Copper Slating Nails
Copper slating nails are the most common fastener for installing slate roofs
Whether you are a 2nd generation slate roofer (aka ‘slater’) or just getting started on a roof repair or replacement project, this page will help set you up for success! Slate roofs have been installed all over the world for centuries. Simply stated they are the best and most beautiful. A natural slate roof is the most cost-efficient roofing material when amortized over its life expectancy.
We are dedicated to making sure that your new or existing slate roof lives up to its promise.
Thickness and Weights
SLATE THICKNESS and WEIGHTS
Thickness
Approximate Weight Pounds per square at 3” headlap
3/16"
700
3/16" –...
3 Things to Consider When Repairing an Existing Slate Roof
Let us help identify the proper Color, Size & Thickness to help find a match!
Snow Guards & Retention Systems
Snow guards and rail retention systems are used to keep snow on the roof and prevent it from sliding off and damaging gutters, landscaping and pedestrians due to...
Standard Sizes
Natural Slate Sizes, Pieces per Square, Exposure and Weight per Square
FAQ Quick Support Guide
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Where to buy slate roof tiles?
North Country Slate was established in 1990 and shortly thereafter became one of North America’s largest distributors. In addition to the Canadian Unfading Black slate, North Country Slate partners with select quarries in the New York / Vermont slate valley region to help with distribution and technical support expertise. USA slate quarries produce colors such as red, green, gray/black, purple, mottled purple and unfading gray. North Country Slate maintains significant inventory of all its North American produced slate colors for quick ship options.
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What information do I need to provide to get a slate quote?
You will need to provide an approximate roof area measurement. The desired color(s), size of slate and thickness. Providing the linear feet of eave and / or hip & ridge for the purpose of calculating starter and hip/ridge slate is also beneficial.
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How is slate ordered? By bundle, pallet, piece?
Roofing slate can be purchased by piece or by roofing square. One roofing square covers 100 square feet of roof area. When inquiring about slate, it is beneficial to know what color(s), weathering characteristic (unfading or semi-weathering) and if possible the size of slate (length, width, thickness). Slate can be ordered in multiple colors and can be graduated with different slate sizes and thicknesses. Shipping logistics are also important and should be discussed at time of order placement.
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What type of stone is slate?
Natural slate roofing is fine-grained metamorphic rock formed 400 million to 550 million years ago. The chemical and mineral composition of the slate produces its various colors. For instance, carbon produces gray and black slates, hematite and iron oxide produces reds, chlorite produces green, and hematite produces purple slates. A slate that weathers is due to the presence of calcite and iron compounds.
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What do they mean by slate exposure?
The exposure of a slate refers to the part of the slate that is visible after it is lapped by the course above. To determine the exposure, you take the slate’s length, less the headlap and divided by two. This will provide you with the proper exposure measurement. For example, a 20” length – 3” standard headlap = 17” divided by 2 = 8.5” of exposure.
Starter Slate Size Chart
Starter course slates are installed horizontally (long sides parallel to the eave) with the bevel edge down.
Starter Length: Field slate exposure plus headlap, rounded up to the nearest inch
Starter Width: Double the field slate width