40 years’ expertise
World-class natural slate
Uncompromising quality standards
Guarantees for up to 100 years
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A roof is a serious investment – and that means you want a material you know is going to last. That’s why, at SSQ, we’ve introduced Ultra Cover – a comprehensive package of guarantees designed to ensure our products last longer than the building they’re installed on.
Find out moreSaying something will last at least a hundred years is a big claim. So why are we so confident in the quality of the slate we supply? It’s because of the rigorous testing it’s undergone. Our finest products have achieved grade S1 when tested to ASTM C406, the only standard in the world that gives a life expectancy to natural slate. S1 is the highest grade achievable, representing a minimum life expectancy of 75 years – and given the array of other quality assurance measures we have in place, we’re confident enough to go one step further and guarantee it for at least a century.
Ultra-grade slate is the best you can get – and slate that’s of high enough quality to retain its strength when its cut so thin is extremely rare.
At SSQ, we’re the only company able to import ultra-grade slate into the UK – and it’s with this outstanding material that we offer the option for Ultra Cover.
Contact usThere are thousands of companies selling slate all around the world – but sadly, some aren’t as reputable as others. In North-West Spain alone, there are over a hundred quarries producing slate.
In any quarry, between 85 and 90% of the material produced isn’t good enough quality to be used for roofing. However, some businesses go on and sell this sub-par slate into the roofing market anyway, resulting in roofs that quickly rust, delaminate or otherwise fail.
Many quarries sell their best material to France, with customers in the UK and elsewhere receiving slate that’s lower quality. At SSQ we do none of those things – and it was to reassure our customers that they were buying the best that we introduced Ultra Cover.
Contact usAn Ultra Cover roof is fitted by comprehensively vetted SSQ Assured Installers. It’s independently surveyed at least twice, sometimes more, and assessed by SSQ throughout.
And when it’s finished, you’re left with a 100-year Weathertightness guarantee, and an Insurance Backed guarantee covering materials, workmanship and design. What’s more, if SSQ has been sufficiently involved in the design process, design liability is also a possibility.
Request a free quoteIt 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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