Give Your Garden a New Look With Slate Stone Walkways

You are thinking of a garden decor and you have a long list to do different things. But first and the foremost thing you can do is the installation of slate stone walkways in your garden. To install the slate tiles find out the area in your garden that has the maximum traffic. You can find this just by seeing the condition of the grass. Part of your garden that has less or no grass is the most high traffic area that needs walkway. For garden decoration it is the slate stone that is chiefly used.

Read: Garden Decor With Slate Walkways

There are many shapes of slate tiles available for your garden decor. This can be

• Diamond
• Square
• Rectangular
• Triangle
• Irregular
• Octagon

In most of the garden walkways you will find the irregular slate tile. You can place irregular slate tiles as it is on the leveled ground and grow grass, place grout or cement or sand between the gaps.

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How to Keep your Slate Tiles Clean?

Slate tiles are wonderful and can be used anywhere you want. It can be used both at commercial and residential places. When it comes to clean the slate tiles then you need not to worry as cleaning the slate tiles is not at all difficult.


Learn How to Keep your Slate Tiles Clean - 

• Use warm water to clean your slate tiles.
• Use neutral cleaning agent for cleaning purpose. Acidic cleaning agent will deteriorate the slate tile and then you will have to replace it.
• Remove the stains as soon as you get them. Use blotting paper to remove the excess of stain. 
• If you have the stain on grout and the grout is not colored then use 50:50 hydrogen peroxide and water solution to remove it. For this sprinkle the solution directly on stain and let it dry. This will bring the stain out. If still you have the stain then make the paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Apply it on the stained area and keep it there for 30 mins. remove it with warm wet cloth.
• Always seal your tiles with neutral sealant for longer life

Find out more on Slate Tile Cleaning

Natural Stale Stone – So Unique and Alluring

Natural slate stone is nothing but the mud that has been compressed and petrified over the years. It is composed of volcanic ashes and clay with minerals like quartz, illite (mainly), chlorite, biotite, pyrite and hematite (less) that are metamorphosed into layers. It is because of the minerals that this natural stone has different colors. And because of metamorphism slate has natural veins, waves and dots that looks so unique and alluring.

Most of us prefer slate because of its appearance but besides appearance also there are many other qualities like fire resistance, acid resistance, anti slip nature, easy to work, durability, easy maintenance etc which it a further prime choice of many homeowners.

This natural stone can be split into layers because of cleavage and breakability. But even after splitting slate stone retains its natural texture.

There are two main types of slate stone

1. Hard
2. Soft

Hard does not break easily and last longer than the soft one.

Uses of Slate Stone
The most common is the roofing and flooring as this natural stone does not absorb water.   You will find roofs made from this stone in hilly areas as it resistant to damage caused frost. Also there are very less chances of breakage because of snow and freezing. Slate tiles or shingles are used to make the roof which are installed by slater. Besides this, very creatively, slate stone is used in the following applications.
 

• Backsplash
• Paving
• Wall Cladding
• Landscaping
• Countertops
• Stairs
• Walkways
• Fireplaces
• Slate coffee tables

Besides all these, slate also has an electric insulation property. Electricity switchboards of 20th century were chiefly made from this material. It is also a chemically and physically inert material so very easily used in laboratories. Also the blackboards in your classrooms and slates that you give to your kids to write are made up of this stone.

Slate Stone Colors
Slate stone is available in varied colors but grey is the most common. Other colors can be cyan, green, purple, black and red. Mostly the geographic area from where it has been taken defines the color. But in some area you will find all sorts of colors. The most common colors are:

• Black
• Dark Grey
• Greenish Grey
• Copper
• Purplish Grey
• Sunflame
• Lilac
• Copper Pink
• Multi-colour Golden Quartzite
• Green Pink
• Multicolor Dark Slate
• Multicolor Light Slate
• Multi Green
• Taj Rose
• Autumn Lilac

Natural slate stone is extracted across the world. But Wales in Europe, Vermont, Pennsylvania,  New York in America, India and China are th chief location from where it is extracted.

So what you are thinking next. Remodeling your kitchen floor, backsplash or patio with this beautiful natural slate stone.

Tips to Install Slate Tile Backsplash

Using slate tiles on backsplash have become a rage today as the slate stone is so incomparable. The beautiful waves and patterns of slate stone beautify your entire kitchen and give it the touch of elegance and style. So are you ready to transform your kitchen into a beautiful retreat. If yes then go further and read the instruction on how to install slate tile backsplash.

Things Required to Install Slate Tile Backsplash

1. Tiles Cases (about 50 tiles per case). The number of cases required depends upon the area you want to cover. The cost of one case is approximately $11.
2. Three tubes of adhesive
3. One bag of Type S High Strength Mortar/Stucco Mix Gray
4. Loctite Power Grab
5. Angle Grinder
6. Dry tile saw blade
7. Paint brush
8. Caukling gun
9. Black permanent marker
10. Safety glasses
11. Cement backer board

Tips to Install Slate Tile Backsplash

• Before buying anything check your wall. It should be strong enough to hold the weight of slate tile and if you are using 12x12” slate tiles then first of all fix the cement backer board on the wall with screws. Use backer screws at every six inch for the proper fixing.
• Now if you want the sealant then better to apply it before slate tile installation. Apply it one day earlier and let the tiles dry completely.
• Make the plan on how you want to install the tile. Before actually placing it on backsplash better to make the arrangement of slate tiles on the floor or other solid surface. Here you can go for the color combination and style.
• Wear safety glasses and put  Loctite Power Grab adhesive in caukling gun.
• Find the center of the backsplash wall and mark it with the marker. You first slate stone tile will appear there and then you will place the other on left or right side of it. Place the slate tile in a regular manner and give proper space in between tile. For this you can use tile spacer. Also there should be space between the countertop and slate tile. Use the adhesive you have made to glue the tiles on wall.
• Make the second and third row in the same manner.
• For the last row the slate tiles need to be cut according to the available space. With this your slate tile placing is complete.

Grouting

• Before grouting let the slate tile dry. Now prepare the mixture for grouting. For this add right amount of water into grout powder and its consistency should be like peanut butter. If yes then your grout mixture is ready to use.
• Apply it on the whole surface of the slate tile backsplash and force it to the gaps in between tiles and walls. After completion, allow it to set for at least 20 mins. Now wipe the extra grout from the surface and sides. But do not do anything to the grout line.
• Wait for 72 hours after this and then apply penetrating sealant over the slate tile backsplash.

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Slate Sealer
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