Discover the latest news about natural slate: new projects, top news, installation guides, tips about how to place slate tiles, roofing sector innovations…

Heavy 3 slate has been used to rebuild a previously run-down village hall, into An Talla Loch Ness Visitor Centre, a visitor gateway to Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. The renovation project used Heavy 3 slate for its similarities, aesthetically and characteristically, to the traditional Scottish Ballachulish. Part of a £2.5 million project, the […]

As some of you may know, I have been teaching courses about roofing slate for the last few years. People that are new to roofing slate usually think that slate is a rather dull material, as to them, all roofing slates look the same. Well, we know that this is not true. Roofing slates have […]

After an intense week, the CUPA PIZARRAS European Tour came to an end, we hope you enjoyed this virtual trip as much as we did. Six roofers from different locations in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom showed us their best skills and taught us some natural slate secrets. In case you missed one of […]

Why do we use slate to cover roofs? There are many good answers to these questions: slate is waterproof, can be split into thin, regular and flat shingles. Slate is durable and has been used for centuries in many exceptional buildings, and (my favourite) slate is a beautiful natural rock with outstanding aesthetics. However, have […]

At CUPA PIZARRAS we’re hitting the road to explore different countries and show you natural slate through the eyes of the roofers. How can you join us? Quite easy: from 22nd March check out our Instagram stories. Throughout that week we will stop at different locations in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom, where local […]

Today I will discuss something that can either be very funny or very sad, depends on the eye of the beholder. Let me explain some of the facts about fake roofing slates. Nowadays it is possible to find artificial or synthetic “slate” shingles, usually made of asphalt, rubber, plastic…anything but stone. Of course, companies that […]

From looking at the pictures in this interview, we can all agree that Michael Weiß is an artist (@incrediblewhite). This German roofer has specialised in the ornamental side of natural slate. “Even with small decorative elements, you can make every roof, every facade, every chimney into something individual”, he says. In roofing, like in every […]

A number of pre-existing farm structures have been reconstructed using our HEAVY 3 natural slate in order to house this new Scottish whisky distillery, Ardross. Located in the scenic Averon Valley, the project involved the refurbishment and extension of an old farm, retaining the original 19th-century steading buildings, farmhouse and cottages. Existing stone and slate […]