Copper Slate is an Indian slate with warm copper-brown to brown-grey tones and the characteristic, slightly rough riven structure of low-grade metamorphic slates. Classically used for wall claddings, floor tiles, external paving, garden stepping slabs and rustic roofing.
Other trade names: Copper Brown Slate, Copper Slate, India Brown Slate
About Copper Schiefer
Copper Slate is an Indian slate from India's international slate production — traded on the English-speaking market as Copper Slate, Copper Brown Slate or India Brown Slate. Characteristic are warm copper-brown to brown-grey colour tones with a slightly metallic-looking depth, which the trade name “Copper” hints at. The material shows the classic layered riven structure of low-grade metamorphic slates — splitting along the natural cleavage plane produces slightly rough, natural surfaces with subtle undulations and fine mineral inclusions. At ROSSITTIS we carry Copper Slate for interior wall claddings, floor tiles, external paving, garden stepping slabs, pool surrounds, rustic roofing, fireplace surrounds and project-specific special fabrications.
Geologically, Copper Slate is a clay slate from the Indian slate production regions — the stone formed through low-grade metamorphism of old clay sediments under moderate pressure and temperature. The copper-brown colour character goes back to iron oxide minerals within the slate matrix; depending on the block, the colour tones can range from warm copper brown through earthy red-brown to metallically shimmering brown-grey. Indian slates are among the most frequently installed varieties on the international market, because they offer consistent quality, broad availability in different slab sizes and good value for money. Besides Copper Slate, the family of Indian slates also includes Multicolor Slate, Black Slate, Silver Grey Slate and Rustic Slate — Copper is the warm, earthy-toned variant.
Technically, slate is a dense, low-grade metamorphic rock with the characteristic perfect cleavage — splittability along parallel mineral layers. This property makes slate ideal for natural riven surfaces: no two slabs are exactly alike, each shows an unmistakable individual surface. Outdoors, slate is frost-resistant; indoors, riven slate is pleasantly warm to the touch. The slip resistance of the natural riven surface is considerably higher than that of polished hard stones — which makes Copper Slate particularly recommendable for external paving, pool surrounds, entrance areas and low-barrier floor areas. For areas close to food or for kitchens, slate is less suitable because of its riven roughness and its somewhat softer hardness compared with granite.
At ROSSITTIS, Copper Slate is available in the classic slate formats: as a raw slab, as a floor tile in standard and special sizes, as a tread and riser, as a window sill, as a skirting, as a wall facing, as an external paving stone and as a garden stepping slab. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Our honest assessment: Copper Slate is a robust, rustic natural stone with a clear material signature and warm earthy colour tones. Anyone looking for a lively, naturally riven wall stone or a warm-toned external paving is right with Copper Slate — the material has the characteristic Indian slate charm and sits well below hard stones in price. For highly polished prestige surfaces, kitchen worktops or areas with frequent acid contact, a different stone should be chosen.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
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Finishes
Copper Schiefer is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Satiniert
Die Oberfläche wird gebürstet — weichere Minerale werden gezielt entfernt, es entsteht eine subtile Tiefe mit mattem Erscheinungsbild. Eine zurückhaltende Veredelung, die die schieferspezifische Schichtung in eleganter Mattigkeit zeigt. Pflegeleichter als die polierte Variante und alltagstauglich.
Spaltrau kalibriert
Wie spaltrau (natürlich gespaltene, raue Mattoberfläche), zusätzlich mit kalibrierter Rückseite: Die Plattenunterseite ist plan geschliffen für gleichmäßige Stärke und vereinfachte Verlegung. Empfohlen für Außenbereiche, Pflasterflächen und Fassadenverklebungen mit Anspruch an präzise Maßhaltigkeit.
Care & fabrication
As an Indian slate, Copper Slate can be maintained over the long term with a sealer and cleaned without difficulty. We recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer directly after installation — it simultaneously emphasises the warm copper-brown colour tones and protects against water marks and strongly colouring substances. Routine cleaning is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft brush or a microfibre cloth; on riven surfaces, deeper-lying soiling can be removed with soft scrubbing brushes. You should avoid strongly alkaline heavy-duty cleaners, acidic products such as vinegar or lemon cleaners and abrasive steel wool. Outdoors, Copper Slate is frost-resistant — de-icing salt residues should be rinsed off with clear water in spring. We recommend refreshing the sealer every three to five years depending on exposure. Spilled liquids on interior surfaces are best taken up promptly, since the riven structure holds liquids slightly.
Frequently asked questions
What other designations does Copper Slate carry?
On the international market the material runs as Copper Slate, Copper Brown Slate and India Brown Slate; the German trade name Copper Schiefer simply uses the German word for slate. It is consistently the same Indian slate with warm copper-brown colour tones — not to be confused with Himachal Copper, a quartzite from Rajasthan.
Which surfaces are available for Copper Slate?
The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Copper Slate suitable for external areas?
Yes, very much so. Slate is naturally frost-resistant and, thanks to its riven surface, particularly slip-resistant — ideal for external paving, pool surrounds, garden stepping slabs and entrance areas. De-icing salt residues should be rinsed off with clear water in spring; a sealer additionally protects against water marks and discolouration.
Is Copper Slate suitable for kitchen worktops?
With reservations. Compared with granite or quartzite, slate is softer and, because of its riven roughness, less even — for classic kitchen worktops with heavy cutting loads and constant acid contact, hard stones such as granite or quartzite are more suitable. For design-accented bar counters, breakfast surfaces or serving surfaces, however, slate with a good sealer can be a characterful choice.
How do I clean and care for Copper Slate?
Routine care is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft brush or a microfibre cloth — avoid acidic cleaners and abrasive steel wool. A silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer after installation emphasises the warm copper-brown colour tones and protects against water marks; we recommend refreshing it every three to five years.
Where is Copper Slate quarried?
Copper Slate comes from the classic Indian slate production regions. India is one of the world's largest slate producers and supplies the material family of Copper Slate, Multicolor Slate, Black Slate, Silver Grey Slate and Rustic Slate consistently in different slab sizes for the European market.
Copper Slate or classic natural slate from Spain — what is the difference?
Spanish natural slates (classic roofing slates from Galicia) are dark grey to deep black, very dense and especially finely splittable — the classic choice for roofing. Indian Copper Slate is lighter and warm-toned, with copper-brown to brown-grey colour nuances — more interesting for floor and wall surfaces, garden paving and design-accented architectural applications.
