Slate Roofing - Roof Slate Tiles from Sydney Supplier Bellstone

Roofing Slate is prestigious natural product with a proud history. Welsh Penrhyn Slate appears on the roofs of many of our finest civic buildings, churches and colonial homes. The demand for slate on contemporary buildings and homes is insatiable - a testament to its durability and status as a roofing material without peer.

"Welsh slate has been the superior roofing for Australian buildings since it was first brought here in 1829. All our most important historic monuments have slate roofs" - Clive Lucas OA, Senior Partner, Clive Lucas Stapleton Architects,

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Roof Slate Supplier Welsh Slate - Heather blue - Bellstone & Slate

Bellstone proudly distributes four of the finest roofing slates in the world from its base in Sydney and has done for over 20 years. The prince of slates is Welsh Penrhyn (see image right) cut from a quarry that is over 300 years old and is now the largest open cut slate quarry in the world. These slates are the preferred choice for heritage and contemporary roof restoration projects.

Bellstone also imports first choice roofing slate from the US (Vermont), Canada (Glendyne), China (Pattini) and a composite slate from the US (Inspire). All three roofing slates distributed by Bellstone meet or exceed ASTM S1, EN or NF standards. These slates have an estimated lifetime performance of at least 75 years. Inspire slates carry a 50 year warranty.

Roofing Slate Increases Property Values

Roofing slate increases in value with time; it appreciates like precious metals. Other building materials depreciate in value.

Slate will increase the value of a property; it is a scarce resource with limited reserves. A slate roof is a "collectible" investment. Slate removed from 150 year old buildings has good re-sale value for repair work. In most cases slate is replaced on old buildings because the battens and nails failed.

The value of homes with views and water frontages can all be improved by the use of slate. The higher the value of the land, the greater the impact a slate roof will make.

Welsh Slate's 100 Year Guarantee

This tough, durable and very beautiful slate is guaranteed by Welsh Slate (UK) for 100 years providing the slate is fixed in accordance with British & Australian standards – it is the only slate in the world to carry such a guarantee. The guarantee is individually written for each project by Welsh Slate subject to certain information being supplied and conditions being fulfilled.

Welsh Slate - link with Australian history

Welsh slate is no stranger to Australia, its first recorded use here was at the Rocks in Sydney around 1829. Slate from the Penrhyn and other Welsh quarries came to Australia as ballast on trading vessels that unloaded grain and wool cargoes in England during the colonial years.

Slate from the Penrhyn quarry is a magnificent product derived from the famed Cambrian period that was formed 590 millions years ago. In Europe, Welsh Penrhyn slate lasts 200+ years on roofs. In Australia under extraordinary heat loads, slate fixed to the roofs of houses built in the mid 1800s are still performing well as you can see from the historical Lilianfels, Katoomba home at right. Often, the supporting battens and nails fail long before the slate.

Slate Roofs - Cheapest of All

An independent UK study of different roofing materials revealed that if the cost of a roof is amortised over its expected life, slate roofs (with a capacity to last 100 years) were the cheapest of all.

"No form of economy is more delusive or more expensive in the long run, than to roof a house with inferior material, however cheap in the beginning" - The Slate Trades Journal ( UK) December, 1912.

Slate Roofs - Top 10 Reasons Why People Love Them! Spanish Black Slate

• 1. "They're prestigious and look stately"
• 2. "Slate is a natural material with no chemicals"
• 3. "Very durable - my slate roof will see me out and our kids as well"
• 4. "Never leaks and unaffected by salt air from the harbour"
• 5. "Slate doesn't fade like some of the roofs around us"
• 6. "Slate is non-combustible which is important for us because the fire risk with trees and leaves is worrying"
• 7. "Heritage buildings with slate roof haven't been affected by polluted air or heat"
• 8. "We love the moss that grows - it hasn't affected the slate so far, after 118 years"
• 9. "We architects like slate because of it's durability and versatility to different design needs"
• 10. "Ideal for heritage work because it is cost effective when its longevity is taken into account"