The term unfading refers to natural slates weathering characteristics when exposed to the elements. Slates can either be designated as Unfading or Semi-Weathering, with unfading slate being least likely to fade over time.
North Country Unfading Black is a premium natural roofing slate renowned for its smooth, elegant texture and deep charcoal tones. As the exclusive North American distributor for the Glendyne quarry – the largest of its kind on the continent – North Country Slate provides a material that is as historically significant as it is technically superior.
Aesthetic & Color Profile
Favored by architects for its prestigious appearance, Unfading Black is the definitive choice for both modern custom homes and high-profile historic restorations.
- Primary Hue: Rich, deep charcoal tones with a slight natural luster.
- Color Permanence: A true “unfading” slate that maintains its original color for the life of the roof, resisting the oxidation and browning seen in weathering varieties.
- Historic Matching: Serves as an exceptional architectural match for the legendary, now-scarce slates traditionally sourced from Pennsylvania and Maine.
Unrivaled Geological Performance
Produced in Saint-Marc-du-Lac-Long, Quebec, this slate is a hallmark of structural excellence and international quality standards.
- ASTM S-1 Rating: Consistently achieves the highest classification for density and longevity.
- Century-Long Durability: Offers a proven service life that often exceeds 100 years.
- Environmental Resilience: Engineered by nature to provide maximum resistance to water absorption, fire, and the damaging effects of freeze-thaw cycles.
A Partnership for the Ages
The legacy of this stone is backed by a historic collaboration that ensures quality and availability across the continent.
- Exclusive Distribution: Since 1997, North Country Slate has held the exclusive rights to Glendyne’s Unfading Black slate in North America.
- Rigorous Standards: Every shingle is the result of a partnership dedicated to providing a “gold standard” material that meets the most demanding international testing requirements.
- The Professional Edge: When you specify North Country Unfading Black, you are choosing a material with a deep-rooted history, a smooth-textured finish, and a 100-year architectural legacy.
FAQs
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What does “Unfading” mean?
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Where is North Country Unfading Black produced?
North Country Unfading Black is produced by Glendyne Inc. in Saint-Marc-du-Lac-Long, Quebec, Canada. It is the largest producer of roofing slate in North America.
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Is this an S-1 slate?
Yes, North Country Unfading Black meets the S-1 classification for ASTM C406/C406M-15, Standard Specification for roofing slate. Testing is completed annually to ensure all current requirements are met by ASTM International (ASTM), formerly American Society for Testing and Materials.
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Is this the best color match to a Pennsylvania Black or Pennsylvania Gray slate?
North Country Unfading Black slate is frequently installed on historic restoration projects where the discontinued Peach Bottom, Lehigh, and Northampton counties in Eastern Pennsylvania slates were the benchmark. Its smooth textured qualities and consistent unfading black, blue/black or cathedral gray tones make it an excellent match. Over the years North Country Unfading Black has been recognized with many historic preservation awards as an approved “match existing” slate to Pennsylvania, Monson and Buckingham slate colors.
Glendyne roofing slate is recognized worldwide achieving the highest standards of testing throughout North America; ASTM C406/C406M-10, and Europe; CE (Conformity European) BS EN 123261: 2004 (British Standard European Norm) Classification A1, T1, S1, NF (Norm Francais) NF 228 and ATG (Belgium Standard) STS 34.03.6.
Tour the Glendyne Quarry and find out how roofing slate is made