Important Consideration for Slate Tile Flooring

Slate stone is a great alternative to normal natural stone. It is strong and resistant towards acid, water and weathering, hence perfect for flooring and roofing applications. Like other natural stone, slate is also mined from the quarries and mountains across the world. Sizable boulder of rocks are obtained from mines, which are then given a required shape and size for different applications.

As slate has water resistant and anti slip property, so it is optimal for the bathroom flooring. Another feature of resisting fire makes it perfect for the making kitchen backsplash and countertop. It does not lose its color because of changing weather and Sunlight so can be used for outdoor application of roofing and flooring. But before installing you will have to take care certain points that are discussed here.

Important Consideration for Slate Tile Flooring

1. Buy the stone as per the area where you want to install it. Consider foot traffic, climate, water and soil of that are before buying the right kind of slate stone.
2. Before installing slate stone on the floor make sure that you have bought right color, thickness and size of the stone.
3. It is essential to consider the substrate over which you want to install the floor. The substrate will differ with the slate stone. Also the substrate or the lower ground on which you are going to install the state should be solid, as on flexible surface such as plywood, the state can crack or split like any other tile. You can ask more about the type of slate flooring from slate supplier or representative.
4. Buy more than required inventory at a time because otherwise floor will contain different types of tiles.
5. If you want to install slate stone on wood then do it on exterior grade plywood.
6. Sealing slate floor is very important as this reduces the chances of getting stains on the slate. You can have a high gloss sealant as well as one with no sheen for a natural look.
7. The substrate should not be dirty. Clean it for the proper installation.
8. Before installation the surface should also be completely dry. Do not install on wet surface.
9. Do not keep the slate tiles as it is, but seal these properly with a sealer.
10. Do not start grouting immediately. Give at least a day before grouting so that mortar set in properly.
11. If you do not have an experience of working and installing slate stone then better to take the help of a professional installer than to do it yourself.

Know the Different Slate Sealer for Slate Stone

To preserve the look of the slate stone and keep it stain free, slate sealer is must to use thing. There are many brands in the market that compete with each other for this. But basically the slate sealer can be categorized into two main categories. These are:

• Standard Quality
• Premium Quality

The premium slate sealers are more in price than the standard quality. A premium sealer has higher resistance to oils and other related things thus gives you ample time for cleaning. This also increases the reaction time to hours rather than minutes.

Then there are impregnating and coating sealer. The impregnating sealer penetrates and goes below the surface where as coating slate sealer is just above the surface and also called topical sealer. These are more shinny and glossy in appearance and give wet look to the slate floor or on which so ever surface these have been used. The coating sealers can also darken the surface to some extent. There is one more advantage of this sealer. That is it acts as a physical barrier between the dust and slate stone. But as it is just on the surface it in not that good in keep away some of the contaminants like oil to stain the slate stone. Also with time it wears away with time. So there is a need to reapply it after certain period of time.

The impregnating sealer last much longer than the coating ones and may have 10 – 15 years of life. It will not lend any kind of shining or glossy look. Regular cleaning will not cause the wearing. The contaminant will remain on the surface for a longer period of time so you have ample tile to clean it.

In order to keep you slate stain free better to clean it as soon as something falls on it rather than waiting to clean it afterward.

In order to remove the impregnating sealer get the solvent kind of stripper and remove the slate sealer with this.

Best Tips for Slate Cutting

Slate is a natural stone that gives natural to elegant look any place. Slate is easy to work upon and so the cutting part is also not that difficult. All it requires is patience and technique of cutting.

How to Work With Slate Stone?
Slate is a very durable stone but also quiet soft so needs expert handling. Any rough handling will cause the softer slate stone to flake off or break. If you get little dirty in the process of cutting slate then do not be upset. If it is your first slate cutting then it is better to work on hard slate rather than soft one. From the package of slate stone pick the one that is strongest.
Slate Cutting

• Slate cutting is easiest of all in the category of natural store. Although pre cut slate is available but if you haven't found what you are looking for then do not lose hope. All you need is planning and care while cutting the slate stone. Get the tile saw from the nearest hardware store. Make sure that you do have the safety glasses, ear plugs and other protective gears before working with any kind of industrial tool.
• You can also get the masonry blade either in the form of carbide-tipped or abrasive can be used for cutting the slate stone. Also instead of this wet saw can be rented. If not all these then get the diamond edged blade to cut the slate stone. To cut the small areas and to give the shape you can use the hacksaw.
• Do not use the manual score and snap tile cutter as this are not made for slate cutting.
• Make sure that you follow all the instructions before using any of these instruments as any minor fault can lead to disaster. Observe the safety measures as said. Use proper eye mask, chest mask and other such equipments before working with slate stone. While cutting slate small particles of dust ma come and damage your body if you wont take proper precautions.
• If you have any doubt regarding the cutting or working the instrument then never hesitate to get the advice from expert.
• Have lots of patience as slate cutting is quiet a tedious and length process. It may leads to frustration.
• Make sure to clean the slate tiles properly after cutting as any dust particle on it may lead to the wrong installation.

Slate Fireplace Design for Slate Fireplace Remodelling

You have just bought a home where everything needs your attention. In such a situation slate fireplace remodeling becomes utmost important as it is the attention grabbing element in any room. Half of your work to refurnish the room will be done if you will go with the bang-up in slate fireplace design.

Now you have to think what kind of fireplace design you actually want. Is it from ceiling to roof type or the smaller one. Which color of the slate you would prefer for it? In most of the cases people prefer using dark gray to black color. Dark color stain less and smoke impressions are less visible on these. Also think of the slate tiles size. Whether you want to make the slate fireplace with bigger or smaller tiles. It is really up to you. Further check for the hearth and mantel. Whether you want these of slate stone or of different stone.

Few Slate Fire Place Design for Slate Fireplace Remodeling

Simple Yet Elegant
Keep the slate fireplace simple with mantel. The color of the mantel can match the wall color whereas you can made the hearth either matching to floor or rest of the fireplace.
Floor To Ceiling Stone Fireplace
Now if your room is having a low roof then you can certainly go with this kind as it will give a sort to expansion to the length. Slate fireplace design of full length is in vogue. With this a warmth is added to the room.


Painted Fireplace
You can give dramatic affect to the fireplace by painting the fireplace surrounds and placing black slate tiles. Above this go with the wooden mantel.

Find out More on
Slate Fireplace Installation Guide
Practical Slate Tile Ideas

Different kinds of Slate Patio Furniture

Functional yet elegant truly defines the slate patio furniture. People love to ameliorate their home, backyard and patio. They have their own innovative ways. Slate stone furniture is no longer a stranger in homes as it looks very decorative. Manufacturers of slate patio furniture are coming up with different designs. If you do not know what kinds of slate furniture is available then have a look at this article to know more about this.

Slate Stone Table with Fire Pit
This is an excellent outdoor slate patio furniture that is in vogue. This is actually the slate table that has a fire pit of brass or other metal in it. You can keep your food hot on the table and at the same time enjoy the weather on your beautiful slate patio furniture.

Outdoor Slate Table
Outdoor slate table is exceptionally good when it comes to slate furniture. It is up to the creativity of the artist that how he or she is going to use the pattern and different shapes of the slate stone to make the table. Of all the types of tables outdoor slate tables have made a mark for themselves. Not only this table is sturdy but it looks decorative with incomparable beauty.

Slate Patio Set
Slate patio set has become a commodity at your home lending a modern decor. These slate patio furniture set are practically given any size, shape and look. So there is no need to buy just the square or rectangular shapes. Table in these impressive sets has the top that is made from slate stone with sturdy legs of metal. Seat of the chair has metallic frame with slate stone seat. If you like you can use the cushion to make the seating comfortable.

Bring Classical Look with Black Slate Tiles

Black slate tiles have the beauty that is undefined. Slate stone is rich stone that is resistant to fire, acid and moisture. The aesthetic affect given by black slate tiles is quiet different. Although there are plenty of colors available like red, purple, grey, earthy browns etc yet the most preferred one is the black.

As the slate stone is quiet a hard stone so it is extensively used as floor tiles. Above that if you are using black slate tiles then your floor will be less prone to stains and discoloration that other colors are. It will continue to look the same for a very long period of time thus maintaining the decor completely.

Also if you want to keep light colored furniture in your room then this color should your choice as it will give a dramatic contrast with huge impact. Black slate tiles will not cause the room to look small but it will instantly bring in the freshness.

Less Expensive But More Appealing
Black slate tiles are not as expensive as other stones in black color but the appeal is better or equal to them. It can be used in both residential as well as commercial properties.

Easy to Maintain
In addition to above stated reason this stone is quiet easy to maintain. As the color is dark so stains will not be visible so easily. Also it is very easy to clean and so can be one of the best choices of floor tiles at home. Also it has a non slip tendency so you can comfortably use it in the bathroom floors and kitchen floor. No mild or mildew growth further make the black slate stone a proffered choice.

Ability to Match any kind of Decor
Black is such a wonderful color that it can imbibe any kind of color and interior decor in itself. You can use the black slate tiles with all sorts of interior decoration like traditional, contemporary, classical etc.

Black Roofing
This color is also very commonly used for making the roofs. You can get the reshaped black slate tiles like rectangular, square and circular under different brand names. This stone is resistant to moisture so your roof will remain waterproof and also it wont fade with Sun.

Different Ways to Use Slate Slabs

Slate slab is a thick piece of slate stone that can be used in number of ways. You can use it in the kitchen, bathroom, living room and even as a slate fountain on the walls of your home. The different color and texture on the slate slab make it a further personal favorite of many probably you also.

You can use the slate slab as a countertop in your kitchen. Kitchen is a place where we work on fire, acids, oil and all other stuff like that. Because of this it is the most stain prone area. Slate stone is one such stone that is fire resistant, stain and moisture resistant so perfect to be used as countertop.

Another way of using the slate slab is to use it on floors. As there are many colors of this stone available so you can create very beautiful patterns. Along with this slate slab are anti resistant and moisture resistant so can be very safely used on the bathroom as well as patio floors. It is really very wonderful in look especially the red one.

Slate Floor

You will be amazed to know that this natural stone is also used for making furniture. Modern coffee tables have the slat slab on it with natural beauty. Most of these coffee table has the wrought iron frame that makes it further contemporary in look and appeal.

After this there is yet another way of using the slate stone i.e. In the form of kitchen backsplash. Varied designs and patterns are made from these. The combination of slate backsplash and wooden furnishing is just amazing.

Slate slab fountains and especially the wall fountains are particularly popular. You can hang these waterfall fountain on the wall of your living room to create the beauty that is unmatchable. You can get slate fountain made from one two or three slabs. Here the pattern and color of the stone play an important role in the look of the fountain.

Slate Wall Fountain

Also the pool table that you use for playing pool has this stone.

Beautiful slate fireplaces are also made from slate stone.

Slate Fireplace