Natural slate is an excellent material for cladding a building exterior. Attractive, durable, and weather resistant, natural slate will enhance the appearance of any building exterior while protecting the interior from any water ingress during times of heavy rain.
Riverstone phyllite for exterior cladding
At SSQ, we recommend using Riverstone phyllite for any exterior cladding projects. It is harder, denser, and stronger than other slates, making it perfect for all types of cladding. It also has a unique satin-like sheen which creates an aesthetic appearance that is loved by designers and architects around the world.
Another reason for using Riverstone as a cladding material is that it requires very little maintenance. When professionally installed it can last for well over 100 years, often outliving the building on which it is installed. During this time, some repair work may be needed but this should be minimal. You may also wish to maintain the surface to keep it looking like the day it was installed.
Cleaning and maintaining cladding stone
As mentioned above, it is unlikely that cladding stone will become damaged. Maintenance should be limited to keeping the surface clean. When cleaning cladding stone, it’s best to use a hose instead of a high-pressure washer. A high-pressure washer may damage the layer of mica on the slate. This could alter the appearance of the slates and detract from its natural beauty. High pressure washing can also, potentially damage the joins between slates.
If moss has begun to grow on the slate’s exterior or deeply ingrained dirt has accumulated, you may need to use a cleaning agent suitable for use on natural slate. A domestic detergent should be sufficient. When scrubbing natural slate, it’s important not to use a wire brush. This is because residue from the metal may adhere to the slates and cause rust stains to develop.
As you can see, cladding stone requires very little maintenance to keep it in the best possible condition. If you would like to find out more about our range of slates, please contact SSQ today. You can call us on 020 8038 6454, contact us online or e-mail technical@ssq.co.uk.
