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What are slate roof tiles

What are slate roof tiles?

By     Jan 10th, 2018
04

Slate roof tiles are made of metamorphic rocks which are derived from sedimentary rock of volcanic ash and clay. The mineral composition of slate will determine the color and weathering properties. Hematite produces purple tones and chlorite produces green.  Black and gray colors are created by carbon.  The presence of iron compounds, primarily fine grained iron pyrite, can lead to the “weathering” of these original colors to tones of buff and brown in various percentages. This characteristic produces the “semi-weathering” or “weathering” designations of slates and has lead to the development of commercial color descriptions Unfading Black, Semi-Weathering Black, Semi-Weathering Grey/Black, Unfading Green, Semi-Weathering Green to signify the color stability of slate from a given source.

Roofing slate quarry benches for producing roofing slate tiles
Unfading Black slate quarry
Slate quarry employees showing how they mark the stone to find the right size to cut in the plant
Slate quarry employees showing how they mark the stone
Employee preparing the slate blocks to be sent to the splitting department
Employee preparing the slate blocks to be sent to the splitting department
Employee sorting thru the various slate roof tile thicknesses
Employee sorting thru the various slate roof tile thicknesses

Slate roof tiles are one of the oldest roofing materials and have been used for centuries. Slate is a long lasting product depending on the quarry.  Known as the hundred year old roof, slate roof tiles are durable, fireproof, waterproof and no two pieces are alike because it’s a natural product.  Because of its quality and longevity, it’s also one of the more expensive roofing products in the market. Some refer to slate roof tiles as the Rolls Royce in roofing productions.

Old slate roof, still protecting the house
Old slate roof tiles, well over 100 years still functioning and protecting the house.
New slate roof tiles installed on custom home
New slate roof tiles installed on custom home

Slate roof tiles are available in a wide variety of sizes from 24” length x 12” wide to as small as 12” length x 6” wide. Each piece is split by hand and depending on the quarry, slate roof tiles can be split 3/6” thick to ¾” thick.  The standard thickness is ¼”-3/8”.  Thicker slates are available on special order allowing for the design of a truly unique, “one of a kind” roof.

By     Jan 10th, 2018
04

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.
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4 Comments

  • Posted on 20-02-2019 by Sheena Owen

    Thanks for your comments Paul.

  • Posted on 18-02-2019 by Paul Monteith

    A proper slate roof won’t ever need to be replaced in your lifetime or your grandchildren’s lifetime. They are quite expensive but well worth the money if you have it.

  • Posted on 16-10-2018 by Sheena Owen

    Thank you Nicolette for reading our blog. Glad you found in informative.

  • Posted on 16-10-2018 by Nicolette

    Wonderful post! I really enjoyed it. You did a terrific job explaining slate tiles and how they can enhance your home. I was looking for some advice on how to use slate tiles for my home and came across this article – https://housetipster.com/housetips/9131/advantages-of-slate-roofing-tiles
    It fully explains the benefits of using slate roofing tiles!