CUPA PIZARRAS Natural Slates Provide Striking, Sustainable and Fully Warranted Solution

CUPA R12 Excellence has been installed as part of stunning roof refurbishment project at Parkstone, an Edwardian residence in Leeds. The natural Spanish slate was specified as it is a high-quality product with more than 100 years’ lifespan.

Situated on the prestigious Park Avenue alongside Roundhay Park and next to Soldiers Field, where battalions mustered during the First World War, Parkstone is a striking Edwardian residence converted into five luxury apartments.

The original plan for the roof was to reuse the existing tiles. However, this was not feasible as the 100-year-old tiles had incurred too much wear and tear.

Siobhan Atkinson, the main client on the project commented: “We had to make a very big decision about what we were going to replace the roof with. In the end we selected Spanish slate from CUPA PIZARRAS as Yorkshire Heritage Roofing were able to advise us on the product’s environmental impact, the variations in colour available and how it would be in-keeping with the other properties located nearby.”

Roofing contractor, Ian McCarthy, from Yorkshire Heritage Company presented the management company with five slate options from CUPA PIZARRAS. Ian wanted a natural slate that would provide a smooth, flat finish and always recommends CUPA PIZARRAS slate over other companies’ products.

“When I trained as a roofer, we used CUPA PIZARRAS products, so it is my go-to company for roof slate,” explains Ian. “The quality is excellent, and there are different gradings, sizes and colours to choose from. It’s great to be able to go to a customer and say, ‘I have exactly what you’re looking for.’”

CUPA R12 Excellence

CUPA R12 Excellence was chosen for the project as it met the high standards demanded by the client.

Tested and certified to T1 (thermal cycling), S1 (sulphur dioxide) and W1 (water absorption) levels, CUPA R12 won’t discolour, split or crack and as such can be guaranteed for 100 years, offering excellent piece of mind for the building’s residents.

The dark grey slate is widely known as being among the highest quality natural slate on the market today. The slates feature thin laminations and a smooth matt surface split to an average thickness of 3.5mm, 5mm and 6mm. Furthermore, the slate requires minimum maintenance.

Complex Challenge

The re-roofing work was a complex challenge. Although all CUPA PIZARRAS slate comes pre-cut and pre-holed, there were areas where the slate had to be cut to size to accommodate dormer windows, as well as the building’s distinctive chimneys.

In addition to CUPA R12, the extensive work included upgraded insulation throughout, hydraulic lime mortar pointing and flaunching to the chimney stacks, new leadwork and clay capped angle ridges to finish the roof.

While initially sceptical about Yorkshire Heritage’s proposal to introduce a striking red clay ridge to contrast with the grey slate, the apartment owners all agree that the aesthetic blend is fantastic.  

“I have used other Spanish slates before, but the quality is often poor. CUPA R12 Excellence is easy to cut and lay, with minimal breakages or wastage,” concludes Ian. “The uniform thickness of the slate makes them easier to install, while the dark grey, even colour, provides a striking, decorative finish.”

Read more information about the CUPA PIZARRAS range of products, including its CUPA R12 Excellence roof slate.

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