Ludowici Clay Roof Tiles
In 2024, North Country Slate expanded its premier specialty roofing product offerings and became the exclusive distributor of Ludowici architectural...
Natural Slate Roof Shingles Tiles
Lightweight Slate Roofing
North Country Lightweight Slate Roof System provides a 100% natural slate roof to be installed at a reduced weight. It’s that simple.
Slate Shingle Cladding
Natural slate cladding is an exterior finishing that uses sleek, durable pieces of natural stone to protect and elevate the appearance of building façades.
Slate Shingle Tools & Accessories
Offering a complete supply of specialty slate roofing tools, nails, repair hooks and snow guards for the installation and repair of slate roofs.
The Benefits of Slate Roofing Shingles
A North Country Slate roof is at the top of the list when considering specialty roofing products. Its benefits and aesthetics are endless.
Discover The Durability Of Vermont Roofing Slate
Nestled in the gentle hills of the Temiscouata region in south-eastern Quebec Canada; and in the rolling hills of the Green Mountains of Vermont; lies the finest natural slate deposits found anywhere in the world. As well as producing the most durable slate shingles, these mineral rich deposits also yield a unique color palette found nowhere else on earth. Worked to produce roofing slate tiles for over a hundred years, in many cases by families with generations of experience, the quarries here have a proven track record for quality materials and fabrication that has found markets for their products around the world.
Traditional Roofing Slate Colors
The rich black slates from Quebec Canada are favorably compared to the once famous Monson slates produced in Maine, having a smooth texture and slight luster. Quarried and manufactured by the largest roofing tiles slate producer in North America, these slates, readily available from inventory, are also an excellent quality and color alternative to the best blue black slates ever produced in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
In the United States and Canada, the black slates from this single quarry have been the roof covering of choice for some of the most treasured historic buildings and luxury custom homes in North America. They have also earned global respect and are exported to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and elsewhere around the world.
The well-established quarries of Vermont produce the traditional North American colored roofing tile slates for sale in greens, grays, purples, mottled purples, blacks, gray/blacks and reds. In many cases, these colored slates are available with both unfading and weathering color characteristics.
Vermont slates have been used extensively on college campuses, government buildings, houses of worship, in residential neighborhoods and on the most magnificent homes across the continent for over a hundred years. They have no equal in the world for quality, color, and longevity and have earned the respect of the global market as well.
These two prolific slate regions produce natural roofing slate tiles for sale with no equal and without compromise!
Natural Slate vs. Clay Tile
| Criteria | North Country Natural Slate | Ludowici Clay Tile |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 75 Years | 75 Years |
| Average Lifespan | 75+ Years | 75+ Years |
| General Attributes | Traditional, Durable, Longest lifespan, readily available from stock, eco-friendly, natural product | Warranty includes color, decorative product, highly customizable, 100% made in USA, many profiles available |
| Available Colors | Black, Greens, Grays, Red, Purples & Mottled Varieties | 50 Standard plus custom color development |
| Color Last | Available in both Unfading & Semi-Weathering natural weathering characteristics | Extensively Customizable (clay tiles can be glazed to suit desired look) |
| Customizable | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance | Minimal to None | Minimal to None |
| Installation Restrictions | None | None |
| Weight per Square | Varies (Lightweight options available) | Varies (Lightweight options available) |
| Lead Times | Available from stock | Varies (some quick ship stock options available) |
| Made in North America | Exclusively | Exclusively |
| Fire Resistant | Yes (Class A) | Yes (Class A) |
| Water Absorption Rate | 0.25% or less (ASTM S-1 Rated) | <1% (ASTM Grade 1) |
| Hail Impact Rating | Class 3 & 4 | Class 3 & 4 |
| Environmentally Safe | Yes (100% Natural Product) | Yes (Possible Color Glazing Applied) |
Canadian Case Studies
Glanmore Historic Museum – Belleville, ON
A beautifully preserved 19th-century historic house that gives visitors a window into Victorian life. Construction took place in 1882-1883 for wealthy banker John Philpot Curran Phillips and his wife Harriet, it served as their family residence for nearly 90 years before being designated as a National Historic Site in 1969 for its outstanding Second Empire architecture and opening as a museum for the community in 1973 after being acquired by the City of Belleville.
The elegant yellow-brick mansion is capped with a distinctive mansard slate roof, a traditional roofing material prized for its durability and beauty. Slate is a natural metamorphic rock formed over hundreds of millions of years and has been in used in roofing for thousands of years, lasting well over a century with minimal maintenance. North Country Slate supplied the material for the re-roofing project on this historic building in North Country Unfading Black 16” x 8” x ¼” and supplied the colored slates including Unfading Red and Unfading Green for the pattern. It is anticipated that will a newly supplied natural slate roof, the lifespan for this roof is at least another 100+ years.
Broadview Hotel – Toronto, ON
The Broadview Hotel in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood is a striking Romanesque Revival landmark built in 1891-1893 as Dingman’s Hall, a commercial and social hub with retail, offices, and meeting halls. Converted into the Broadview Hotel in 1907, the building was purchased in 2014 and restored and revitalized, reopening in 2017 as a 58-roof boutique hotel with restaurants, event spaces, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. As part of this restoration project, the building features a North Country Slate roof, adorning North Country Unfading Black in 18” x 10” x ¼” – a premium roofing material. Natural slate has been used for centuries on historic and prominent structures because it has proven to last well over 100 years with minimal maintenance, Class A fire resistance, 0.25% water absorption rates, giving both aesthetic distinction and long-term protection to historic landmarks such as this one.
Toronto’s First Post Office – Toronto, ON
Toronto’s First Post Office, constructed in 1833-1834 at 260 Adelaide St East, is the oldest surviving purpose-built post office in Canada and originally served as both the local post office and the residence of Postmaster James Scott Howard at a time when the City of Toronto was then called “York”. The building has gone through several incarnations including, part of a Roman Catholic boys’ school and even a cold storage building, before being threatened with demolition in the 1970s. It was ultimately restored and reopened in 1983 as a National Historic Site and working Canada Post outlet. Today, visitors can explore exhibits about early communication and postal history while experiencing a piece of Toronto’s 19th century past.
The building features a North Country mansard slate roof, in North Country Unfading Black 18” x 9” x ¼” – a roof built to last well over a century. A Canadian historic site deserves to be protected by a Canadian quarried roofing material, such as North Country Unfading Black.
Gabriola Mansion – Vancouver, BC
Built between 1900 and 1901 for Benjamin Tingley Rogers of the BC Sugar Refinery, Gabriola Mansion in Vancouver’s West End was originally a lavish private residence and one of the grandest homes in the city. After the family moved to a larger estate4 in 1918, the mansion was transformed into the Angus Apartments in the 1920s and later housed upscale restaurants such as Hy’s Mansion. Today, it is being restored and converted into market-rental units while also being a historic landmark in the city. The mansion’s roof is adorned with North Country Slate premium roofing slates in Semi-Weathering Green in 18” x 12” x ¼-3/8” – a roofing material that is prized not only in Canada by worldwide for its exceptional longevity (often 75-150+ years), timeless aesthetic, fire & wind resistance, making slate a preferred choice for heritage and high-end buildings across Canada.
St. Dustan’s Basilica Rectory – Charlottetown, PEI
St. Dustan’s Basilica Rectory is a historic late 19th Century stone building built between 1872 and 1875 in Italianate and Gothic Revival styles to serve as the home and administrative centre for the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown. Over the years it has housed bishops, parish priests, and has served as meeting rooms, retirement housing for clergy and other church related functions. Today, it remains as a designated heritage building and continues to support the community activities of the parish. The building also features a North Country natural slate roof in Unfading Black 20” x 10” x ¼” – a material that can withstand the harsh seasonal weather of Prince Edward Island. While the building has been in operation for more than 100 years, with a restored slate roof, this historical building can continue to serve its community for another one hundred years.
FAQ
Why is slate a great roofing option?
A high-quality ASTM S-1 rated natural roofing slate will provide a service life of over 75 years. Slate was created by nature over 500 million years ago. Evidence shows the first home to have a slate roof was in North Wales which dates back to 1300 AD. It is important to do your research on manufactured products and how long those companies have been in business. Many sell composite, synthetic (plastic) slates to mimic the beauty of natural quarried slate. If they’ve been in business for 10 years and offer a 50-year warranty, where is the historic evidence? A natural slate roof requires very little maintenance, is resistant to chemical pollutants, fireproof and unaffected by freeze/thaw cycles.
Are slate roofs worth it?
Your home is one of your biggest investments, that’s why choosing the right roofing material is a significant decision. Your roof not only protects your family and belongings, but it can also add curb appeal and by selecting a slate roof, this will increase the value of your home. To compare, you would have to replace an asphalt roof several times before it lasted as long as a natural slate roof tile. When deciding on a slate roof, consider the home’s architecture, minimal maintenance, durability, and the uniqueness of each piece of slate is different, thus adding character and charm. When amortized over its life expectancy (minimum 75 years), a slate roof will be the least expensive roof your home will ever have!
How long does a slate roof tile last?
Natural roofing slate should meet the requirements of ASTM International’s ASTM C 406, Standard Specification for Roofing Slate, to ensure the highest quality standard possible. Slate samples are tested for water absorption, weather resistance, modulus rupture and flexure. Once tested, slate is then graded; S-1 providing a service life over 75 years; S-2, 40-75 years and S-3, 20-40 years.
How do I know if a piece of slate is good or bad?
To determine if a piece of slate is of sound quality, you can conduct a “ring” test by tapping the back of the slate with your knuckles or hammer. If you hear a ring, the slate is in good condition, but if you hear a dull thud or rattling sound, the slate can be defective and should be further inspected prior to installation.
Is slate good for a roof?
Slate roofs are recognized for their timeless beauty and outstanding durability. They can survive a century or more if properly installed and maintained. Slate is a natural stone material that is completely fire-resistant and available in a variety of colors.