Slate Roofing from Macmillan Slaters & Tilers est 1974

Slate roofing is one of the most robust and hard wearing forms of roofing ever available. There is slate roofing laid over 300 years ago that is still standing today. This is not only a testament to the material itself but also to the craftsmen who laid it. The same techniques are used today by our craftsmen. Macmillans source slate from all over the world. Europe in the main and are agents for Welsh Slate Company, Cupa, Burlington, Vermont Slate & in a range of colours and finishes.

There are three main reasons why you would need to replace a slate roof. Either the slate is delaminating due to age (only seen from the underside) poor quality (seen from the outside). Or the copper nails are failing (whole slates slipping out). Last but not least the unskilled workman carrying out too many poor repairs effective ruining the roof, we see it all.

Beware of Chinese and Indian slate. It is cheap for a reason, most has a high Iron content which will rust or delaminate quickly.Additionally the slate is high in Calcium Carbonate which reacts with the UV light, causing it to dis-colour. This slate might be fine for flooring as it has a sealer coating applied, but for slate roofing it falls short outside in our harsh environment. This slate will not last a quarter of the life of a good quality slate roof tile and gives slate roofing in general a bad name. Ask the supplier where the slate is from. As some suppliers disguise the origin of Chinese slate by giving it an English sounding name.

Imitation slate tiles (crushed up slate waste glued together with resin). In England they are only guaranteed for 15 years for good reason. In New Zealand our UV is far harsher than where these products are produced. The UV rays de-stabilise the resin causing the product to turn very brittle. We have seen these type of roof products fail before in this country within 10-20 years. They will not stand the test of time. In our experience you would be better off with a coloured clay tile of a similar profile or to be frank a tin roof will last longer.

Quality Slate roofing holds a very special place at Macmillans. Slate is a unique material that requires a special kind of skill and love to fit its place on the roof. At Macmillans we are extremely proud of providing over 47 years of unsurpassed service to our clients.

Click here for Recycled Slate

Please view our Slate Roofing Gallery to see a actual slate roofs which we have supplied and installed.