SSQ Natural Slate

29/10/2026

Slate Roofs & Condensation

As a supplier of premium natural slate, we know that this material is unrivaled for its durability and timeless aesthetic. However, because slate is a dense, impermeable material, managing moisture within the roof structure is critical to ensuring that longevity.

With the updated BS 5250:2021 standards, the requirements for protecting your timber and preventing interstitial condensation have evolved. To get the best out of your slate roof, here is what you need to keep in mind:

🔹 Don’t skip the Batten Space: Even with "breathable" membranes, natural slate often requires a 25mm ventilated void created with counter-battens to allow moisture to escape effectively.

🔹 Cold Roof Requirements: Ensure a minimum of 25,000 mm²/m at the eaves and 5,000 mm²/m at the ridge to maintain constant airflow.

🔹 Warm Roof Precision: For insulation at the rafter level, a flawless Vapour Control Layer (VCL) is your best defense against moisture buildup.
We provide the world’s finest slate, but its performance depends on the system behind it. Getting the specification right today prevents costly repairs and structural damage tomorrow.

If you want to know more about how to protect your project and meet the latest standards, read here: If you want to know more about how to protect your project and meet the latest standards, read here: https://www.ssqgroup.com/condensation-risk-and-ventilation-under-slate-roofs-what-bs-5250-now-expects

Discover the importance of BS 5250 ventilation for slate roofs and how it ensures optimal performance and longevity with our essential insights.

28/10/2026

𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧

Our Royal Institute of British Architects and RIAI approved Why Specify Slate CPD is designed to provide invaluable insights into the world of slate roofing.

During this session, you'll learn how to guarantee a flawless slate roof, uncover the secrets of successful specification, and navigate the challenges of unusual roof designs. We'll also cover how to avoid defective slate, understand the difference between CE-tested and true quality slate, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Additionally, the CPD explores the specification of random coursed roofing slates, the pros and cons of hook versus nail fixing, the environmental advantages of natural slate, and best practices for heritage roofing projects.

Whether you're an architect, specifier, or roofing professional, this session will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

To book your place, simply fill out the form here:
https://www.ssqgroup.com/contact/book-a-cpd?inf_contact_key=00459a2bd9972f5ddb290bb2d4f8f453842e902fbefb79ab9abae13bfcb46658

22/10/2026

🔨 Project Spotlight: Orchard Bank, Edinburgh

We're taking a look back at one of our completed projects at Orchard Bank in Edinburgh.

📏 Project Size: 130m²
🪨 Product Installed: Riverstone Heavy 40x25
👷 Roofing Contractor: Bain and Irvine

This project is a great example of how expert craftsmanship and premium materials can create a roof that not only looks exceptional but is built to deliver long-term performance and reliability.

Have a roofing project you'd like to discuss? Get in touch with our team.

https://www.ssqgroup.com/products/riverstone

20/10/2026

Project Spotlight: La Gemme Estate, Mittagong

We're delighted to showcase La Gemme Estate, a premium residential project completed in Mittagong, New South Wales in December 2025.

The property features SSQ Spanish Del Carmen Slate, selected for its exceptional aesthetic qualities and ability to complement the high-end architectural design of the home.

One of the most eye-catching features of the project is the combination of natural slate with Nordic Brown copper dormers, creating a distinctive and elegant roofline.

Project Team:
• Main Contractor: Red Stag Building
• Roofing Contractor: Heritage Roofing Group Pty Ltd
• Slate Supplier: Premier Slate Products

Natural slate remains one of the world's most sought-after roofing materials, combining beauty, durability and long-term performance for generations to come.

15/10/2026

In Kaunas, Lithuania, a city with a rich history and well known for its cultural creativity and architectural style, our Domiz natural slate has been adding a unique look to some new-build residential properties.

For this project where the architect and project developer stressed the importance of durable, eye-catching façade design, SSQ supplied our Domiz slate.

Domiz is quarried from the Cabrera Mountains in North-West Spain, where it is then hand split especially for us. This distinctive slate has a grey finish with blue-grey overtones and deep bold texture and has achieved BS EN 12326 “W1-T1-S1” classification as well as complying with the rigorous Norm Français (NF228).

The slate is extremely popular across continental Europe and as you can see from the images, it looks and works just as well on cladding facades as it does on roofs.

Call us: +44(0) 20 8961 7725
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.ssqgroup.com/products/domiz

14/10/2026

Uncalibrated stone is an excellent material for cladding a building exterior. Usually viewed as a roofing material, uncalibrated stone has some excellent properties and can be used for cladding, flooring, and decorative purposes. Natural stone is attractive, weather resistant, durable, and fireproof, making it the perfect choice for cladding a building's façade.

Call us: +44(0) 20 8961 7725
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.ssqgroup.com/products/cladding-stone

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13/10/2026

Visit SSQ at the Harrogate Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2026

We're pleased to announce that John Haycock and the SSQ team will be exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show Harrogate on 30 October - 1 November 2026. Come and see us on Stand A113.

Whether you're building your dream home, renovating a period property, extending your existing home or specifying roofing and cladding materials, our team will be on hand to help.

You'll be able to:
• View our extensive natural slate range
• Discuss heritage and conservation roofing projects
• Explore contemporary cladding solutions
• Bring project drawings for quotation advice
• Get answers to all your slate roofing questions

Doors open at 10:00am and we look forward to welcoming visitors throughout the weekend.

Book your tickets here: https://registration.homebuildingshow.co.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=HoNA6Consumer

08/10/2026

Ide Hill Passivhaus Project: A Benchmark for Sustainable Roofing

The Ide Hill Passivhaus Project in Kent demonstrates how natural slate roofing can contribute to some of the highest standards of residential energy performance.

Specified with SSQ Del Carmen Ultra slate and a Riverstone Ultra Phyllite ridge system, the roof formed a key part of a carefully designed building envelope focused on thermal efficiency, airtightness and longevity.

The project included:
• Highly insulated roof construction with a ventilated build-up
• Counter battens and slating battens for optimum performance
• Precision detailing around complex roof features
• An exceptional airtightness result of 0.205 h⁻¹ @ 50Pa

Outstanding project delivered by: Raven Roofing Supplies, Redwing Roofing , Watts Construction Ltd

Natural slate's long lifespan, low embodied carbon and minimal maintenance requirements make it an outstanding choice for environmentally conscious construction projects.

https://www.ssqgroup.com/case-studies/ide-hill-passivhaus-natural-slate-roofing-energy-efficiency

07/10/2026

💡Saffron House: Pushing the Boundaries of Natural Slate Design

Located in St Ives, Cornwall, Saffron House demonstrates how natural slate can be used far beyond traditional roofing applications.

Designed for a challenging coastal environment, the project required a bespoke low-pitch roofing solution to accommodate roof pitches of 22.5°, 16° and 12°, reducing to just 7° in some areas.

Using SSQ Riverstone Phyllite Ultra, the project incorporated:
• More than 3,700 slates across the roof
• Over 3,400 slates used as vertical cladding
• A bespoke low-pitch specification developed with Permavent
• A continuous slate envelope connecting roof and walls

A job very well executed by the project team - jacobdown : architect, Symonds Construction Ltd and Bosworth Roofing

By combining innovative roofing technology with premium natural slate, the project delivers exceptional weather resistance, striking contemporary aesthetics and long-term durability in one of the UK's most demanding coastal locations.

https://www.ssqgroup.com/case-studies/saffron-house-st-ives-low-pitch-slate-roofing-vertical-cladding

06/10/2026

📣𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘

Designing a Low-Pitch Roof? Natural Slate May Still Be the Answer

One of the most common challenges architects and specifiers face is balancing low roof pitches with planning requirements, heritage considerations and premium design aspirations.

Traditionally, natural slate performs best on steeper roofs, where water quickly runs off the surface. On lower pitches, additional challenges such as capillary action, wind-driven rain and increased water dwell time must be carefully addressed.

However, with the right design approach, natural slate can still deliver outstanding results.
Important considerations include:
✔ Larger headlaps and adjusted batten gauges
✔ Enhanced underlay protection
✔ Wind-resistant fixing methods
✔ Careful assessment of local exposure conditions
✔ High-quality slate with excellent dimensional consistency

Products such as SSQ Riverstone Phyllite and Del Carmen Slate are specifically suited to demanding low-pitch applications thanks to their flatness, durability and exceptionally low water absorption.

The result is a roof that delivers both long-term performance and the timeless appearance only natural slate can provide.

📕Read the full article: https://www.ssqgroup.com/low-pitch-slate-roof-details-and-solutions

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