Excellence Range
The LBS Excellence range are the very best slate quarries in the world. These exceptional slates are specified by architects all over the world and cover some of the world’s most prestigious buildings. These slates have exceptional geological properties and have a lifespan measured in centuries.
Welsh Slate
Penryhn 'Bangor Blue', Ffestiniog, Cwt-y-bugail
Cumbrian Slate
Westmorland Green, Burlington Blue Grey
Canadian Slate
Glendyne
Premier Range
The LBS premier range are the very best grades and selections available from Spain. Spanish slate quarries supply over 80% of the market globally but it is important to be aware that the quarries produce a number of different grades or selections.
The LBS ‘premier range’ is the highest quality grade and selections from Spain.
Spanish Slate
Sierra, Leon, La Habra, Vigo, La Borosa, Valderos, Rozadais, Fabero, Del Duro
American Slate
Vermont Green
Commercial Range
The LBS commercial range are slates that, for various reasons, do not fit into our premier range category.
Brazilian Slate
In Brazilian slates, the geology is different to slates from other parts of the world. These slates are a sedimentary mudstone and not a true metamorphic slate like slates from Wales or Spain. As such, Brazilian slate tends to be more brittle than its Welsh and Spanish counterparts, and can break easier. It is for this reason, we insist that Brazilian slate is hook fixed as well as nailed fixed.
Commercial Grade Spanish
In terms of commercial grade Spanish slate, these are selections which do not meet our strict premier or ultra grade selection criteria. Commercial grade Spanish grades are by-products of ultra or premier grade selection and are typically characterised by higher than normal dimensional intolerances, imperfections or blemishes on the slate, higher concentrations of iron pyrites etc. These selections will typically have a higher wastage element and will require more sorting and grading on site by the slater.
Chinese Slate
At LBS, we deal in only the highest quality Chinese that achieves the highest rating on the European standards (A1, S1, T1). We do not deal in the cheaper eco grade weathering Chinese slate. However, the quarries in China do not offer separate quality grades within their selection criteria but rather one ‘mixed grade’. So, while it is still a quality sate in terms of its geology, it may require additional sorting and grading on site by the slater.
