How is slate roofing made?

The Glendyne quarry that produces our North Country Unfading Black slate uses diamond wire, which is threaded onto a continuous wire loop that is passed round the area of slate to be extracted. Once the block has been wire sawn it is extracted from the rock face using a hydraulic pecker which is split into more manageable sizes. These blocks which can weigh over 5 tonnes are transported to the mill where they are marked by a trained quarry expert who determines the best potential size to be produced. The marked block then goes through the primary and secondary sawing department which cuts the block into more manageable slabs. The slabs then move onto the splitting department where they are split into approximately eight 1 ½’ thicknesses. The slates are then trimmed to the desired final size and the trimming machine removes the sawn edges and creates the bevelled edges. The final stage, the slate goes thru is grading and packing to ensure high quality controls. YOU CAN SEE MORE ABOUT HOW SLATE ROOFING IS MADE HERE.

How roofing slate is produced

By Sheena Owen Sep 18th, 2017

North American natural roofing slate is produced in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Newfoundland and Quebec. Depending on the location of the quarry will determine the color of slate. The Vermont/New York quarries produce a range of colors such as Semi-Weathering Grey/Green, Semi-Weathering Gray, Mottled Gray/Black, Variegated Purple, Vermont Black, Mottled Purple/Green, Unfading Gray, Unfading Green, Unfading Purple and Unfading Red. Pennsylvania is known for their Semi-Weathering Black and Virginia for its Unfading Black slates. Newfoundland is known for its green and purple slates and Quebec is known for its Unfading Black slates.

The Glendyne quarry which produces the North Country Unfading Black roofing slate, is located in St. Marc Du Lac Long, Quebec. Glendyne produces a smooth-textured blue/black slate which is easy to cut and has a consistent color. The first production from this vein of slate occurred in the early 1900’s and was started up again in 1995. Glendyne’s open cut deposit is located along a dark grey slate bed.

The Glendyne quarry is the largest roofing-slate producing facility in North America and one of the largest in the world. Created 500 million years ago, the North Country Unfading Black slate meets or exceeds ASTM requirements of an S-1 rated roofing slate.

Seven steps to producing roofing slate are:

Tracing – One of Glendyne’s unique production process starts with a specially trained expert who marks the stone. During this tracing process, the marker is responsible for carefully examining the slate block and determining what size will be produced. A line marks the stone for the saw operators.

Slate marker employees examine slate block to get maximum yield out of block to produce slate roofing material

Block of stone marked for specific size of roofing slate

Primary Sawing – Using specially designed, high tech equipment, the blocks of slate are cut into strips based on the marker’s indications.

Quarry fork lift bringing slate block into plant for processing into roofing slate

Slate slab entering plant for processing into roofing slate

Secondary Sawing – A second saw then cuts the strips into slabs which are then sent to the splitting department.

Secondary saw at slate plant with long piece to be trimmed to smaller slate pieces

Slate blocks made into manageable pieces to produce roofing slate

Splitting – A splitter is highly trained and skilled to gauge the various thicknesses the quarry produces. The North Country Unfading Black slate can be split from 4mm up to 12mm depending on the order. The standard thickness is 7mm (1/4”).

Preparing blocks to be hand split into ordered roofing slate thickness

Rounding – Once the slates are split, they go thru a trimming process to make the shape and size required. Then onto the punching department for most North American slates. The slate is punched from the back of the slate to produce a countersink nail hole. The nail hole position will vary depending on the length of the slate and based on a 3” headlap.

Sorting – With the various markets worldwide that Glendyne sells to, a sorter will check for thickness and quality. Firsts or number one slates are top quality and the thickness is consistent around each piece of slate. Anything that doesn’t meet this inspection is classified as Rustic or Medium Texture. Medium Texture slates meet the requirements of an ASTM S-1 rated slate, the slates exhibit a range from their targeted nominal ¼” thickness, surface texture and planarity, providing more definition in the appearance of the roof. Medium texture slates are

Slate quarry employee punching nail holes for roofing slates

available on a first-come, first serve basis when in stock.

Slate quarry quality control department to ensure even thickness around slate pieces

Packaging – The North Country Unfading Black slate is packaged in heavy-duty heat treated wood pallets which are

Heat treated wood export pallet for roofing slate.

designed to be double stacked if necessary.

For a list of colors and sizes please call Toll Free 1-800-975-2835.

By Sheena Owen Sep 18th, 2017

Sheena Owen

Sheena Owen began working for North Country Slate on October 12, 1999. Started as the Sales Coordinator and transitioned to a Sales Representative. Daily duties include providing customer service, new business development, inside sales, handling all cross-border customs issues/documentation, arranging shipments, health and safety representation and social media marketing. Sheena graduated from the University of Guelph in 1992 with a BA in English and Drama and in 1995 graduated with a Diploma in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Centennial College. Sheena’s first job was the Executive Producer’s Assistant for TV shows including Robocop, F/X The Series and Nikita. She went on to becoming an Assistant Manager at Eddie Bauer. In her spare time, Sheena enjoys traveling, gardening and hikes with family and friends.

FAQs

How is slate roofing made?

The Glendyne quarry that produces our North Country Unfading Black slate uses diamond wire, which is threaded onto a continuous wire loop that is passed round the area of slate to be extracted. Once the block has been wire sawn it is extracted from the rock face using a hydraulic pecker which is split into more manageable sizes. These blocks which can weigh over 5 tonnes are transported to the mill where they are marked by a trained quarry expert who determines the best potential size to be produced. The marked block then goes through the primary and secondary sawing department which cuts the block into more manageable slabs. The slabs then move onto the splitting department where they are split into approximately eight 1 ½’ thicknesses. The slates are then trimmed to the desired final size and the trimming machine removes the sawn edges and creates the bevelled edges. The final stage, the slate goes thru is grading and packing to ensure high quality controls. YOU CAN SEE MORE ABOUT HOW SLATE ROOFING IS MADE HERE.