Blogs

Sheena Owen

Sheena Owen began working for North Country Slate on October 12, 1999. Started as the Sales Coordinator and transitioned to a Sales Representative. Daily duties include providing customer service, new business development, inside sales, handling all cross-border customs issues/documentation, arranging shipments, health and safety representation and social media marketing. Sheena graduated from the University of Guelph in 1992 with a BA in English and Drama and in 1995 graduated with a Diploma in Radio and Television Broadcasting from Centennial College. Sheena’s first job was the Executive Producer’s Assistant for TV shows including Robocop, F/X The Series and Nikita. She went on to becoming an Assistant Manager at Eddie Bauer. In her spare time, Sheena enjoys traveling, gardening and hikes with family and friends.

The history of Unfading Purple (Trinity Slate) natural roofing slate from Newfoundland, Canada

By Sheena Owen Oct 17th, 2018

Trinity Slate's unfading purple slate was discovered in 1497. In the mid 1800's, almost four hundred years later, excellent and extensive slate deposits were found - the oldest slate deposits in North America. A Cambrian formation, similar to the famous slate deposits of Wales, which date back over 500 million years. These slates were subjected to the greatest metamorphic compression.

Tips for using a slate cutter/trimmer

By Sheena Owen Oct 12th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_2758" align="alignnone" width="300"] Heavy Duty Slate Trimmer[/caption] A slate cutter is needed when jobs require a piece of slate to be a shape other than its rectangular form from the quarry. This can include trimming a piece that is too large, curved cuts and diagonal cuts for hips and valleys.

10 year old synthetic (FAKE PLASTIC) slate roof failure replaced with natural...

By Sheena Owen Oct 4th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_3123" align="alignleft" width="300"] Clinton Hall, Blair Academy Blairstown, NJ[/caption] Blair Academy, established in 1848 is a private, coeducational, boarding and day school for highschool students (grades 9-12) in Blairstown, NJ.

North Country Unfading Black roofing slate selected for the Cathedral of...

By Sheena Owen Sep 20th, 2018

North Country Unfading Black roofing slate was selected for the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, located at 259 E Onondaga Street in Syracuse, New York. This grand Victorian Gothic Revival style church and the focal point of Columbus Circle.

Roofing Slate Supplier since 1990

By Sheena Owen Sep 10th, 2018

North Country Slate, formerly Newfoundland Slate Inc. (NSI) began producing and supplying roofing slates in 1990. Quarried in Burgoyne’s Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, the slate from this area was first produced in 1850. NSI produced an Unfading Purple (Trinity Heather and Trinity Plum Red) and Unfading Green (Trinity Green).

North Country Unfading Gray natural roofing slate supplied for Toronto’s St....

By Sheena Owen Sep 6th, 2018

One of the oldest public buildings in Toronto, the St. Lawrence Hall was built in 1854 following the Great Fire of 1849 which destroyed a large part of Toronto’s city core. The St. Lawrence Hall was the centre for Toronto’s social life.

North Country Semi-Weathering Gray/Black (Vermont Black) slate roofing material...

By Sheena Owen Aug 30th, 2018

The London Normal School, built in 1898-1899, is a three-storey brick building with multi-gabled roofline and three octagonal cupolas designed in High Victorian style by architect Francis Heakes. Heakes also built schools in Peterborough, Stratford, Hamilton and North Bay between 1908-1910.

Low Pitched Slate Roof with a 4″ Headlap

By Sheena Owen Aug 24th, 2018

The Trenton City Museum (formally known as Ellarslie / Henry McCall House) in Trenton NJ was built in 1848 for Henry McCall a military commander at the Battle of New Orleans. In the 1880’s McCall’s son sold the house to the city of Trenton (Cadwalader Park).

What is a mansard slate roof?

By Sheena Owen Jul 30th, 2018

[caption id="attachment_3057" align="alignleft" width="300"] Example of a convex mansard slate roof[/caption] A mansard roof is a four-sided gambrel style hip roof. Some include elaborate dormer windows for added interior light. The mansard roof is a curb hip roof with slopes on all sides of the building.

Sheena Owen

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