Natural slate has been used for roofing in Britain for centuries. During the Industrial Revolution, demand for Welsh slate grew rapidly as it was used to roof homes, factories, churches and public buildings across Britain and overseas. It remains an important part of our architectural heritage, contributing to the distinctive appearance of many towns and villages.
Slate can be split into thin sheets while retaining its strength, making good-quality material a durable roof covering. Well-known Welsh varieties include Penrhyn, Ffestiniog and Cwt-y-Bugail, each with its own distinctive colour and texture. From Cumbria, Westmorland Green and Burlington Blue Grey slates also have a long tradition of use on British buildings.
Carefully selected reclaimed roofing slates offer an established appearance for period properties, repairs and restoration projects. They can also bring traditional character to extensions and new builds, while giving usable materials a new purpose.
We stock reclaimed Welsh, Westmorland and Burlington slate.
For newer projects, we generally recommend Spanish slate. Not only is Spanish slate in keeping with newer projects, but it is also high-quality and cost-effective, and constitutes up to 90% of Europe’s slate buildings.
