Natural Slate is a beautiful option for any period property and we’re huge fans of the finish here at Sureme Roofing and Building. We thought we’d give you a bit of history on Natural Slate and its origin.
We all know that natural slate is one of the world’s oldest roofing materials and many of our historic buildings are adorned with slate roofs.
The benefits of using slate as a roofing material have been recognised since Roman times with the later additions of the Roman fort at Segontium in Wales using slate as a roofing material in the 2nd Century.
It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century that roofing slate really took off.
Landowners began to take control of the slate quarries that previously were small scale operations.
Transport and technical innovations such as steam engines and hydropower enabled slate to be mass-produced, and it soon began to cover the roofs of new houses being built in the rapidly developing industrial towns.
Slate was exported to the United States and Ireland, and by the turn of the century Wales was producing more than half the United Kingdom’s output of slate.
Hence, a new building trade developed, and craftsmen emerged to fix this adaptable form of covering that was relatively easy to mine and split, and easy to stack. Over time, it became clear that natural slate could provide buildings with protection from all the elements – particularly frost and rain due to its low water absorption – and that it required little or no maintenance.
Looking back at natural slate’s origins serves to remind us why this iconic and aspirational material continues to be revered amongst architects, specifiers, builders and developers today.
As well as its outstanding performance, beauty and intrinsic design qualities, we are assured that natural slate will truly stand the test of time.
These very attributes serve to make natural slate a premium product in comparison to other roofing materials, and with a lifespan of around 80-100 years, it continues to adorn many prestigious buildings.
Today, natural slate is available from all around the world with 90% of the world’s slate originating from Spain. When sourcing slate, it pays to check the origins before purchase, as not all slate is of the same quality and an inferior product may not deliver on its promise. This is something we can help and advise you on.
It’s also worthwhile dealing with a supplier with a solid reputation and a long history of sourcing slate. Again we have some long standing business relationships with many suppliers so you know you’ll be in safe hands.
If you’re considering investing in natural slate, why not talk to the experts here at Supreme Roofing? We’re always happy to provide a free, no obligation quotaton and offer advice on the best solution for your home or business.
Recent Comments