About Us

Riverstone Phyllite has a natural medium grey finish that is free from any pigmentation, making it impervious to the effects of bright sunlight. It is a particularly high-density rock, meaning its hardwearing surface will not take on general atmospheric dirt or scar and pit as a result of acid rain in more polluted environments. Its low porosity also ensures exceptional resistance to the damaging effects of the freeze-thaw cycles on the rock. The hard minerals offer good resistance to abrasion and ensure hardly any maintenance problems when used for landscaping.

Riverstone is an excellent natural paving material and is ideal for external flooring and hard landscaping in both residential and commercial environments. The rich colours and naturally tactile texture of Riverstone provides a durable and long-lasting finish to any scenery. Supplied in a variety of thicknesses, Riverstone is suitable for patios, driveways and sidewalks.

It is often used internally where its rich colours create a striking effect and where its riven texture provides a floor with a natural non-slip finish. Thanks to its excellent tensile strength, Riverstone can be used effectively for many other internal functions, including wall and swimming pool cladding, window sills and work tops.

Some of Riverstone’s other unique characteristics are its extremely low water absorption and imperviousness to liquid stains. Unlike other stones, Phyllite is an excellent solution for indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Used equally in the commercial and residential sectors, Riverstone brings the desired refinement to any swimming pool, bathroom or sauna, because of the inherent ‘life and character’ of the stone, while providing the luxury end of the market with a reliable solution.

Riverstone has been approved as an alternative to Killaloe slate as Killaloe is no longer available. Riverstone stone has been used most notably in Dublin Castle’s Garden of Remembrance. 

Supplier History

SSQ was formed in 1983 to import quality Spanish slate into the UK. It was a bold move by our founder and chairman, Ahmed El-Helw, who correctly identified a lack of supply of local materials to satisfy the thirst of an increasingly slate-hungry home market.

Today, SSQ is one of the world’s leading suppliers and producers of high-grade, unfading natural roofing slate. Our principle markets are in the UK, Europe – including Ireland – and North America. Our exports however are as far afield as Australia, Trinidad, Norway & Japan, in all over 20 countries.

We are a family owned business, based in North West London and with regional offices in Spain and Argentina and distribution offices in Ireland as well as our other markets.

SSQ directly employ operational and quality control staff in the UK, Spain and Argentina, ensuring complete control over our supply chain and of the quality of all slates carrying the SSQ brand.

This control over our supply chain, coupled with the fact we hold in the region of 5 million slates in the UK at any given time, gives us the ability to service the largest requirements.

Awards & Achievements

Urban Oasis project won Silver Gilt award at the 2010 Bloom Show in Dublin