of Europe, particularly England, and the New England states of the United States (US), where historic preservation projects necessitate the services of experienced slaters. Slaters can help market their services by emphasizing the long life of slate, as well as the cost and difficulty of doing this work on your own. The use of recycled and repurposed slate tiles can also help to appeal to the green market.
Before beginning a new project, the slater will usually meet with the homeowner to discuss the project’s costs. He may take samples or photographs in order to match the slate that is already in place. To find a specific color or style of this stone, he may have to visit several quarries. Before installing each tile or shingle in its new location, he shapes it to the desired shape and size.
Four basic tools, as well as a few specialty tools, are used by the slater. To make nail holes in the stone or trim the edges of a piece of slate, every slater uses a punch. To drive nails or split tiles, they use a forged steel hammer, and to remove unwanted tiles, they use a ripper, or pry bar. Finally, when cutting or laying tiles, the slater uses a metal stake as a straight edge to create smooth, even lines and edges.