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
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.
The long-lasting Matacouta natural slate was born in Spain but is now at home in Scotland
It might be quarried in the mountains of North-West Spain, but SSQ’s outstanding Matacouta slate is most at home in the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland.
Matacouta is durable and thick Spanish slate, making it well suited to weathering the sometimes harsh Scottish climate. Strong, long-lasting and perfectly in keeping with the natural aesthetic of so much Scottish architecture, Matacouta is an exceptional natural slate product.
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.
Contact usSlate 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.
Request a free quote
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.
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.
Testimonials
SSQ Matacouta slate was chosen as the most sympathetic option. Its consistency and competitive price make it a clear winner over indigenous slates.
Historic Scotland
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
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you today, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your time and a wonderfully informative CPD.
The whole team really enjoyed it, and you definitely conveyed your passion and knowledge of your products!
I would say I will keep SSQ in mind for future projects, but they always have been. However, I have definitely left with a need to utilise more slate in my design work!
Michael Clifton BSc ACIAT - Oakbridge Bespoke Homes Ltd
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
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
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
Working in a conservation area brings a special responsibility. SSQ Riverstone slate fits perfectly, its tone and texture blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
Joan Kinane, 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
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
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
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
