These rocks are easily divided on the bedding layers and are known as flagstones. Nevertheless, for a slate to form, subsequent extreme geological forces related to mountain building are required, throughout which the minerals present in the initial mudstone are metamorphosed.

Many minerals, like quartz grains, are stretched and flattened, whereas clay minerals are recrystallized as plate-like minerals: chlorite and white mica. The quartz minerals provide the slate strength and longevity, whereas the plate-like minerals create cleavage planes, which do not coincide to the bedding planes, but which enables the rock to be divided into much thinner slabs suitable for roofing material. Variations in the composition of the initial mudstone and the level of metamorphism impacted the quality of the slates therefore produced.

Uses of Slate

Slate has a history as a building material. Slate is a natural, visually appealing stone. Its durability and excellent hardiness make it one of the most enduring and adaptable building materials.

The beauty of slate arises in the fact that it is a natural resource that requires little modification from its natural form and provides an enduring, contaminant resistant, fireproof, waterproof building material with a warmness and elegance which places it in a league of its own.

Slate is Primarily Used For:

Roofing: A lot of of the mined slate is modified for use as roofing material. The low rate of water absorption (less than .04 percent) in addition to its great longevity make this material one of the most valued products for roofing.

• Facade covering
• Flooring: Both inside and outside flooring.
• Decorative entirety: garden decoration, wall covering.
• Other uses: countertops, tables, plates for eateries…