Minimum tile or slate width at a verge

150 mm

All verges on plain tiled, interlocking tiled and slated roofs.

No tile or slate at a verge should be narrower than 150 mm. Use a tile-and-a-half or slate-and-a-half unit rather than cutting a thin sliver at the edge of the roof.

Basis in regulation

BS 5534
Read the source

How to check it on site

Sight along the verge from the ground: narrow cut pieces are obvious against the course above.

Common failure

Thin cut slivers bedded at the verge that crack or blow off in the first exposed winter.

Last updated 23 August 2026. This is our editorial summary of publicly available regulation, not building control approval or a warranty determination.

Related dimensions at this stage

Minimum

Minimum eaves ventilation for pitched roofs

7,000 mm

For specific pitched roof constructions, a minimum continuous eaves ventilation opening of 7000 mm²/m is a common requirement

Minimum

Minimum strap dimensions for holding down

30 mm

A strap used for holding down purposes, particularly in roof structures, must have a minimum cross-section of 30mm x 2.5mm and be at least 1000mm long to effectively resist uplift forces.

Minimum

Equivalent ventilation areas for a cold roof

10,000 mm²/m at pitched eaves; 25,000 mm²/m at low level on flat or shallow roofs; 5,000 mm²/m at the ridge

Cold roof construction with the insulation at ceiling or deck level.

Minimum

Clear air gap above insulation in a cold flat or shallow roof

50 mm

Cold flat roofs and cold roofs pitched below 15 degrees.

Minimum

Ventilated batten space beneath a roof underlay

25 mm

Roofs designed with a ventilated space beneath the underlay, including counter-battened details.

Minimum

Holding-down strap fixing and dimensions

30 mm

Roof holding-down straps should be 30mm x 2.5mm in cross-section and at least 1 metre long