Grade II listed hospital renovation utilises Del Carmen slates

SSQ’s Del Carmen Ultra grade slates are being installed at the former St. Bernard’s Hospital building in West Ealing.

Over 30,000 slates are being fitted as part of a mass renovation, which will see 92 new properties created within the Grade II listed building.

Chosen to blend sympathetically with the building’s traditional aesthetic, SSQ’s 50cm x 25cm Ultra grade Del Carmen roofing slates are being nailed into place over 4,000 square metres of the listed building, which is scheduled for completion in November 2016.

Operations Director for property developers, Westcombe Group, Sunil Pankhania, stated that the slates were chosen for their cost effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. 

He said: “St. Bernard’s Hospital covers a very wide area, so it is essential that we get the appearance right, as it will certainly stand out.

SSQ’s Del Carmen slates were not only cost effective, but incredibly aesthetically appealing too. The appearance of the slate complements the building very well, which is obviously important, given the listed nature of the property.”

Long lasting slates

Head of Marketing at SSQ Slate, Haroun El-Helw, added: “It’s encouraging to see that our Del Carmen slate has been chosen for installation on a renovation project of this nature – any work carried out on a listed building must be done with care and attention, with materials selected that will sympathetically complement the overall structure. 

“Our Del Carmen slate has previously been selected for use by English Heritage and Historic Scotland, so we’re confident that it will suit the new development at St. Bernard’s Hospital perfectly. What’s more, we can guarantee that it will last for at least 100 years, ensuring the building will continue to look good for many years to come.”

The Del Carmen slate is tested to NF228 standards, which is the leading slate standard introduced in France. 

The independent testing procedure examines water absorption levels, flexural and traversal strengths, density and the carbonate and non-carbonate content.

The standard ensures that NF certified slates will not rust or leach and importantly, will not fade over time, meaning the slate can retain its appearance for years on end. 

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