Slate
SLATE - nature's "high tech" roofing material.
For strength, durability, and beauty, few materials have withstood the test of time like Slate. Modern slate rooftops, if well constructed and properly maintained, can easily last 100 years or more. Churches and other structures exist in Europe with 400 year-old slate rooftops.
Slate is available in a variety of colors, textures and patterns. Natural slate will not fade, streak, blotch, or effervesce. Slate colors are often termed unfading or weathering.
All colors are in stock.
Slate is also unique in that its application depends entirely upon skilled human hands. After centuries of use, it remains the domain of the master craftsman.
Common Slate Tools
Cutter - used to cut slate to desired height and width.
Hammer - one end is used to punch slate and the other end is for hammering nails. There is a claw in the center to pull nails out. On each side of the shank there is a sharp edge for cutting slate.
Stake - The long edge is used to rest slate on and/or cut slate. It can also be used as a straight edge for marking slate when fitting around chimneys, hips, etc.
Ripper - used for removing slate and the hook on the end is used to cut and remove nails.
The hips, corners, valleys, and ridges are cut and fitted by hand for each individual rooftop.
Thus, each slate rooftop is unique, not unlike a work of art.
McCreesh Slate Roofing buys used slate.
Sometimes slate roofs are removed because the homeowner has chosen a different material for their roof. Slates in perfect condition can be reused to repair roofs and usually match the slate on older homes from the same period.
Recently, we've expanded our experience to include a synthetic slate product called InSpire. It has the look and feel of natural slate without the weight. We use this product because it doesn't fade or curl like other synthetic slate products. It comes in a variety of colors and mixes. Below are some pictures of homes we have done in InSpire. For other examples, please visit our gallery.
