Ffestiniog Welsh Slate Roofing
After being closed for more than a decade Ffestiniog Quarry is back in full production, due to the huge demand for Welsh slate here in the UK and worldwide, producing the world renowned Blue Grey roofing slate.
Ffestiniog produces a beautiful Blue Grey slate with a smooth riven texture.
Located in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, it has been producing slates from 1818 and was formed by the Ordovician slate beds laid down over 470 million years ago.
Ffestiniog Welsh Slate characteristically produces a thin uniformed slate with less texture than Cwt-y-Bugail, our quarry located nearby. Although without the immense capacity of its sister quarry at Penrhyn in Bethesda it is still able to produce large volumes of roofing slate.
Ffestiniog Welsh Slate comes in three thickness grades to suite your projects specific roofing needs.
WHICH GRADE OF FFESTINIOG WELSH SLATE DO YOU NEED?
Ffestiniog Welsh Slate roofing is available in three thickness grades: Capital, County, and Celtic. The thickness of the three specific grades is to suite the range of different roofing project requirements.
The majority of the production is focused on the core production sizes (500 x 300 mm, 400 x 250 mm and 300 x 200 mm) in three thickness grades; Capital (5.5 mm), County (7 mm), and Celtic (9mm) however, the quality of the stone will allow production of roofing slates in excess of 1 metre in length. Each grade of slate has a subtly differing character, but all have the intrinsic quality that makes Ffestiniog slate much sought after.
If you need help in understanding the precise benefits or which grade of Ffestiniog Welsh Slate roofing will provide your roofing project with the best solution, then please call us - we'll be happy to explain more.
Ffestiniog Capital Grade
Ffestiniog Capital Grade is the thinnest production at Welsh Slate Ffestiniog at 5.5 mm thick.
Only limited parts of our quarries will make this slate. With its smooth riven surface the thinness of the slate gives a flat uniform finish to the roof and was traditionally the material transported to the more distant markets such as London, continental Europe and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
Ffestiniog County Grade
Ffestiniog County Grade is the main production thickness at Welsh Slate Ffestiniog at 7 mm thick.
The surface texture is similar to the Capital Grade, but the slightly thicker leading edge gives more focus to the slate on the roof. Traditionally sold in the Midlands and North West of England it is now sold widely across the World.
Ffestiniog Celtic Grade
Ffestiniog Celtic Grade is the thickest of Welsh Slates Ffestiniog production at 9 mm.
As its name suggests its natural home is on the roofs of buildings facing the prevailing westerly winds in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The more textured surface and thicker leading edge give the slate a more rural appeal but the Celtic Grade slate does find its way into city centres where it can be used to make a statement: There is no doubt that this is a natural slate roof.
WHY FFESTINIOG WELSH SLATE FOR YOUR ROOF?
All Welsh Slate used in roofing is the very best quality, which is why it's guaranteed for 100 years and has a much greater life expectancy. So why choose Ffestiniog Welsh Slate?
Typically, if it comes to a choice between Penrhyn®, Cwt-y-Bugail and Ffestiniog slate, it boils down to the distinctive aesthetic qualities of the Ffestiniog slates. Their beautiful blue-grey colour with a fine smooth textured grain creates a beautiful roof which is capable of complimenting heritage and ultra modern architecture alike. The unique colours of Ffestiniog Welsh Slate, with its smooth grained texture, combined with a performance measured in centuries is why it adorns building roofs across the world.
FFESTINIOG WELSH SLATE ROOFING KEY FACTS
Ffestiniog Welsh Slate has been gracing the roofs of the world for centuries, however modern building regulations require quality standards which go beyond a performance measured in centuries.
Modern building regulations require quality standards which Ffestiniog Welsh Slate exceeds; gracing the roofs of the world with a performance measured in centuries.
Ffestiniog Welsh Slate...
exceeds the requirements for the British standard BS EN12326
absorbs less than 0.3% of water
has a high resistance to acid and alkali that helps keep its natural colour even in Ultra Violate light
it is non-combustible
it is compatible with all other building materials
Download this Roofing Brochure for a Comprehensive Guide to the Technical Requirements and Standards
Download Brochure
Latest News and Case Studies
Ffestiniog Quarry
THE WORLD RENOWNED FFESTINIOG BLUE GREY SLATE IS BACK IN FULL PRODUCTION
Formed by the Ordovician slate beds laid down over 470 million years ago. Ffestiniog Quarry has been producing slates from 1818
Ffestiniog Quarry
FROM FOGS TO FAME, WITH WELSH SLATE
Some 30,000 Ffestiniog Blue Grey slates were used for the reroof of the roof of the Central range, while Penrhyn Heather Blue slates were used by Mundy Roofing on the eastern and western ranges of London’s historic Kings Cross railway station.
Ffestiniog Quarry
ST MARTIN’S GOES BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH 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.
Ffestiniog Quarry
WELSH SLATE TOPS AN ICONIC GATEWAY TO EUROPE
Some 80,000 Ffestiniog 500mm x 300mm slates were installed on the roof of the Barlow Shed St Pancras Station as part of the station’s award-winning £380 million refurbishment.
Ffestiniog Quarry
WELSH SLATES HELP A NATIONAL MUSEUM WITH A NEW TOP HAT
Almost 150 years after work first started on its purpose-built home, the Netherland’s national museum is enjoying a new lease of life, thanks in part to Ffestiniog Welsh Slate.