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Welsh Slate tops a sustainability exemplar

Welsh Slate tops a sustainability exemplar

Welsh Slate

Roofing slates from Welsh Slate feature on the Duchy of Cornwall’s Nansledan development. As work continues at Nansledan - the Duchy of Cornwall’s award-winning 218-hectare mixed-use urban extension to Newquay – Welsh slates are continuing to make their mark. Hundreds of Welsh Slate’s Penrhyn Heather Blues in two sizes – 500mm x 300mm and 400mm x 250mm - are being installed on the roofs, and as vertical slating on window bays and under-window panels, by a pair of specialist contractors for two of the scheme’s three housebuilder developers. H
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Welsh Slate wins Westminster’s vote

Welsh Slate wins Westminster’s vote

Welsh Slate

Two types of Welsh Slate feature on the new roof of London’s Irish Embassy. The £2.5 million re-roof of the Grade II listed Irish Embassy in London, with more than 10,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate, has required its own exceptional levels of diplomacy. DarntonB3 Architecture had multiple challenges to factor in when it came to specifying the replacement slates, including the City of Westminster’s planning department, which was keen to see as many of the existing slates re-used as possible and required convincing to embrace the “new” metric sizes. Then there were landlords Grosvenor Estates, leaseholders the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Historic England, not to mention the site being opposite Buckingham Palace, on a “Red route” with diplomatic bays nearby, and between two of the most important Conservation Areas of Belgravia. Work began on the landlocked Grosvenor Place site in March 2018, a year after DarntonB3, who are specialist conservation architects, were appointed to oversee the project, and has just completed (January 2019). Two types of Welsh slates have been used on the former terraced town mansion with decorative metal roof crest that was designed by architect Thomas Cundy, who was surveyor to the Grosvenor Estate at the time, and built in 1868 in a French Renaissance style. Roofing contractor Mundy Roofing was involved at an early stage in the project and were ultimately appointed as principal contractor. Specialising in leadwork and natural slate roofing, they were pivotal to the project’s success. A total of 600m2 of County-grade 500mm x 300mm slates have been used on the numerous standard 30° to 35° pitched roofs while Capital-grade bespoke arrow-head slates of the same colour but sized at 400mm x 250mm were used around dormer windows on the 80° mansard roof elements that are reminiscent of Paris and feature lead secret gutter detailing around the perimeter. There is also some vertical slating to the rear elevation.  The old 5mm to 7mm thick slates had been on the roof since it was first built 150 years ago. The rectangular ones had been slightly longer and narrower, at 510mm x 255mm, while the arrow-head slates had been smaller all round, at 350mm x 200mm.  But a roof survey showed they were not laid to the correct bond or headlaps and fixing points were far from ideal and non-existent in places (the headlaps between 0 and 50mm), leading to the hardened sarking underneath becoming sodden in places. In fact, most of the roof had been repaired over the years with different types of slates using temporary lead tags or painted with a bitumen solution in an attempt to prolong its life. DarntonB3 argued that if the roof was re-installed as existing, its appearance would alter as they would have no option but to lay the slates at the correct headlap which would create additional courses. In addition, using the slightly larger arrow-head slates for the mansard roof would enable them to form a more robust detail at the abutments to the dormers and party wall.  Home to the Irish Embassy for the past 70 years, the building comprises office and entertainment space. The traditional timber truss roof featured timber sarking boards with penny gaps, a form of construction usually found in Scotland. The slates were then fixed with copper nails directly to the boarding without any timber battens. Once city planners had agreed to 100% replacement of the Welsh slates, at the new metric sizes (a process that took a year), the addition of timber counter battens, to improve ventilation of the roof and prolong the life of the new slates, was also proposed by the Architects. Mundy Roofing produced sample comparison mock-ups to demonstrate to the conservation officer this change would not be detrimental to the building’s character. As it is, the interface details where slates have been lifted has not altered the character of the building and the introduction of battens would not be known by the general observer.  DarntonB3 senior associate Matthew Jones, who was project manager and lead architect throughout, said: “Westminster City Council are regarded as one of the leading conservation-led councils in the UK, with some of the highest standards and criteria to meet, and dialogue with the conservation officer was detailed and robust. The need for wholesale replacement of the existing slate due to them being at the end of their life was a delicate decision and sufficient evidence of this necessity was proven. The replacement of the slates with metric sizes was also an extensively discussed item but the principal contractor and Welsh Slate worked with us to develop the narrative.” Keith Hamilton, an architect accredited in building conservation, acting for DarntonB3 alongside Matthew was reasonably sure Welsh slates had been used previously but was keen to ensure the correct thickness and grading were eventually used throughout the renewal process.  He said “We have specified Welsh Slate on numerous other projects and their reputation for the highest quality precedes them. We were able to argue the merits of increased ventilation behind the slates using cross battening in lieu of direct nailing to the existing sarking board, which in the majority of areas had survived over 150 years’ performance. “The risk of lack of ventilation on the lower roof pitches behind the slates was particularly relevant at the eaves and head. We had previously considered introducing slate vents and felt underlay to augment any need for ventilation but the existence of the ‘penny gaps’ in the sarking boards encouraged us, to believe that this was not required.  “This was another point of continued discussion with the conservation officer who was against an underlay in this instance. The timber sarking was found to be in remarkable condition considering the lack of existing underlay and the direct fix of the slates, highlighting the quality of the original slates. Hence, there is no secondary layer apart from the slating itself and we trust the quality of the new Welsh slate will replicate the existing quality and last another 100 years.” Due to tight access on the roof, they were also able to widen the lead gutters and set back the lower courses of slates to avoid getting them broken. All the new Penrhyn slates were holed and traditionally fixed with 38mm copper nails as opposed to clipped or other methods. The standard-size slates were able to cope with the wide variation of roof pitches and new rooflights encountered by varying the lap and gauge slightly. In virtually every case, the slate junctions are with lead or copper flashings and as it was appreciated there is some risk of staining, all lead was treated with patination oil. Using new treated timber battens for fixing the new slates proved a great success as direct fixing into the old hardened sarking boarding would have been a major problem and time consuming.  Matthew said the support they had received from Welsh Slate had been “fantastic” and included a site visit to match the type of slate, a letter explaining the need to change from imperial to metric sizing, technical drawings of the arrow-head slates, technical information on the end life of slates and their unsuitability for re-use, on-time deliveries with little if no wastage, and recommending experienced slating contractors. Mundy Roofing were on site for a total of 10 months. Work included the rebuilding of three chimney stacks, involving 30 tonnes of stone and brickwork, and restoration of traditionally-forged wrought ironwork to the pavilion roof crest, all underneath a temporary roof. Russell Mundy said: “This project was extremely challenging due to it being a working embassy but Welsh Slate were excellent with their support in achieving planning consent and the product has received widespread praise from the client.” Matthew said: “Due to the extremely difficult access to this roof, we were conscious to use a slate that will require little maintenance (if any) and satisfy appearance for an extended period of time. Welsh Slate were able to provide technical studies comparing different types of slate and their longevity. This enabled the landlord, Grosvenor Estates, that the new roof should outlast the previous roof and match it entirely with other buildings nearby. Welsh Slate’s evidence on the existing slates being at the end of their useful life, and the lifecycle information of the new slates, helped give the conservation officer comfort that the right approach was being taken for the building.” Keith added: “Essentially, Welsh Slate ensured we got the right slate, quality, consistency and sizes for the varying roof pitches and conditions. There have been no problems with mixing batches or colour variations which can occur. They also met the stringent programme requirements, reducing risks of delay from the main contractor. To our knowledge, there have been no rejects on quality of slates. “The final result is the new slating looks exactly like it was envisaged in 1868, except with the knowledge it is better-fixed and easier to reach for maintenance, with a discreet fall arrest system fitted. The client is extremely happy with the quality of the final works.” Andrea Fox, senior architect with the property management unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said: “The team have provided us with an exceptional and beautiful project that we know will stand the test of time and one we are extremely proud to have commissioned.” “I want to thank the Welsh Slate team for the support they provided during our project and especially in relation to protracted issues relating to the listed building consent approval.” 
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Welsh Slate tops Antrim Almshouses

Welsh Slate tops Antrim Almshouses

Welsh Slate

Welsh Slate’s new Penrhyn Heather Blue slates feature on the front elevations of 31 almshouses in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, run by the Charles Sheils Charity, the largest almshouses charity in Ireland, and one of the largest in the UK.
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Welsh Slate tops the menu at Clifton College

Welsh Slate tops the menu at Clifton College

Welsh Slate

Two types of Welsh Slate roofing slates have helped breathe new life into the stunning Grade II listed dining hall of a top independent school. A total of 15,000 of Welsh Slate’s rectangular Cwt y Bugail and arrow-head Penrhyn Heather Blue slates now feature on the duo-pitch roof at Clifton College in Bristol. The three-storey dining hall/kitchen, which is one of, if not the biggest building in a cluster of stunning Victorian constructions, had not been re-roofed since it was built 156 years ago to a design by architect Charles Hansom.
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Welsh Slate tops an iconic gateway to Europe

Welsh Slate tops an iconic gateway to Europe

Welsh Slate

Welsh Slate’s Blue Grey Ffestiniog roofing slates have helped to transform St Pancras International from near demolition to an iconic gateway to Europe.
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From Fogs to Fame with Welsh Slate

From Fogs to Fame with Welsh Slate

Welsh Slate

The use of Welsh Slate on the refurbishment of London’s historic Kings Cross railway station.
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WELSH SLATE IS A PEERLESS PERFORMER IN A PIONEERING PENINSULAR TOWN

WELSH SLATE IS A PEERLESS PERFORMER IN A PIONEERING PENINSULAR TOWN

Welsh Slate

A church in one of the first Conservation Areas in Wales has been given a new lease of life, thanks in part to Welsh Slate.Some 130m2 of Welsh Slate’s roofing slates have replaced their 150-year-old predecessors on the roof of the chancel at the Grade II listed parish church of Holy Trinity in Llandudno which was consecrated in 1874.
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Welsh Slate tops a honourable restoration at Lincoln’s Inn

Welsh Slate tops a honourable restoration at Lincoln’s Inn

Welsh Slate

Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate feature on Lincoln’s Inn’s Great Hall. One of London’s most unique buildings is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. The Great Hall and Library Buildings of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, an association of students, barristers and judges and one of the four Inns of Court, have over the past two years undergone an extensive programme of external conservation carried out by expert stone masons Capital Stone.  The programme of work includes replacement of the Great Hall’s slate roof covering. Work is still ongoing, with anticipated overall completion in April/May this year, but the work to the Great Hall roof is complete, as is the striking of the temporary roof covering which brings the new roof into view.  The Great Hall and Library Buildings were constructed from 1843 to 1845. The Great Hall roof was originally covered with lead but was recovered in 1868 with slate. From 1871 to 1873 the Library was extended eastwards by three bays. The building is an important example of 19th Century Gothic Revival architecture and has been listed Grade II* since 1951.  After 154 years, the slates on the roof of the Great Hall required replacing to protect the interior, including a striking fresco and beautifully worked oak. The slates were suffering from surface delamination and a large proportion had slipped due to nail rot, requiring tingles to hold them in place. The existing slates were found to originate from both the Ordovician and Cambrian deposits of North Wales – the former predominately on the eastern elevation and the latter on the western. The large Ordovician slates, typically 850mm long and between 350mm and 500mm wide (and laid to a fixed gauge of approximately 350mm which equates to a head lap of approximately 100mm), originated from what is now Welsh Slate’s Ffestiniog quarry, which is currently mothballed, while the other quarries producing these no longer operate. The Cambrian slates from the Llanberis region, as well as Bethesda where Welsh Slate’s main quarry is based, were even larger, at 850mm long and wider than 450mm, laid to the same gauge. Both slate types were fixed to timber battens on open timber rafters, with the underside torched with horsehair and lime plaster. These were replaced for the closest Welsh slate match – Welsh Slate’s County-grade Penrhyn Heather Blues, at 800mm long, widths of between 400mm and 550mm, and a 350mm gauge and 100mm head lap. These are guaranteed for 100 years, with a useful life of 150 years. While the roof is generally simple in form, with two large slopes, its substantial size at circa 800m2 meant the work took considerable time to complete. To allow for more than a dozen dormers the Welsh Slate had to be cut and fitted to size with double copper clout nails. The thickest slates were used on the eaves, diminishing towards the ridge to maintain the original visual finish. They were also holed from the rear to provide a slight countersink to the face. The Great Hall operates by day as a dining hall for members of the Inn, and by night, as a venue for dinners, receptions and weddings for up to 400 people. Set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds in Holborn, Central London, it is the closest Inn to the Royal Courts of Justice. Henry Skinner, Head of Projects and Facilities Management at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, said: “The replacement of the roof covering was far from straightforward, despite its externally simplistic construction. During stripping of the existing roof covering, we had to deal with atmospheric lead contamination of a horsehair felt that sat between the original slates and close boarding, requiring controlled measures of removal and disposal.  “Furthermore, the close boarding had warped over time, causing an undulation between roof trusses that needed to be spaced out. This was achieved through the introduction of additional battens and packing timbers to create a level surface onto which the new slate could be laid.” Casey Wickers, trainee quantity surveyor with Capital Stone Renovation, said: “The main work of stripping the existing roof was extremely challenging and labour intensive, to not only remove, wash and handle each slate manually through a tight scaffolding design, but also doing so whilst wearing full RPE due to the lead contamination. “With the two stunning roof facades in full view, the quality of the Welsh slates can be seen by all.
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Welsh Slate helps bring integrity to a British Museum development

Welsh Slate helps bring integrity to a British Museum development

Welsh Slate

Flooring by Welsh Slate features in a new gallery at the British Museum. Natural slate flooring by Welsh Slate was specified for the refurbishment of a gallery at the British Museum for a multitude of reasons. Some 172m2 of various sizes of Cwt-y- Bugail dark blue grey floor slates from Welsh Slate Ltd were used on the redevelopment of the museum’s “Middle Room”, one of the oldest rooms in Sir Robert Smirke’s Georgian museum. They were specified by Purcell architects, the museum’s conservation architects and lead consultants, based on their working knowledge of the product.
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St Martins goes back to the future with Welsh Slate

St Martins goes back to the future with Welsh Slate

Welsh Slate

Welsh Slate has supplied roofing slates from both its Penrhyn and Ffestiniog quarries to provide a like-for-like replacement for an old 19th century roof at London’s famous St Martin-in-the-Fields church complex through roofing contractors NDM Leadsheet Specialists Ltd working for main contractor Costain Ltd.
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Welsh Slate heads up Sarah Beeny’s new home

Welsh Slate heads up Sarah Beeny’s new home

Welsh Slate

Roofing slates by Welsh Slate star in presenter’s new TV programme.Roofing slates by Welsh Slate were the material of choice for TV property expert Sarah Beeny’s own home-in-the-making which is the star of the Channel 4 series “Sarah Beeny’s new life in the country”.The “Homes on 4” series follows Sarah and her family (husband and four sons aged 11 to 17 years) as they swap London life for a new start on a 220-acre, semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset, where they are building a modern and sustainable stately home of their dreams.
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Welsh Slate tops a world first...and more

Welsh Slate tops a world first...and more

Welsh Slate

The world’s first iron-framed building, the forerunner of the modern skyscraper, will enjoy a new lease of life in the capital of England’s largest inland county, thanks to Historic England and Welsh Slate.
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Welsh Slate proves just the topping for Queen's Lace

Welsh Slate proves just the topping for Queen's Lace

Welsh Slate

Cwt-y-Bugail roof slates feature on a £5 million new-build private house. Professional landscaper Claire Merriman commissioned an architect to design the latest project in her burgeoning property development portfolio. When they proposed Welsh Slate for the roof of the new five-bedroom, five-bathroom private house in five acres of stunning countryside in Surrey, she was happy to acquiesce but wanted to compare the British product with its Chinese and Spanish equivalents.
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Welsh Slate helps give a London landmark a new lease of life

Welsh Slate helps give a London landmark a new lease of life

Welsh Slate

Roofing slates from Welsh Slate's Cwt-y-Bugail quarry were specified for the new-look Royal Pagoda. Welsh Slate roofing slates have played a “critical” role in the award-winning renovation of one of London’s most unusual buildings. A two-year conservation project to restore the roofs, and 80 decorative dragons, on the 18th Century Great Pagoda in the World Heritage Site of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew will give the public access to the upper floors for the first time in decades.
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WELSH SLATE TOPS AN 18-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO RE-OPEN A LISTED LIDO

WELSH SLATE TOPS AN 18-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO RE-OPEN A LISTED LIDO

Welsh Slate

Roof slates by Welsh Slate feature on the renovated Cleveland Pools.The UK’s oldest public open-air swimming baths, once used as a trout farm, are enjoying a new lease of life, thanks in part to Welsh Slate.Some 75m2 of Welsh Slate’s new Penrhyn Heather Blue roofing slates feature alongside salvaged originals on the main building and changing rooms of the lido at Cleveland Pools, a Grade II* listed building that had been on the Buildings at Risk register.
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Welsh Slate helps save Dover mansion block from its Waterloo

Welsh Slate helps save Dover mansion block from its Waterloo

Welsh Slate

Dover’s Waterloo Mansions are treated to a Welsh Slate reroof. An unusual double-mansard roof on a Grade II listed seafront mansion block is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks to Welsh Slate. Some 11,000 Penrhyn Heather Blue Capital-grade slates from Welsh Slate now adorn the roof and elevations of Waterloo Mansions, part of a Georgian terrace which overlooks Dover harbour, designed in the 1830s by Philip Hardwick, architect of the Euston Arch. 
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Welsh Slate walling helps new hotel win an international award

Welsh Slate walling helps new hotel win an international award

Welsh Slate

The Pig Hotel in Cornwall features rustic walling from Welsh Slate. A £13 million conversion of a listed country house into a boutique restaurant with rooms during the Covid pandemic has been rewarded with a Top 100 hotels award, thanks in part to Welsh Slate rustic walling.
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Welsh Slates help a national museum with a new top hat

Welsh Slates help a national museum with a new top hat

Welsh Slate

Almost 150 years after work first started on its purpose-built home, the Netherland’s national museum is enjoying a new lease of life with Ffestiniog Blue Grey roofing slate
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Cedral Slates - Knock Rushen

Cedral Slates - Knock Rushen

Cedral

The site at Knock Rushen is located by the sea in an exposed area, Rivendale fibre cement slates were selected to withstand the force of the natural elements. The slates offered Hartford Homes a cost-effective solution that seamlessly blended in with the local environment. Houses in Castletown are predominantly finished with natural slate roofs but Hartford were confident that fibre cement would enable them to create a finish that would be sympathetic to the local surroundings
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Del Carmen Ultra: A New Angle On Slate In Australia

Del Carmen Ultra: A New Angle On Slate In Australia

Spanish Slate Quarries UK Ltd

Our projects in Australia have quickly become some of our best work. SSQ boasts one of the strongest brands in Australia with the Del Carmen, Ultra grade slate. Working alongside Melbourne’s very own Roof Services for the last 20 years, we have supplied some interesting projects that demonstrate the qualities of the Del Carmen Ultra slate. SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra is sourced from an exclusive slate quarry in the Cabrera Mountains of North-West Spain. It is consistently chosen by architects around the world for its unrivalled beauty and exceptional high quality.
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WELSH SLATE HELPS A HISTORIC RAILWAY STATION GET BACK ONLINE

WELSH SLATE HELPS A HISTORIC RAILWAY STATION GET BACK ONLINE

Welsh Slate

One of the earliest surviving railway stations in the world is enjoying a new lease of life, and TV stardom, thanks in part to Welsh Slate.
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Welsh Slate helps historic country mansion with a new lease of life

Welsh Slate helps historic country mansion with a new lease of life

Welsh Slate

A country mansion that was once one of Britain’s most at risk Grade II* listed buildings is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks in part to Welsh Slate.
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Del Carmen Takes Home Roof Slating Award

Del Carmen Takes Home Roof Slating Award

Spanish Slate Quarries UK Ltd

A project utilising our Del Carmen Spanish Slate took home the award for Roof Slating at this year’s UK Roofing Awards, hosted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The NFRC is the largest and most influential roofing trade association in the UK, promoting both quality products and contractors, while ensuring that its members are at the forefront of all roofing developments. Contour Roofing (Essex) was given the task of providing the roof coverings to St Joseph’s College, a Grade II listed building (1866) on the fringes of Mill Hill Village.
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Welsh Slate helps Attleys catch a curve ball at Coal Drops Yard

Welsh Slate helps Attleys catch a curve ball at Coal Drops Yard

Welsh Slate

Some 92,000 Cwt Y Bugail slates feature on a ground-breaking new/old roof. Formerly a seedy area worth avoiding, London’s Kings Cross has now been transformed into a go-to destination for office workers, students and tourists. Developer Argent’s regeneration of the area has sensitively re-purposed the early Victorian railway buildings into variously, a college campus, supermarket and offices, in which the interior changes are radical but the exteriors have been left largely unaltered. Not so for Coal Drops Yard, a pair of elongated Victorian coal warehouses originally built to distribute coal from the North of England across London. Here, the pitched roofs of two almost-parallel buildings, 150m and 100m in length and 39m apart, have been reconfigured to curve up at their northern ends and gently kiss each other. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the roofs peel upwards and extend into the middle of the space between the two buildings. A new floorplate sits below the roof structure, with glazing filling the gap between the two, creating a third level of retail. The new roofs of the ornate cast-iron and brick structures have been slated with 92,000 new versions of the original Welsh Slates – 500mm x 250mm Cwt Y Bugails from the manufacturer’s Llan Ffestiniog quarry in North Wales – by Banbury-based specialist sub-contractor Attleys Roofing. Attleys already had some Kings Cross experience, using 6,400 500mm x 300mm Heather Blues from Welsh Slate’s main Penrhyn quarry for the re-roof of the nearby German Gymnasium - the first purpose-built gym in England - which is now enjoying a new lease of life as a designer restaurant. Coal Drops Yard was a whole new ball game, testing Attleys to the limit, but the result is an extraordinary reinterpretation of the canal-side site. Main contractor BAM Construction was responsible for the structure of the new roofline. More than 50 new steel columns were carefully threaded through the existing structure to support the roof independently of the building, a point cloud survey being carried out to help calculate where to put the columns without clashing with the existing building fabric. Primary support is provided by a set of large cranked beams supported on cores in each building which join in the middle over the yard. There are four primary beams, two on each building. These dip down towards the centre to create the valley between the two roof structures and have been nicknamed “giraffe beams” in reference to their angled neck and head - the structure looks like two giraffes rubbing noses together. Tie beams at floor level take the tensile loads generated by the weight of the roof. The giraffe beams support two ribbon trusses that define the upper and lower edge of each roof structure and connect in the middle over the yard at the lower edge. These are 7m deep in the middle and taper to 5m at the ends where these join the existing roof. Tubular steel sections were used to create the trusses because of the complex geometry. The new floorplate below the roof is suspended from above using macalloy bars and is tapered towards the perimeter to minimise the impact on the view. More than 60 panels of full-height structural glazing between the floor and new roof are stepped rather than curved or faceted for aesthetic reasons and has the added benefit of hiding the macalloy bars. Temporary trusses were erected to support the giraffe beam assembly and ribbon trusses during construction. The giraffe beam assembly was erected first. The ribbon trusses were brought to site as components, bolted together on the ground into fully-assembled sections complete with rafters, craned into position and bolted together where they meet in the middle. The whole roof structure was then de-propped. Visually, it was important to maintain a seamless transition from the existing roof to the new section so the original timber roof trusses were retained where possible, with some localised strengthening required where the timber had been damaged. The gap between the existing and new roof structure was then boarded over ready for the new Welsh slates.The two roofs are bolted together where they meet in the middle. Heatherwick Studio chose to position the new roof element at the northern ends of the two buildings as the eastern building had been devastated by a fire in 1985. Used more recently for warehousing and nightclubs, they were largely abandoned in the 1990s. Group leader Lisa Finlay said: “Our challenge was to radically remodel this Victorian infrastructure to meet the needs of a modern urban development without losing what made them special. To do this, we focused on understanding their original function and how they were adapted over time so we could appreciate how best to preserve and reuse the existing fabric, whilst also introducing new elements. One of which is an entirely free-standing new structure threaded through the historic buildings, from which a spectacular new third level is suspended.”  Attleys were on site for a total of almost 18 months. The roof pitch of the original sections of roof was 28° but as the curves swept around and met in the middle this changed to 47°. Thereafter the length also decreased from 8.4m to 6.9m at the kissing point where the two curved roofs met but the same number of courses of slates (44) had to be maintained. This meant Attleys had to decrease the gauges and not only cut the sides of the slates to take them around the curve but also the tops of the slates to maintain the same number of courses. No clever nailing or hidden bibbing was required to stop rainwater flowing diagonally at this point as the pitch was so steep. Attleys’ managing director Shaun Attley met with Heatherwick Studio and BAM’s design team up to two years prior to commencement on site to discuss the design issues and how to achieve the aesthetics requested while using the products selected.  Shaun advised the project team that the Cwt Y Bugail slates could not be used for their initial roof design which exceeded a 90° pitch so it was re-designed to ensure that where the eaves met it was at a pitch commensurate with Welsh Slate’s fixing recommendations and warranties. Due to space being at a premium, all the Cwt Y Bugail slates were cut off-site at Attleys’ depot in Banbury. To do this, Attleys had to calculate how much of the slates needed cutting off. This was done by taking measurements from the steel work underneath - from steel to steel at the eaves and steel to steel at the ridge which was generally over 10-15m depending where you were on the curve (on the internal curve or external curve). The kissing point determined how the slates were cut to ensure the perp lines and side laps were maintained.  And because the roof pitch was increasing while the rafter length was decreasing, Attleys also had to cut the tops of the slates down so they suited the decreasing gauges. A total of 32,000 of the 90,000 slates used on the project had to be cut with hand guillotines so the dressed edge could be maintained around the curve which comprised 1,600m2 of the total 4,600m2. Shaun Attley said: “Our timescale for the sections of roof was provided to BAM Construction and this was put into their overall programme with all other sub-contractors but unfortunately our commencement on site was delayed due to previous issues in the construction of the steel frame prior to us starting.  “This meant we were up against the clock in trying to pull back time to ensure the overall programme was still met and we were asked by BAM to find ways of doing as much as possible off-site and increasing labour and production on-site to pull back the time lost. By working together with other sub-contractors and the main contractor we managed to finish a week earlier than our anticipated 43-week overall programme.” He added: “The project was challenging at the beginning to ensure we set the roof out properly but as the contract progressed it became easier. Welsh slates are easy to work, and we work with them all the time, but in this case it was challenging getting the slates to course all the way round. Attleys’ SMSTS-trained supervisor ran the day-to-day safety, conducting Toolbox talks every morning and attending daily safety briefings by BAM Construction staff and supervisors from all trades on site to brief each other of any risks and ensure trades were not disrupting one another.  The team of 10 Attleys operatives, which included two NVQ Level 2 apprentices, carried out daily visual inspections of tools and all power tools were PAT tested every three months. Shaun Attley visited weekly to inspect the job for workmanship and production and also to gather feedback on any safety issues or to see if any safety measures could be instigated to improve the overall safety for their and other operatives on site. “We found some of these measures not only improved safety but also helped improve production,” said Shaun. Attleys also had an independent safety inspector (from The Health & Safety People) visit site monthly to see if there were any safety improvements they could recommend. Far from handling eight million tonnes of coal a year, Coal Drops Yard is now forecast to pull in 12 million visitors a year.
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Cedral Slates - Mount Wise

Cedral Slates - Mount Wise

Cedral

Thrutone Textured fibre cement slates were specified across a new housing development in Mount Wise. Mount Wise is a historic estate about one mile west of the historic centre of the city of Plymouth in Devon.
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Cedral Slates - Chipping Norton

Cedral Slates - Chipping Norton

Cedral

Showcasing the finely detailed surface and dressed edges of the Cedral Rivendale slate, Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association specified Rivendale to fulfil stringent specification guidelines that included using products that would be in keeping with the aesthetic surroundings of the local area.
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From comics to copings

From comics to copings

Welsh Slate

Architectural and landscaping products from Welsh Slate feature on award-winning illustrator’s new home. Award-winning British comic book artist and illustrator Charlie Adlard is enjoying a new lease of life in a new home featuring a building material that is seriously old!
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Cedral Slates - BBC Home of the Year

Cedral Slates - BBC Home of the Year

Cedral

Cedral Thrutone Smooth slates in colour Blue-Black, were used on this beautiful new build in Co. Armagh. This stunning project won BBC House of the Year
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Cedral Slates - Bicester EcoTown

Cedral Slates - Bicester EcoTown

Cedral

Lead developer A2 Dominion is running the initial phase of the North West Bicester Eco town project, which has the long-term vision of providing up to 6,000 sustainable new homes and is the first of four planned Eco towns in the UK. Announced in the Government’s Planning Policy Statement in 2009, the Eco towns are designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. The initial phase of the North West Bicester project is called the Exemplar and main contractor Wilmott Dixon has already started to build the first 94 of the 393 planned highly efficient true zero carbon homes which will create the UK's first zero carbon community that is using Rivendale Fibre Cement Slates for its roofing. Bicester Eco town was designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. Rivendale fibre cement slates were specified for the roofs on the Exemplar phase by main contractor Wilmott Dixon. The homes are highly efficient true zero carbon homes which helped to create the UK's first zero carbon community.
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The Beauty of Slate With None of the Drawbacks

The Beauty of Slate With None of the Drawbacks

IKO PLC

When the garage at a house in Sheffield had to be rebuilt from scratch due to unforeseen circumstances, the homeowner was keen to make sure that re-cycled products were used for the job. He also wanted a roofing tile solution that would complement the original slate on the main roof of the house.
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Roofs with a view: slate used on the view development

Roofs with a view: slate used on the view development

Cupa Pizarras

CUPA 9 slates have been specified as part of a modern luxury housing development in Yorkshire. The company’s natural Spanish slates were chosen on account of their aesthetic value, long-term durability and competitive pricing.  Set amongst the foothills of the Yorkshire Wolds and with panoramic views of the Humber Estuary, ‘The View’ in Swanland is a luxury 14 house development, which has been led by main developer, Church Gate Homes. The high-end collection of properties has been delivered using premium building solutions, including CUPA PIZARRAS H9, with each property featuring around 10,000 individual slates. Excelling in terms of aesthetics and long-lasting performance, natural roofing slates are capable of enduring extreme temperatures, are fire-resistant and unaffected by UV light. Incredibly durable, solutions manufactured from slate can offer a lifecycle of over 100 years. Additionally, the natural make up of the material ensures that it is also the most sustainable roofing option on the market. Specifically, CUPA 9 is a grey slate with a very smooth surface and is taken from one of CUPA PIZARRAS’ own quarries in Riofrío de Aliste in Northern Spain. With its traditional beauty, the natural slate is ideal for use across heritage projects. However, the stylish aesthetic of the material also lends itself equally well to modern developments, such as ‘The View’ where it can be used to create sleek roof designs. Speaking on the project, Calum Cowham, Marketing Manager at Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd commented: “The project team needed a roofing solution that both looked and performed perfectly. With the CUPA 9 slates that’s exactly what they got. What’s more, the company’s natural slate product range is available at a highly competitive price point, which owes a lot to CUPA PIZARRAS’ efficient and effective production methods.” Martin Sutton, Operations Manager at Church Gate Homes commented: “When working on high-value properties, it is important to offer customers products, which combine durability and aesthetic value. This is exactly what CUPA PIZARRAS slates allowed us to do at ‘The View’. The company’s natural products perfectly suited the prestigious nature of the site.” As well as offering quality slate solutions, the CUPA PIZARRAS specialists were also on hand to assist the installation team at Church Gate Homes with specific advice on how to fit the slates in line with all relevant standards and requirements. Similarly, the installation team benefitted from the onsite support of leading roofing merchant, Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd. Burton Roofing’s team helped to ensure products were safely delivered to site when required and provided further technical assistance where necessary. “The roofing installation at ‘The View’ was very straightforward and the finished results look great,” commented Martin. “The CUPA PIZARRAS slates have provided a clean and tidy appearance, which fits well across all of the properties. What’s more, we were able to carry out the installation with very little waste, which further bolstered the product’s cost-effective and environmental credentials.” To this end, natural slate solutions also have the added benefit of requiring no chemical or heat treatments that need gas during their production. To ensure even greater environmental performance, CUPA PIZARRAS also endeavours to recycle all of its processing water via a closed circuit, and works to restore exhausted quarries by hydroseeding native plants and ensuring the natural recovery of the local flora and fauna. CUPA PIZARRAS has also been recognised and certified by the Carbon Trust as a carbon neutral company. This recognition highlights the company’s comprehensive effort in sustainability and makes it the first slate production company to achieve carbon neutrality within its operations. All properties at ‘The View’ were sold prior to the commencement of the development. Work at the site continues to progress with the project team working to complete the bespoke designs of its individual customers.  
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Aldi enhances trademark grey with a natural slate solution

Aldi enhances trademark grey with a natural slate solution

Cupa Pizarras

CUPACLAD 101 Logic was specified as part of the construction of a new Aldi store in Truro, Cornwall. The natural slate cladding product was chosen for an aesthetic that was entirely in-keeping with the surrounding Cornish town, as well as its impressive fire-resistant properties. Aldi tasked construction consultancy company Kendall Kingscott with designing and overseeing the creation of a new store in Garras Wharf, Truro. Kendall Kingscott became aware of CUPA PIZARRAS and its products after the slate provider presented a CPD to the team in their Bristol office. Keen to utilise the company’s natural slate products, Kendall Kingscott contacted its Technical Sales Manager for the South West, Stuart Black. “The team at Kendall Kingscott wanted to use natural slate for two reasons,” said Stuart. “Firstly, hanging slate cladding is very popular in the local area so specifying this material would allow the store to blend in with some of the surrounding buildings. Secondly, natural slate scores highly when it comes to fire resistance.” Consequently, Stuart recommended CUPACLAD Logic 101, which utilises natural slate. At 7.65mm thick, it is a robust slate product and is ideal for locations that regularly experience high winds and heavy rain. Furthermore, natural slate is classed as A1 non-combustible in accordance with the European standard EN 13501-1 – the highest possible fire rating.  Once the 150m2 of natural slate was delivered to site – it was installed by Spectrum Building Envelope & Facades. As is required for CUPACLAD Logic 101, the slates were fixed horizontally using self-drilling screws that have been specially designed to optimise installation. Post-application the screws are invisible, to ensure they do not detract from the natural slate’s appealing aesthetic.  Architect James Stanfield from Kendall Kingscott commented: “CUPA PIZARRAS worked closely with our design team to produce a bespoke solution that provides a sharp and contemporary public facing façade. “The slate provides texture and uniformity to the building frontage, which ties it into the local context. We were very pleased with the finish provided by CUPACLAD Logic 101 and how CUPA PIZARRAS helped to deliver the project and fulfil the brief.”  What’s more, thanks to its natural resistance and durability, slate does not lose its colour over time and it continues to perform. As such, it is maintenance free and guaranteed to last up to 100 years. 
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Heavy 3 slate used on scottish whisky distillery

Heavy 3 slate used on scottish whisky distillery

Cupa Pizarras

A number of pre-existing farm structures have been reconstructed using CUPA PIZARRAS Heavy 3 slate in order to house a new Scottish whisky distillery, Ardross. Existing stone and slate from the location’s original, dilapidated farm buildings were salvaged and reused to rebuild much of the walls and roof of the development. However, Heavy 3 was selected to maintain a uniform aesthetic where the original slate could not be re-used.
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Cupa pizarras’ slate chosen for luxury coastal properties

Cupa pizarras’ slate chosen for luxury coastal properties

Cupa Pizarras

CUPA PIZARRAS’ CUPA 18 natural slate has been used to achieve a high-quality finish on three luxury, modern, new build properties in one of the most desirable areas of Whitstable in Kent. The new properties, built by local property designer and developer specialist Kapra Developments, are located in Island Wall, Whitstable, close to both the town centre and the scenic Kent coastline. The three storey, five bedroom luxury properties are each in excess of 360 square metres and benefit from views over the nearby golf course.  The unique design of the houses features extensive use of dark grey aluminium glazing systems including rooftop lanterns and large sloping roof windows. The placement of the expansive glazing as well as the layout and orientation of the buildings was devised to maximize the natural light and make the most of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the CUPA 18 natural slate, the design also includes high quality natural timber cladding, sedum green roofing and natural stone blockwork. Kim Brown, Director at Kapra Developments explained: “For the properties on Island Wall, the quality of the materials was very important and the coastal location meant that a durable product was essential. We had used CUPA PIZARRAS’ products on previous projects and so we were confident that the CUPA 18 slate would provide the look, quality and longevity we wanted.” CUPA 18 is a lighter grey slate with a smooth matt surface and has a superior, homogenous finish with only minor variations allowed in the thickness and flatness of the slate. The slate roofs were installed by Bates (Kent), a family owned contractor based near Canterbury, who has worked with Kapra Developments on a number of previous projects. David Clarke, Company Secretary at Bates said: “The Island Wall properties presented a few complexities and challenges due to the steep pitch of the roof and the need to integrate the slate with the other elements such as the large format glazing.  “We’ve used CUPA products on a number of contracts and found the slates very easy to work with. The strength and quality of the slates means that we are able to reduce the amount of wastage compared with other products.” Kim Brown concluded: “To achieve the intended result for these properties has required hard work from everyone involved. We are once again delighted with CUPA PIZARRAS’ products and are pleased with how that element of the build has progressed.” CUPA PIZARRAS’ natural slate is sustainably extracted from quarries in northern Spain. It has an exceptional life span of 100 years and requires minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime.
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Plot A7, The Slate Yard, Salford

Plot A7, The Slate Yard, Salford

Kawneer UK Ltd

Architectural glazing systems by Kawneer featured on the third and final apartment building at The Slate Yard, which forms part of the wider £1 billion, 50-acre Salford Central masterplan.
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New Summer House, Riverstone Gruesa

New Summer House, Riverstone Gruesa

Spanish Slate Quarries UK Ltd

Riverstone Phyllite is SSQ’s signature slate; it is one of the few commercially accessible Phyllite stones in the world. Riverstone, Gruesa grade is a slate used for its quality and unconventional thickness of 12-15mm. Riverstone was recently selected to crown the picturesque Summer House residence, situated on the outskirts of Cheltenham, right in the heart of Gloucestershire. Working in close collaboration with Jonathan Rhind and Pete Thompson of Jonathan Rhind Architects, Ray Young and Richard Cook of SSQ recommended this signature slate to create this unusual roof. Visit our website to read more:

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