Adhesives and grout are essential products within the tiling industry, and here at UK Slate, we are providers of both. Each different adhesive has a specific use depending on what is required for the project.
We thought we would help you choose the right product for the right job by detailing the uses of each, helping you with your future tiling projects.
An adhesive is a substance used for sticking objects or materials together. Within the tiling industry, adhesives are used to adhere the tile to the relevant surface. What type of adhesive is required is dependent on the surface you’re tiling onto.
Grout is a substance used for filling crevices, most commonly gaps between wall or floor tiles. There are two types of grout:
At UK Slate, we have a range of adhesive and grout products to help you choose the perfect product for your project. Here, we will go through which products are used for different uses.
Here at UK Slate, our specialist adhesives and grouts are tailored for natural slate and stone flooring. If you would like to know more about our products and services, get in touch with us today by calling 015395 59289 or emailing info@slate.uk.com and we will be happy to help.
The Position: To win customer orders by dealing personally with enquiries from initial discussions, to negotiating prices and technical aspects of each enquiry, through to arranging delivery to the client. In time, the role involves all aspects of the business including procuring products and international logistics. The role is very varied and no two days are the same and can sometimes be “hands on” in order to ensure orders are dispatched to customer’s time expectations.
The Company: We specialise in the supply and distribution of Natural Slate products, sourced from domestic and foreign quarries. Predominantly, Roofing slate but also Flooring, Landscaping, and Bespoke manufactured products. In very basic terms – everything that can be made from slate or stone. Our customer base is well established with a national and international range of architects, developers, contractors and private individuals.
Timescale: Immediate Start – Full Time – Permanent Position
The Rewards: Competitive Package – Subject to Experience and Performance
The Location: Flookburgh, Grange Over Sands, LA11 7NG
The Ideal Candidate Must Have:
If you think this Internal Sales opportunity is for you or you wish to learn more about what the job entails, get in touch with UK Slate by emailing us on sales@slate.uk.com
Not only does slate look great on the roof of your home, it also looks just as good as a present in someone’s stocking at Christmas.
Of course, a blank piece of slate wouldn’t make a particularly impressive gift, but there are some cool ways you can personalise and decorate it to make for a wonderful present. To help give you some inspiration for some bespoke, handmade slate Christmas presents, here are five quirky ideas.
1.Wall Plaques
Slate wall plaques are a great gift idea as they can be personalised in so many ways and look great both indoors and outdoors. Better yet, they are durable so will stand the test of time. Simply drill a hole in the top left and top right of the plaque and thread some rope through to hang it from. You can then decorate it with paint, charcoal or even inscribe a message. Some even choose to shape the slate itself into a love heart for a more romantic present.
2. Picture Frame
This may take a bit more skill but will look beautiful once complete. Alternatively, you can print the picture almost directly onto the slate for a unique finish. The process is a bit tricky to explain, so here’s a useful video on how to do it.
3. Cheese Board
Seriously, who doesn’t love cheese? It’s the perfect way to finish a great evening meal, and a handmade slate cheeseboard is a beautiful way to present the cheeses. It’s also a very simple thing to make. You will just need to shape the slate to however you like it, and then add in any optional writing or decoration to the board.
4.Coasters
Slate coasters are hard wearing, easy to clean and a practical thing to have lying around the home. Again, you can tailor the exact design of the coasters to the person you’re gifting it to. Just check out these wonderful family coaster sets made from slate.
5. Place Mats
If you’re going to go for the coasters, then you may as well add in some placemats to finish off the set. A beautiful wooden dining table laid out with blue slate coasters and placemats really would look great.
The sorts of gifts you can create using slate is truly limited only by your imagination. It’s time to get your craft set out and be creative. Once you’re done, you can get ready for the fun part. Seeing the face of your loved ones light up on Christmas day when they receive something so personal and thoughtful is the best part of it all.
Getting hold of slate is normally pretty easy, or you may even have some left over if you’ve decided to refit missing parts of your roof. We distribute slate all across the UK and would be happy to supply you with any you may need. For help finding the perfect variety, contact us today.
Tucked away in the quiet village of Cartmel in Cumbria is what was once an old council shed used to store trucks and steamrollers that were used to repair the local roads. Over time, the shed fell out of use, and, in 2010, was bought by a forward-thinking couple living just next door.
Rachel and Ian had originally planned to use it for storage; however, the building was deteriorating badly and needed a lot of work. Instead, the couple opted to give the building a new life as holiday accommodation that is fittingly now known as the Old Roller Shed.
The couple completely renovated the Old Roller Shed. The old, wooden doors were replaced by modern aluminium and glass doors that let the natural light flood in to make the space seem even bigger and brighter. An open plan kitchen-diner, living room and bathroom on the ground floor are connected to a generously sized and gorgeous master bedroom on a new mezzanine that is accessed up a floating steel staircase.
One of the main benefits of natural stone is the unique markings and finish that they provide. The Old Roller Shed features the gorgeous deep coloured and subtly marked Ravendale Graphite Riven slate tiles, accompanied with underfloor heating for an extra touch of luxury. These tiles were installed in the sitting room and kitchen-diner area, and their durability and robustness will guarantee years of guests admiring without tarnishing or discolouring.
Not only did the interior of the Old Roller Shed need replacing and renovating, the exterior needed a lot of attention too. The first step was to replace the old woodwork before turning their attention to the roof. The once crumbled and sad-looking roof was replaced with gorgeous, locally sourced Burlington Blue Grey Slates.
Burlington Blue Grey slates have been quarried in the Lake District for more than 300 years from deposits that were formed over 330 million years ago. These slate tiles have a unique texture and tone that looks simply incredible as a finishing touch to any traditional or modern property.
We have been involved in a number of residential projects where slate has had a chance to shine, such as the Old Roller Shed and the Peacock House, and we love to see a property refurbished and flourishing! Our slate tiles are perfect for a variety of applications, so you can rest assured that you’ll always find exactly what you need for your home with us.
To find out how we can help your home or business premises to look and feel great, contact us today!
While fireplaces were initially a necessity for when the house became chillier in the winter months, in the more modern day it is also used for relaxation, style and to create ambience. So, when the summer sun has set and we are getting ready for the cosy winter nights in, a fireplace can make our evenings just a little bit more special.
Someone keen to add an aura of elegance to their home may be looking to add a fireplace to the room and, while there are plenty of choices out there, there is nothing quite like a slate fireplace.
They make for the perfect snug space, making it irresistible to grab a good book, a cup of tea and settle in for a truly relaxing evening.
Modern day interiors and designs can sometimes seem a bit clean cut and not quite to your taste; however, a slate fire can come in both modern and traditional styles.
With both a contemporary yet rustic aesthetic to it, a slate fireplace can serve its purpose in many different spaces. It can fit into a modern-styled interior as well as a more classically-designed area, all the while looking like it was meant to fit there and creating a snug and elegant style.
If you ever decide to change up your interior design, you don’t have to worry about your slate fireplace or hearth, as it will naturally fit into any new interior.
Anything from floral wallpaper to metallic tile or even clean white painted walls; whatever your interior preference, your slate fire is there to stay!
Slate not only looks stupendous as part of your interior design but it also does its job perfectly. Due to the material’s thermal stability and chemical inertness, slate has been used for centuries for many kinds of heat-related things.
Slate is an excellent choice for a fireplace, since in its natural form it is not only fire resistant but extremely energy efficient as well. This means you don’t have to worry about safety considerations or your utility bill.
Of all the materials to choose your hearth to be made from, slate tiles themselves are completely fire proof, meaning you don’t have to worry about you and your family’s safety, leaving you to enjoy the atmosphere by the fire in relaxation.
One of the great hallmarks of slate is that it’s extremely easy and fuss-free to install in your home. When it comes to ordering and installing a slate fire hearth, an expert in the industry will usually work closely with you. At UK Slate, we certainly do.
Whatever the space you install it in, a slate fire can work around your requirements and the area you have to work with.
While slate is also extremely sturdy and unlikely to get damaged, if an incident or damage does occur, the costs for repairs are also extremely low. In certain instances, that small piece of slate can be replaced instead of the entire fire, avoiding any expensive replacements.
Unlike a standard electric or gas fire which you pick up in any store, a slate hearth can be much more unique and bespoke.
Every hearth supplied is crafted and tailored to every customers requirements and vision, meaning you have your very own custom product that is special and unique to you and your home. We don’t believe that one-size-fits-all when it comes to interior design, so we will change and adapt the size, style and design to match your room, meaning that, no matter what, it will fit effortlessly.
While the leaves are still falling and winter isn’t quite here, now is the perfect time to make your home even more cosy and comfy, ready to relax for some dark mornings and stress-free nights in.
We would love to hear your thoughts on how you would like your slate hearth to be designed. Additionally, we offer a wide variety of slate for other purposes, such as natural slate flooring and slate roof tiles.
So please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at UK Slate who would be more than happy to transform your ideas into reality.
Slate is a fantastic material which has been used for construction for many years and which has formed on ocean floors around 360 to 544 million years ago when the earth was incredibly volcanic! This material is chemically resistant, waterproof, and non-combustible, making it fantastic for roofing tiles or for artistic use; there is a wealth of amazing art work consisting of slate out there, but what made artists choose this stone in particular
James Parker Sculptures
We cannot mention slate artwork without the name James Parker. He created his first slate sculpture in 2007, and has since held numerous exhibitions to present his incredible artwork. He has created several pieces of breath-taking art using slate, from a large slate sphere sculpture, to a slate cone, you can view these sculptures through his gallery.
For one of his projects, we supplied James with our Vermont Structural Unfading Green slate, creating his Apple sculpture. This beautiful slate sculpture portrays the simplicity of the art, with slate offering texture which many materials do not.
There are various ways to display art, and Welsh Slate did just this with their slate, providing materials for flower shows at Chelsea, Hampton Court, and Tatton Park. Their slate provided a beautiful decoration, capturing the eye.
Slate has been used to create truly amazing slate sculptures! One of the most famous is from British sculptor Stephen Kettle who, working with thin pieces of stone slate, created a 1.5-ton slate sculpture of Alan Turing that truly shows the amazing flexibility of slate. Located at Bletchy Park, the sculpture took 18 months to complete, and the detail it brings to the eye is mesmerising. His other sculpting work includes figures, busts, and animals.
These are just a few examples of the art created by such a durable material, emphasising the many amazing uses slate has! Here at UK Slate, we know this natural stone can be used in many ways you didn’t know possible, so, if you would like to find out more information about our slate products and services, get in touch with a member of our team today and we will be happy to help!
The UK has stunning natural slate scenery, with many mines located in the Lake District. Slate beds were laid down in the Lake District approximately 350 million years ago, with some signs of prehistoric quarrying being present, although there is no solid evidence. In Roman times, slate was used for building construction and, in Medieval times, there are references to works conducted at a slate quarry in Sadgill, Longsleddale in 1283. Kirkby-in-Furness also shows evidence of quarrying around the 1400s, although records only began in the 1600s.
The Lake District is well-known for its stunning views, amazing flora, and wonderful fauna. Visited by 18 million people every year, the impact of tourism on a site with such natural beauty has been a real concern. With its recent World Heritage Site status, the natural beauty that includes slate mines is now being protected for future generations to enjoy.
Quarrymen have noticed that beds of slate manifest in parallel throughout the Lake District, with different beds having different colourings. These colours can include dark grey, light green, and silver grey. In addition to Honister Slate Mine in Cumbria, there are other sites in the Lake District that have provided different coloured slate for decades.
As it became the UK’s and overseas territories’ 31st location to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, its 885 square miles will see tourism and tourism’s impact controlled for conservation purposes. Home to England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, and highest mountain, Scafell Pike, the Lake District provides an important part of the world’s cultural and natural wealth.
Combining archaeological structures and sites, farming history, and some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the UK, the Lake District has seen writers and poets such as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth take inspiration in its greenery.
Slate was mined in Yew Crag Slate Mine in Borrowdale until 1966, when safety concerns stopped the mining. This mine is old and extensive, with nine separate closeheads having been mined for slate. There is a long incline tramway on the surface of Yew Crag Slate Mine, built in 1879 when the incline needed the control and counterbalance.
Located at the foot of Langdale Valley, Elterwater Quarry has beautiful views of the Langdale Pikes. This quarry has been worked since, approximately, the middle of the 19th century. Green slate aggregates can be found here.
Found on Kirkby Moor, above the Kirkby-in Furness village, this quarry has been operational for more than 400 years. Blue slate aggregates can be found at this quarry, which has been used for roofing, flooring, walling, and much more. The quarry is thought to have been formed in the Silurian period, between approximately 300 and 350 million years ago.
There has been no work conducted at Tilberthwaite Slate Quarries for decades, and nature has now reclaimed the quarries. One such quarry is Hodge Close, which was worked on between the 19th century and the early 1960s. Containing light green slate, the worked depth reached 300 feet. In present days, divers find this to be a popular site.
Here at UK Slate, we have a wide range of slate roof tiles, floor slates, and landscaping and architectural slate options that are sure to fit any of your projects. Simply get in touch with our friendly team on 015395 59289 and we’ll be more than happy to help.
We know just how versatile slate is and how many applications it can be used in. Whether you are using it inside or outside the home, it can play an important role in the look of your design. One of our favourite things about slate is the number of shades you can find it in, from nearly white greys, to deep dark greys and everything in between (all of which you can find in the Lake District too). So how will you work slate into your colour scheme?
Mellow Yellow
Yellow, white and black
This is a popular look at the moment and gives a monochromatic scheme something a little bit extra with a pop of colour. It’s often best to pair this look with a deeper shade of grey, such as the Ravendale Graphite Tumbled, which can be laid as flooring, allowing you to use the rest of the colour palette in soft furnishings, walls and furniture.
Varying shades of blue
Blue is a calming colour that can be perfect for rooms such as the bathroom where you want to be able to relax. By matching up varying shades of blue with slate floor tiles, you can create a tranquil look. The Ashdale Grey Riven is a perfect tile for this colour scheme as it contains hints of blue/green, tying it perfectly with your design.
Image from our case study of Peacock House, Aldeburgh
Soft Roses
White, pinks and peaches
You can achieve a soft and feminine look by matching lighter greys with soft pink and peach tones. This is a perfect look for the bedroom as it allows for a simple aesthetic that is still very pretty. You may choose not to use slate flooring in the bedroom, but a bespoke slate hearth could be perfect to give the room a touch of warmth.
Plum, maroon and brown
There is something rather regal about this colour scheme, and you could even add a little gold to really create a royal look! This would be a fantastic look for a dining room, using slate placemats and matching with a natural wood table. Add some soft furnishings which feature colours such as plum, maroon and wine red, and you have a beautiful look.
Reds, yellows, purples or any colour you can think of!
While grey can be perfect for monochromatic colour schemes, it can also work with bright colours, and it looks fantastic! This is a great look for a kitchen where you can use natural slate worksurfaces and take advantage of the innate colours of fruit and vegetables, using the reds of apples, the greens of limes and even the purples of aubergines!
As a high-quality material for construction, slate is ideal for any project you wish to undertake within your home. This stone provides a sophisticated look, fitting perfectly with your interior or exterior design. The UK has stunning locations with natural slate deposits, which provide this stone for not only the UK but also for the entire world.
So, which wonderful locations in the UK have natural slate deposits?
Castle Crag, Lake District
Located in the Lake District, Castle Crag is a hill in the North Western Fells and the only Wainwright below 1,000 feet, or 300 metres. It’s also the smallest hill in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. A humble 1 ½ mile walk from the village of Grange will take you to the summit, where you will be able to enjoy the panoramic views of the Lake District.
Thought to have been an ancient hill fort, the summit of Castle Crag provides a stunning view. There is a rock outcrop of a height of approximately eight feet by a width of twelve feet. At the very top, you’ll find a circular cairn built from slate and a memorial to the Borrowdale men that were killed in World War I fixed to the outcrop.
The village Grange also has cottages made from slate, providing quite a striking view when it snows. This picturesque scenery will have smoke coming out of the slate chimneys during the colder months, adding to the local charm.
Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Wales
In the mountains of Snowdonia, there is a wonderful slate formation that has been shaping communities and families for generations. The story of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns started 500 million years ago with mud and clay deposits on an ancient seabed. Both Romans, in the first century AD, and medieval kings used slate to shore up their defences.
The Industrial Revolution increased the demand for slate, with the Welsh industry employing 17,000 and, by the end of the 19th century, half a million tonnes of slate was being extracted per year and being exported all over the world.
Both the Deep Mine Tour and the Quarry Explorer are experiences you can take part in to see this natural slate marvel. The caverns are accessed by Britain’s steepest cable railway, taking you to depths of 500 feet, or 150 metres.
Cathedral Cavern, Little Langdale
Little Langdale has been a place for mining and quarries over the past several hundred years, especially for its copper and slate. Hodge Close’s quarries had extensive workings done, alongside Tiberthwaite and the mines at the southern slopes of Wetherlam.
The Cathedral Quarries are composed of a small network of quarries inter-linked together, a remnant of green slate quarries. The main chamber, the ‘Cathedral’, is a 40-foot, or 12-metre, high chamber with great acoustics.
To access the Cathedral Cavern, you walk over a 16th-century slate bridge called Slaters Bridge, which was used by workers in the slate mines. One of the more impressive parts of the Cavern is the big slate blade at the end of the entrance tunnel, helping the ceiling to stay up and not collapse.
Honister Slate Mine, Cumbria
Found in the heart of the Lake District, Honister Pass is the home for the production of Westmorland Green Slate. This slate is a 450 million-year-old material has been extracted at Honister for centuries. Slate used to be carried from Honister and Yew Crags for over 100 years from the early 1700s through sledge routes, which to this day can still faintly be seen.
Today, Honister offers a wide range of adventures that allow you to either go deep into the mine or to climb the mine. And if you can’t decide, an all day pass will let you enjoy the experience for six hours and breathe in the historical slate area.
Here at UK Slate we know all about high-quality slate and how important it is for your home, which is why we provide an expert service that allows you to use slate for a wide variety of uses. Whether you’re looking for roofing, flooring, landscaping, or a bespoke slate solution, you can get in touch with our team to know more about our services.
