ABOUT NATURAL SLATES

Natural slate is derived from fine-grained sand-free clay sediments. Natural slate has characteristic cleavage planes which were produced when the clay was metamorphosed; they frequently do not relate to the original bedding planes. Natural slate can be split into thin section (typically 4-10 mm for roofing slates) giving a natural riven finish. Natural slate may also be sawn, sanded, fine rubbed, honed, polished, flame textured or bush hammered.

Natural slate is available in a wide range of colours, including blue/grey, silver grey and green natural slate from the Lake District; blue, green grey and plum red natural slate from North Wales; and grey natural slate from Cornwall. Slate is imported from Ireland (grey/green), Canada (blue/grey), France (blue/grey) and Spain (blue/black). Spain is the world's largest producer of natural slates.

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Slate is strong and resistant to acid and frost. It lasts up to 400 years as a roofing material. The minimum recommended pitch for a natural slate roof is 20 degrees under sheltered or moderate exposure and 22.5 degrees under severe weather exposure. Fixing nails should be of copper or aluminium.

Natural slate is also used for flooring, cladding, copings, cills and stair treads. When used as a cladding material natural slate should be fixed with non-ferrous fixings or cast directly onto concrete cladding units.

LEADING UK NATURAL SLATE SUPPLIERS

Click here for an easy-to-use listing of leading UK suppliers of natural slates, provided by Archbone.

Other useful links relevant to natural slates and natural slate suppliers:

National Federation of Roofing Contractors
Quarry Products Association

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON NATURAL SLATES

We recommend the following websites, with building product information including manufacturers' specs, standard specifications, and CAD details: Barbour Compendium at www.barbourcompendium.co.uk, RIBA Product Selector Plus at ww.productselector.co.uk, ASC Bricsnet at www.ascinfo.co.uk, Building Products Index at www.bpindex.co.uk, British Board of Agrément at www.bbacerts.co.uk, British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.