WHAT IS NATURAL SLATE? WHY USE CUPA PIZARRAS NATURAL SLATE? HISTORY OF NATURAL SLATE IN SCOTLAND PRODUCTION PROCESS CASE STUDIES QUALITY STANDARDS GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS QUALITY ASSURANCE WHAT MAKES A GOOD ROOFING SLATE SLATING TERMINOLOGY CUPA PIZARRAS corporate headquarters in Spain CUPA PIZARRAS is the world leader in the sale and manufacture of natural slate. The Group has its origins in a company called Cupire Padesa which was founded in 1892. Their aim was to develop their quarries and produce the best quality roofing slate in Spain. The boom in natural slate turned this small business into...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE Slate is derived from fine-grained sediments such as mud or occasionally volcanic ash laid down millions of years ago in layers known as bedding. As the pile of sediments thickened, the original open structure of the mud was compacted into a mudstone or shale. These rocks are easily split on the bedding planes and are referred to as flagstones. However, for a slate to form, subsequent intense geological forces associated with mountain building are required, during which the minerals present in the original mudstone are metamorphosed. Some minerals, such as quartz grains, are...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE Not all natural slates are equally durable. Heavy 3 can last over a hundred years, making it a very cost effective roofing material. A poor quality roof needs constant repair and maintenance, but when good quality slate is used, not only the cost of re-roofing can be effectively discounted, but the repair and maintenance expenses during its lifetime are extremely low. Hence the use of Heavy 3 slate results in very low whole life cost. Heavy 3 is also more cost effective than concrete or ceramic tiles, which typically last approximately 50 years. Other characteristics...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE HISTORY OF NATURAL SLATE IN SCOTLAND PRODUCTION PROCESS SLATE HAS BEEN USED AS A ROOFING MATERIAL THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND SINCE THE MIDDLE AGES. QUARRIES WERE LOCATED IN SEVERAL AREAS, OF WHICH THE MOST IMPORTANT WERE: Easdale and the surrounding Slate Islands south of Oban. BaNachulish, near the southern end of the Great Glen. Highland Boundary: a series of quarries on a line from Arran to Dunkeld. 1. SLATE DEPOSIT Prior to the extraction of slate from a quarry, CUPA PIZARRAS carries out a full site investigation to determine the geological and geotechnical properties of...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE Heavy 3 Natural Slates are available in the following sizes: • Heavy 3 slate is quarried from the CUPA PIZARRAS No3 quarry in San Pedro de Trones (León) in northern Spain. This quarry has been in operation since 1892 and produces around 25,000 tonnes each year. • The slate is dark-grey with a slightly gritty texture, and in some samples well defined parallel lines are clearly visible on the cleavage surfaces. • Another obvious feature of the slate is the presence of metallic cubes approximately 2mm in size. Sometimes these cubes are randomly distributed throughout the...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE PORTAVADIE MARINA, LOCH FYNE • Set in a man-made lagoon, situated on Loch Fyne, Portavadie Marina is one of the UK most modern marinas, with deepwater, sheltered berthing and stunning purpose built facilities. Situated just a few miles to the north of the Isle of Arran, Portavadie Marina is handily positioned amidst the beautiful cruising grounds of Loch Fyne and is ideally located to give access to the Firth of Clyde and some of the finest sailing waters in the world. • Restaurants, bars, accommodation and 230 berths make this destination great for yachters, walkers...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE ARDGARTAN HOTEL, LOCH LONG • The history of this beautiful part of the West of Scotland beside the shores of Loch Long as a leisure destination begins in 1936 when a mansion and 70 acres of countryside were acquired for use as a youth hostel and recreational land in the newly created Argyll national forest park. Since then, this location has been popular with travelers who want to enjoy the famous Scottish scenery. • In 2009 the old youth hostel was demolished and in 2012 the Lochs & Glens Holiday company completed the construction of a new 124 bed, four storey hotel....

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE DRUM OF GARVOCK DUNNING • Designed for a prominent client, the mission was to provide a home of distinction, whilst closely following the previous building’s footprint. • Drum of Garvock is conceived as a series of living spaces linked from a cylindrical drum. • With over 30,000 sq.ft of living accommodation which is linked vertically via the drum and horizontally via the entrance hall. • The hall is modulated and enlivened by a series of perforations and narrower spaces opening up to a light filled break-out and display space. • In the absence of quality Scottish slate,...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE BALHOUSIE CASTLE PERTH • The origins of Balhousie Castle are said to date back to the 12th century. Originally an L-shaped tower house what we see today is the central section, possibly dating from the 17th century. In its present form, the Castle dates from the 1860s. • During the Second World War, the property was used by the Auxiliary Training Service as the Officers Quarters. After the War, it housed a detachment of Royal Army Service Corps and the Headquarters, Highland District, Corps of Royal Engineers. • In 2008 The Black Watch Heritage Appeal was launched to...

HEAVY 3 | A ROOF FOR LIFE TRINITY PARK CALA HOMES EDINBURGH • This much sought after suburb of Edinburgh combines a village atmosphere with all the advantages of being located right in the heart of the Scottish capital. • Trinity Park is a place where glorious architectural tradition meets modern-day inspiration, with a limited release of 81 homes. • Showcasing an eclectic mix of Georgian inspired Edinburgh villas, mews and spacious apartments, which cleverly combining neo-classical influences with contemporary design excellence. • Heavy 3 premium credentials, its unparallel quality and likeness...