Chinese Roof Slate, Black Slate Roof Tiles 500x250x5-7mm, £11.65/m2
Chinese Roofing Slate, Black Slate Roof Tiles 600x300x5-7mm, £11.95/m2
Chinese Slate Roof Tiles, Blue Grey Roof Slate 610x305x7-9mm, £12.95/m2
Chinese Slate Roof Tiles, Blue Grey Roof Slate 508x254x7-9mm, £12.65/m2
Roofing slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. It is the finest grained foliated metamorphic rock. Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression.
As one of the earliest exporters of roofing slate in China, Westone Stone Group began exporting roofing slate to the UK since 1997. However, we must clarify that China no longer produces roofing slate that meets the EN 12326 A1 T1 S1 standards. This is primarily due to the 5%-25% calcium carbonate content in Chinese slate.
A pronounced foliation in slate is known as slaty cleavage. It develops under intense compression, which causes fine-grained clay minerals to realign and regrow in planes perpendicular to the pressure. When expertly split along these planes in the quarry using specialised tools, the slate separates into smooth, flat sheets—materials that have been valued for centuries in roofing, flooring, and many other applications.
Chinese slate roofing tiles—available in classic blue-grey or deep black—are sourced from premium slate beds in China using modern extraction techniques. Each tile is hand-split by skilled craftsmen to achieve uniform thickness and texture, then carefully hand-cut and pre-holed to allow straightforward installation on roofs.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 400 x 250, 450 x 250, 500 x 250, 610 × 305, slate & half
- Thickness: 4–6, 5–7, 7–9 mm
- Fine natural riven surface with very flat, natural tonal variation
- Dimensions and flatness are superbly consistent
- Pre-holed for rapid fixing
- Weathered appearance achievable over time
- One of the most economical options in the Westone® slate range
Technical Notes
Chinese slate meets EN 12326 A1 / T1 / S1-S3 standards due to its > 20% calcium carbonate content.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 400 x 250, 450 x 250, 500 x 250, 610 × 305, slate & half |
| Thickness | 4–6, 5–7, 7–9 mm |
| Surface Texture | Fine natural riven |
| Colour | Blue grey or black with a consistent, even tone |
| Installation | Hand-cut edges, pre-holed |
| Compliance | EN 12326 A1/T1/S1-S3 |
| Calcium Carbonate | >20% |
Why Choose Westone Chinese Roofing Slate?
With over 28 years of exporting slate to the UK, Westone’s Chinese slate offers a balance of craftsmanship and affordability. While it may not be suitable for extreme frost conditions or chemically harsh environments, it has proven to perform reliably in all of England and Wales. Its natural beauty, consistent quality, and ease of installation make it particularly well suited for traditional-style roofing projects where both cost and aesthetics are important.
Since 1997, we have exported this type of slate to the UK, and today the majority of Chinese roofing slate on the market is of this variety—demonstrating the strong and ongoing demand. That said, we are aware that some suppliers claim this product has fully passed all S1 frost resistance tests. We do not believe it can genuinely achieve this standard, and therefore we have chosen to suspend our imports of this product.