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

Bending Strength, also known as Flexural Strength, Breaking Load or Modulus of Rupture, is one of the main properties of roofing slates. This test is found in the four roofing slate standards: European EN 12326, USA ASTM C406, Chinese GB/T 18600 and Indian IS 6250. Together with the water absorption test and sulphur atmosphere exposure, […]

When choosing a roofing company, you should consider your choice very carefully. It is a hard task but spending some time looking for a competent roofer will be worth it. Hiring a good reputable roofer is the best way to reduce potential roofing problems. All roofing contractors are not alike! Finding a competent roofer for […]

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 […]

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 […]

The British Isles keep one of the most interesting slate architectural and historical heritage in the world. Since Prehistory, the many cultures that have populated the British Isles have used slates for lots of purposes: walls, hobs, tombs and gravestones, tools, engravings…you name it. The first proper roofing slate shingles were found in the Roman […]

I have been doing research on roofing slate for many years. During this time, I’ve found some interesting facts about roofing slate, relating many different fields such as peculiar uses, unknown properties, and geological features, among others. For example, did you know that…? Titian (1490-1576), one of the most important painters from the Italian Renascence, […]