The long-lasting Matacouta natural slate

Matacouta, renowned for its durability and thickness, is an ideal choice for withstanding the occasionally challenging weather conditions of the Scottish climate. Its robust and enduring nature aligns seamlessly with the organic design elements found in many traditional Scottish architectural styles, making Matacouta an outstanding natural slate product.

Features & Benefits:
• Colour : Blue/Black
• Material : Natural Slate
• Will not fade in colour
• Strong and long-lasting for harsh Scottish climate
• Up to 100 year guarantee
• Every piece of Matacouta slate comes from the Matacouta quarry in North-West Spain

Certification:
• BS EN 12326
• W1-T1-S1

Download the Matacouta brochure

See it at the source

At Matacouta, the name is the address. If you want to see the operation in person, you’re more than welcome to visit – and in fact, we organise regular trips to show our appreciation to our fantastic clients.

A huge Spanish slate quarry in Spain.
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Accepted by the best

Matacouta has a gorgeous deep blue-black colour, and a naturally riven texture that’s totally unique to the quarry from where the slate takes its name. The distinctive colour is completely natural and devoid of artificial pigments – which means it won’t fade even when exposed to the harshest environments. Matacouta looks so authentic, in fact, that it’s been accepted for use on several listed buildings by Heritage Scotland.

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Slate that can last as much as a century

If it’s properly installed, Matacouta slate is the some of the longest-lasting you’ll find anywhere. In fact, we’re so confident in its ability to perform for decades on end that we guarantee our Ultra-grade Matacouta Heavy slate for 100 years. With that kind of lifespan, your Matacouta roof may even outlive the building its installed on.

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  • Discuss Your Project
  • Request a Sample
  • Booking a CPD
  • Resources
  • Discuss Your Project

    Discuss Your Project

    Just fill in the form below, and a member of our experienced team will be in touch. Please feel free to give as much detail as you need, and include any design or technical questions you have.

     

    Request a Sample

    Request a Sample

    The best way of judging the quality of slate and phyllite is to hold it in your hands, and examine it in detail for yourself.
    If you’d like a sample of any of the products we provide, don’t hesitate to fill in the form below.

    Check which samples you would like to receive:
     

    Booking a CPD

    Book a CPD

    At SSQ, we love sharing our decades of natural slate expertise with architects, and our CPDs are always extremely popular.
    On our RIBA-approved Why Specify Slate CPD, you’ll learn about:

    • How to guarantee a perfect slate roof
    • The secret to specifying
    • Unusual roof designs
    • How to avoid specifying defective slate
    • The difference between CE tested and true quality slate
    • The legal requirements when it comes to specifying slate
    • How to specify random coursed roofing slates
    • The difference between hook and nail fixing
    • The environmental benefits of natural slate
    • Specifying heritage roofing slates

    … and a whole lot more.

    If you’re interested in booking a place on our next CPD, simply fill in this form.

    Resources

    SSQ Professional Resource Centre

    When you work with SSQ, you get so much more than world-class slate and architectural stone.
    Over the last forty years, we’ve built up a huge amount of expertise covering natural slate, roofing, geology, specifications and so much more – and you can benefit from that, along with case studies, CAD drawings, technical PDFS and a wealth of other support, on our Professional Resources centre.

    Get free access
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    Testimonials

    With so many ‘interested parties’ the local planners set their minds on a natural slate roof at a very early stage of the project and, from this starting point, we needed something that would satisfy a number of technical and aesthetic requirements – SSQ Domiz blue-grey, was the one chosen for use to compliment the local ‘Shere Green’ colour.

    Ben Hunt, Total Project Integration

    Testimonials

    Being both high quality and cost-effective, Matacouta slate from SSQ is proving very popular with specifiers and contractors alike for refurbishment as well as for new build projects.

    Mr Roy Clark, Baxter Clark and Paul

    Testimonials

    The choice of SSQ Del Carmen was made easier after confirmation that it had gained approval for use in the Welsh National Parks as an alternative to indigenous materials. We were also pleased with the level of technical, design and on-site support we received from SSQ.

    The Hafod Renewal Office

    Testimonials

    The choice of slates was made easier due to the quality of product you provide and the support of Gary Firth throughout the process – which I much appreciate. Gary is a good ambassador for your company.

    Pat Murray, Senior Project Engineer, Alvance Group

    Testimonials

    SSQ Ultra Del Carmen slates come with a 75-year guarantee and that was important. Not only that, the on-site services promised – and delivered – by SSQ enabled a smooth and easy workflow.

    Stuart Howes, Architect

    Testimonials

    It is a very attractive development and we needed something equally attractive and of equally high quality for the roofing material. SSQ Del Carmen slate is top quality, and we liked the colour and texture. What’s more, it is very good value. I’d have no hesitation choosing it again.

    Mr Keith Wills, Clancy's Building Manager

    Testimonials

    Everyone liked Sarria: the client was delighted with its appearance and its consistency made it easy to cut and lay.

    Gary Lambert, Complete Roofing Contractors

    Testimonials

    We put forward Riverstone as a cost-effective, yet high quality alternative to Welsh Slate, and it was accepted on that basis. The refurbishment work has now been completed and both the owners and ourselves are very happy with the result.

    Keith Hicks Architect at Pave Hall

    Testimonials

    The quality and strength were there, the colour was similar to indigenous Welsh slate and its ‘traditional’ look was in keeping with the surrounding community. In fact, as I had used it on my own Edwardian house, I knew it was a good slate!

    Julian Bohling, OSP Architecture

    Testimonials

    We specified SSQ First Domiz Blue-grey roofing slate for both technical and aesthetic reasons:its strength and quality gives the performance needed and its cold, hard, colour provides a dramatic foil to the rich warmth of the western red cedar walls.

    Mark Webber, Architect, Nichols Brown Webber

    Testimonials

    With the roofs being such a visible feature, the choice of roofing slate was a significant decision. We involved the roofing contractor at an early stage in the selection process and they recommended SSQ’s Del Carmen Blue-black slates. Although it’s not an indigenous slate, it is an excellent match for the originals and, having used Spanish slate on other projects, we know the quality is there.

    Richard Thorpe, Ridge and Partners LLP

    Testimonials

    SSQ Rocaber Blue-grey slate was actually chosen at the initial design-concept stage. A natural slate roof was in keeping with the traditional local architecture.

    Tom Ewan, Architect at Model Developments

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    Case Study

    SSQ’s exceptional slate contributes to award-nominated heritage restoration

    Read more View all case studies

    Case Study

    SSQ’s Riverstone provides reliable roofing solution for a piece of Cornish mining history

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    SSQ’s Riverstone helps to restore part of Cornwall’s agricultural history

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    Case Study

    In with the new: SSQ’s Del Carmen restores Southampton University library

    Read more View all case studies

    Case Study

    SSQ’s Riverstone raises the roof at Mottram St Andrew Primary Academy

    Read more View all case studies

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