Natural slate has long been a cornerstone of high-quality roofing materials, prized for its durability and natural elegance. Extracting and processing this material is a meticulous process that underscores the importance of working with trusted partners to ensure the highest standards. At Clay & Slate, we’re proud to source our Natural Spanish Slate from Gaelic Pizarras, a partner renowned for their expertise and commitment to excellence.
If you’ve ever wondered how natural slates make their journey from a quarry in Spain to a roofing project in the UK, here’s how it happens:
The journey of our Natural Spanish Slate begins in surface quarries, where extraction follows time-honoured methods. After removing the overburden – the soil and rock layers above the slate – large slabs of slate are cut from the quarry face. This step requires precision and care to preserve the integrity of the material.
The slate slabs are then carefully shaped into smaller blocks, which are transported to a dedicated splitting facility. Here, skilled operators use advanced machinery to split the blocks into roofing slates of the desired thickness. The dressed edge is then applied to ensure a clean, uniform finish.
Every slate undergoes a stringent quality check, adhering to specific selection and quality criteria. This meticulous process guarantees that each slate meets the high standards required for roofing applications. By working with Gaelic Pizarras, we ensure that our products are not only visually stunning but also built to last.
The final step in the journey sees the slates being packed by hand. They are placed vertically onto timber pallets to minimise the risk of damage during transportation. These carefully prepared shipments are then sent to our UK distribution centre, ready to meet the needs of our customers.
Why Trusted Partnerships Matter
The process of quarrying, shaping, and distributing natural slate is a complex one, requiring precision, skill, and unwavering commitment to quality. This is why working with a trusted partner like Gaelic Pizarras is so vital. Their expertise ensures that every slate we provide is of the highest quality, giving our customers confidence in our roofing materials.
The wrong slate choice can lead to poor durability, discolouration, and expensive repairs. That’s why we only supply hand-selected, premium Spanish slate, sourced directly from quarries we know and trust. With Clay & Slate, you can rely on consistent, high-quality slate that roofers, developers, and merchants depend on for durability and lasting performance.
