The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing and Restoring the World's Finest Roof (The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Joseph Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

The award-winning Slate Roof Bible, 2nd edition, has over 350 color photographs of slate and slate roofs from around the world, and a total of over 600 photos, illustrations, graphs, charts, diagrams, maps, etc. Jenkins' down-home style converts potentially tedious subjects like slate geology, roof safety, tools, installation, and repairs into readable delights. The book covers slate roofing history, culture and geology, along with complete descriptions and sources of tools, equipment and types and colors of slate, and comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on every aspect of slate roof installation, repair, restoration and recycling. It also includes sections on rebuilding chimneys, on soldered seam copper roofs, and on repair and restoration of ceramic tile and asbestos tile roofs. It is the culmination of 10 years of research and world-wide travel by the author.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Full of history, lore, and useful advice, Jenkins has written a fascinating book, spiced with humor and warmed with passion" -- Doylestown Intelligencer Record (Philadelphia)

"If you could earn a doctorate in slate roof, this book is probably the only book you'd need." -- Lancaster Farming News, December 2003

"Jenkins has provided the roofing community with a definitive, single-source manual for slate roofing." -- RCI (Roof Consultants Institute) Interface, September, 2001

"Jenkins tells his tale with pizazz and rollicking humor..." -- Boston Sunday Globe

"The Slate Roof Bible is a fine book, filled with fascinating information about slate..." -- Fine Homebuilding, July 1998

From the Publisher

Few roofing books are described by professional reviewers as "fascinating," "a delight," and "simply enjoyable." Perhaps the Slate Roof Bible has caught the eye of readers like no other because of Joseph Jenkins' personal knowledge and enthusiasm regarding slate roofs, not to mention his "down-home" writing style. Some say that America's renewing interest in "the world's finest roof" is now due, in part, to The Slate Roof Bible. As construction trends turn toward "greener" buildings, stone roofs will certainly only grow in popularity. Knowledge of the natural beauty and fantastic success of slate roofing systems is only a book away from thousands of readers. With 10,000 copies of the first edition of The Slate Roof Bible already in circulation on three continents, we at Jenkins Publishing are now proud to announce:

The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition, Completely Revised, Expanded and Updated!
Understanding, Installing, and Restoring the World's Finest Roof

What's new in the second edition? The original book was 287 pages; the second edition, despite serious space saving efforts, will total about 320 pages. The original 2 part book is now a 3 part book: Understanding Slate Roofs, Installing Slate Roofs, and Restoring Slate Roofs. The book will have 21 chapters instead of the original 15. New chapters include European Slating Methods, International Roof Slate, Roof Inscriptions and Designs, plus separate chapters for Flashing, for Recycling Slate Roofs, for Chimneys, and for Valleys, and an additional catch-all chapter for miscellaneous roofing systems often associated with slate roofs (such as soldered-seam copper roofs and ceramic tile roofs). You will now find illustrated sections on eyebrow dormers, rounded valleys, turrets, and other interesting roof details unique to slate roofs. You will also find approximately 361 photographs (195 in the 1st edition) and over 229 illustrations (175 in the 1st edition) adorning our new book, including a host of step-by-step installation, maintenance, repair and restoration drawings, as well as many photos showing the inimitable beauty that only a slate roof can display. And best of all, the entire book is printed in color. You can't do justice to slate roofs in black and white!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Joseph Jenkins, Inc.; 2 edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964425815
• ISBN-13: 978-0964425811
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Roofing

More About the Author

Jenkins lives in the rural countryside of Pennsylvania, USA, with a few cats, some chickens and ducks, a dog and whatever friends and/or family members happen to be home at the time. His speaking schedule can be viewed at http://josephjenkins.com/speaking_engagements.htm.

He began self-publishing in 1994. His three titles include: The Humanure Handbook; The Slate Roof Bible; and Balance Point.

The Humanure Handbook has been recognized in the Benjamin Franklin Awards, Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, Independent Publisher Awards (where it was deemed "Outstanding Book of the Year, Most Likely to Save the Planet"), and the Three Rivers Environmental Awards, and has twice been a category bestseller on Amazon.com. Jenkins has worked in Mongolia and Haiti teaching humanure composting. He also speaks on the topic worldwide. More information can be seen at humanurehandbook.com.

The Slate Roof Bible was awarded the prestigious Gold Circle Award by the National Roofing Contractors Association, as well as the Writer's Notes Book Award, and has been recognized in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, the Independent Publisher Awards and the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards. It has also been an Amazon.com #1 category bestseller. Jenkins is Executive Director of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America, Inc., a non-profit trade association. He also speaks on the topic of slate roofs world-wide. More information can be seen at slateexperts.com.

Balance Point, addresses the predicted worldwide global ecological collapse scientists say will occur in 20-40 years.

Please visit the author's web sites at josephjenkins.com, slateroofcentral.com, slateroofwarehouse.com, slateexperts.com, traditionalroofing.com, humanurestore.com and humanurehandbook.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative book on the subject, April 3, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing and Restoring the World's Finest Roof (The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition) (Paperback)

A complete education about slate roofs is the only description that seems appropriate for this book. "The Slate Roof Bible" not only covers the various types of slate, installation techniques, and other items you would expect but also the history of slate roofing, slate quarrying, and other information. With photographs or illustrations on almost every page it is easy to understand the techniques as well as everything else discussed. With the knowledge in this book you can easily create the impression of being an authority on slate and slate roofs. "The Slate Roof Bible" is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who wants to gain a thorough education on slate and slate roofs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Joe Jenkins' love of slate is contagious!, November 15, 2000

By 

Dean Bredenbeck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible (Paperback)

This book is a tremendous resource on the benefits of slate and why it creates a beautiful roof. The color photographs alone make it clear why all hard slate roofs should be maintained as local/regional treasures. After reading "The Slate Roof Bible" the roof moves to the foreground whenever evaluating a building's appearance. Unfortunately too few understand the long-term asthetic and function of slate roofs, and many beautiful older homes have been downgraded with installation of asphalt roofs. This fine book not only covers all aspects of slate roof installation and maintenance, but also provides help on other projects (gutters, chimneys, etc) while you're up there :-) Read this book and discover the "secret" of slate...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for slate roof home owners, May 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible (Paperback)

I work for a roofing company that specializes in slate. I can tell you from experience that this book is indeed full of very good tips on preserving what is, imho, the very best roof covering a person can possibly have on his or her home. Mr. Jenkins is absolutely correct in his assertations that bemoan the 'artificial roofing" we tend to use in this country. The history and the tips expressed are an invaluable resource to those of us who appreciate the natural beauty and durability of a slate roof. My commendations on a fine effort.