The choice between a Vermont-quarried domestic slate and an imported slate from Spain — the source for more than 85% of the world's slate — is in many ways a decision on color, characteristics, and sometimes pricing.
Spanish Imported Slate — The World's Dominant Source
Spain is the source of more than 85% of the world's roofing slate. Spanish imported slate is almost exclusively black and variations of black — gray-black, dark gray, black-gray. Imported unfading Spanish black, graded to ASTM S-1 (the highest quality designation), tends to be slightly less costly than comparable black slate from the USA. This is a function of availability, scale of production, and manufacturing costs.
If your project requires an unfading, non-weathering black or dark gray slate, Newmont's Imported Unfading Black Select — sourced from our partner be natural in Galicia, Spain — is an excellent choice at a very competitive price. This is the slate used at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel in downtown Boston.
Vermont Domestic Slate — Color, Character, and Longevity
Vermont slates weather to varying degrees as a result of the presence of other mineral elements — quartz, mica, chlorites, carbon, iron, and others — within the deposits, formed hundreds of millions of years ago. This is why Vermont slate comes in a rich palette: cardinal red, royal purple, various shades of purple and green, grays, tan, buff, and black.
If the rich earth tones and natural variations of weathering and semi-weathering slate are required — either historically or aesthetically — your choice is the highest quality S-1 Vermont Slate from Newmont. Vermont Black and Vermont Gray-Black are the most popular choices for historic preservation and new construction projects requiring a traditional New England aesthetic.
Comparison Table
| Attribute | Spanish Slate | Vermont Slate |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Galicia, Spain | Pawlet & Fair Haven, Vermont, USA |
| Colors | Black, dark gray, gray-black | Green, purple, red, gray, black, buff |
| ASTM Grade | S-1 (unfading) | S-1 (some weathering varieties) |
| Best For | New construction, cost-sensitive projects, uniform dark color | Historic restoration, color variety, premium residential |
Making the Right Choice for Your Project
The decision between domestic Vermont slate and imported Spanish slate comes down to three factors: color requirements, budget, and project context. For historic preservation projects in New England, Vermont slate is almost always the appropriate choice — both aesthetically and for meeting Secretary of the Interior Standards. For projects requiring a consistent, non-weathering black at a competitive price point, Newmont's Imported Unfading Black is an excellent alternative.
Contact the professionals at Newmont Slate to discuss which slate is best for your specific project. We carry both domestic Vermont slate and imported Spanish slate, and our team can provide samples, ASTM data, and specification support for any project type.
Newmont supplies both Vermont domestic slate and imported Spanish slate. Contact us to discuss which is right for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse our complete slate product collection, including Vermont Black, Vermont Gray-Black, Unfading Green, and our full range of imported slates. For project-specific guidance, contact our team.
