Roofing

Sarking

Sarking is boarding or sheet material laid over roof rafters beneath the outer roof covering to form a supporting layer.

Traditional Scottish slate roofs often use timber sarking boards as the surface to which slates are fixed. The arrangement differs from roof systems where battens carry the covering.

In an Edinburgh roof repair, slipped slates may be the visible problem while old fixings or deteriorated sarking affect how securely replacement slates can be attached. The underside can sometimes be inspected from the roof void.

If a roof is opened up, assess the boards, rafters and weathering details together. Replacing sound historic material without understanding the construction can make a local repair larger than necessary.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Georgian Flat Converted Flat

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