Types and Uses
For pitched roofs, the choice has long been between tiles and slates, with thatch amounting for a tiny percentage. Before the railways became commonplace, slate roofs were largely restricted to areas close to quarry sites, due to the high cost of transportation. In other parts of the country, tiles were commonplace at that time but slate was seen as desirable for important buildings. After the coming of the railways, slate became more widely used.
Slate is still viewed by many as adding class to a building. Often, roofing materials are dictated by local planning regulations, but where there is free choice, many people prefer the upmarket look of slates. Natural slate can be expensive and requires great skill to fit, but newer alternatives have been developed in fibre cement, concrete and steel that are easy to fit and suit all budgets.
Where to buy roof slates
- DFR Roofing Ltd - Douglas House, Weston Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth, Devon, PL3 4NU, 01752 255616
- Snowdonia Slate and Stone - Cwmbowydd Road, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3ED, 01766 832525
- Marshfield Stone Roof Tiles Ltd - Unit 43, Poplar Business Park, Castle Eaton, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 6JX, 01285 810 499
- Black Mountain Quarries Ltd - Howton Court, Pontrilas, Herefordshire, HR2 0BG, 01981 241 541
- Samaca UK Ltd - 2a Rutherford Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0AR, 01785 226067
- B & M Henderson Ltd - Jockey Street Buildings, (off Accrington Road), Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5BD, 0800 083 1879