Slate is one of the most attractive and durable roofing materials in the world and comes from many different areas.  If you’re looking to replace your slate roof or start a new slate roofing project, it’s important to understand where your slate comes from and how it is sourced.  From Wales to Canada, slate is quarried and sourced and brought right here to Australia. Here’s how the top slate in the world is sourced and how you can choose the slate for your next project.

Quarrying

The first step in the slate sourcing process is locating the slate to quarry.  There are many existing slate quarries around the world, but eventually, a quarry will run out of slate and new slate quarries need to be created.  After finding a vein of slate, large pieces are broken off and set aside to be refined into smaller, more manageable pieces.

The large pieces are broken up at the quarry site so they can be easily transported off-site for further refinement.  It’s important that the pieces aren’t broken up into too small of pieces, or they won’t be able to be used for roofing and those pieces will go to waste.

Cutting

After the unrefined slate leaves the quarry site, it’s time for the slate to be cut into smaller pieces to be used for roofing.  Using diamond-tipped saws, large cutting machines cut the slate in precise lines so that they’re just slightly larger than a final piece of slate roofing.

Once the length and width are cut correctly, the final step in the cutting process is to make the top and the bottom of the slate sheet smooth.  Then the slate is progressed to the splitting phase in the production process.

Splitting

The splitting step of the slate manufacturing process is completed by highly-skilled craftsmen.  The slate is hand-split into halves that are twice the thickness of a final piece of slate. Those halves are then halved again.  It’s a very difficult and precise process that ends up damaging a lot of the slate, rendering most of it useless. The final slate pieces that make it through this process are then shipped out.

Shipping

Slate is then hand-packed on pallets to ensure none of the slates ends up damaged in the packing and shipping process.  While some damage can happen in transit, the hand-packing process is the best way to protect the slate while it’s being shipped.

Installing

The final, best step in the process is when your new slate roof is installed by the slate roofing professionals at Murnane Slate Roofing.  We employ the highest levels of care and precision while installing your new slate roof. The slate roofing process is painstaking and intricate, but the end results are more than worth it.  Your slate roof will look simply stunning with brand new slates – not to mention they will last for decades to come.

Murnane Slate Roofing

Sourcing, manufacturing, shipping, and installing slate roofing takes an incredible amount of skill and patience, so choosing the right team to install your roof is an important decision.  Since 1966, Murnane Slate Roofing has been installing new slate roofs and providing world-class slate roof restorations on heritage buildings across Australia.

We understand the importance of a slate roof project, which is why we will be with you every step of the way.  From the initial consultation to the final installation steps, the team at Murnane Slate Roofing is here for you.  If you’re interested in upgrading your existing roof to a high-quality slate roof, or need assistance restoring your existing slate roof, contact the team at Murnane Slate Roofing today.

Our team of experienced roofers specializes in all aspects of slate roofing, offering top-notch services such as slate roof installation, slate roof repairs in Melbourne, and the use of high-quality Welsh slate new tiles. From expert craftsmanship to attention to detail, we ensure your slate roof is installed or restored to perfection, guaranteeing long-lasting beauty and durability for your home.