Meaning
A craftsman who laid slate tiles on roofs to make them weatherproof.
Description
Slaters fixed slate tiles to roof timbers using nails and traditional techniques to produce durable and weatherproof roof coverings. The trade required skill in working at height and knowledge of how to lay slates in overlapping courses to shed water. Slate was quarried primarily in Wales and the Lake District and transported by sea and later by rail to building sites throughout Britain. The Victorian era saw enormous demand for slate roofing as the new railways made Welsh slate available nationwide and it replaced thatch and clay tile in many areas. Many slaters also worked as tilers.
Also Known As
Tile Layer, Roof Slater, Tiler
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Trade Directories
- Apprenticeship Records
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