too durable varieties of natural rock tile
Slate floor is ane of the well-nigh versatile, attractive, too durable varieties of natural rock tile. The look of the multi-colored stone complements diverse pattern styles.
The natural beauty of its colour is matched by its rare textured surface. Slate natural rock flooring is besides ane of the near lasting types of flooring. It has inherent forcefulness and stain resistant qualities.
Natural rock flooring is non simply long-lasting in addition to gorgeous, it may increment your real estate value. According to Realtor.com, close to experts believe that an investment in flooring might be your “unmarried biggest component” regarding your render on investment (ROI).
Slate Flooring Basics
Slate floor has amazing qualities that get in unique from other types of natural stone flooring. Here are close to of the virtually important qualities to assist y’all make up one’s mind if slate is a adept pick for yous.
What is Slate?
Slate is a metamorphic stone that is formed from shale or mudstone. It is a fine-grained stone amongst a layered, foliated, texture. The color of almost slate is dark to calorie-free grayness. Due to the presence of other minerals inwards the ground, slate comes inwards varying shades of dark-brown, yellow, blue, light-green, regal, together with ruddy.
Types of Slate Flooring Tile
There are 3 master types of slate tiles: calibrated, gauged, too ungauged.
- Calibrated Slate Tile – Calibrated tile are those that manufactures have earth downward to make a smooth surface on the peak too bottom. Interior designers purpose these sleek slate flooring tiles in modern and contemporary blueprint.
- Gauged Slate Tile – Gauged slate tile flooring is ground shine on the bottom but left with an uneven surface on the elevation. Decorators purpose these types of slate floors inward rustic or more traditional homes.
- Ungauged Slate Tile – Ungauged slate tile is in its near natural land. It is non ground on either the tiptop or the bottom, and so its natural texture remains on both sides. Most ungauged tile is used inwards outdoor installations like stepping stones.
Slate Tile Finishes
There are several finishes available for slate flooring tile, but nosotros will trammel our listing to the almost pop finishes: polished, honed, tumbled, in addition to clefted.
- Polished Slate Tile – Polished slate is sanded to create a shine together with shiny surface on the pinnacle of the tiles. This does create a more than slippery surface, then this may not live the best option for rooms with water like bathrooms.
- Honed Slate Tile – Honed slate tiles are sanded smoothen, merely non enough to make a smooth. Honed tile floor has more than bag too texture than polished tile floor. This is a skilful pick for a mod floor wait where you necessitate roughly texture.
- Tumbled Slate Tile – Tumbled slate tiles accept a more than textured surface, just have softened edges as well as surfaces.
- Clefted Slate Tile – Clefted slate tiles, also called natural slate, have a rough too uneven surface. Its uneven surface makes it skid resistant. Most natural slate flooring is used in rustic or traditional design.
Water Resistance
Slate is H2O resistant having a H2O absorption rate of but 0.four%. Therefore, this makes an excellent pick for rooms with H2O similar kitchens together with bathrooms.
Durability
All natural rock is long-lasting, in addition to slate is no exception. Slate is hard, merely it is softer in addition to more than brittle than some other natural stone flooring.
Therefore, piece it is resistant to scratches, it can scratch amongst heavy function or affect.
Slate tile floors are too fired together with stain-resistant as well as enshroud dust in addition to debris well. This makes it an first-class pick for heavy-traffic flooring material.
Slate Flooring Maintenance
It is important to seal slate on a regular footing in lodge to maintain its resistance to stains and scratches. Use a penetrating sealer which will shut the minor pores inward the stone. Reapply sealer each yr for the best protection.
Also, try to avoid dropping heavy objects on slate tile flooring as it tin can fissure. Replace whatever tiles that intermission to save the integrity of other nearby tiles. Save extra tiles from the initial tiling installation as tiles from other batches volition non live an exact gibe.
Mop to go on floors make clean on a regular basis. Use a cleaner that is made for natural stones, ane without lemon or vinegar.
Location for Use
Slate is a versatile fabric as well as is used equally roofing tiles, wall tiles, on countertops, in addition to for flooring tile. Homeowners function slate tile flooring inward both indoor and outdoor spaces.
For indoors, slate is pop inwards kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, together with even living rooms. People also function slate tiles for outdoor patio in addition to garden areas. For full general purposes, tile for indoor use is ane/4 inch thick. Tiles for outdoor use reach from 1/two inch to 3/four inch thick.
Installation
Slate tiles are brittle simply difficult. They are hard to install without the aid of particular tools like a tile saw. Also, to proceed tile from peachy, the subfloor needs to live installed to preclude flexing. This will proceed the tiles together with grout from developing cracks in the years to come up. Therefore, patch about homeowners tin can tackle this form of projection, more or less projects need professional person installation.
Slate Flooring Cost
According to HomeAdvisor, standard indoor slate tiles cost $iv-$x per square human foot. Premium slate tile costs upwards to $xv-$28 per foursquare pes. On average, slate tile installation costs $x-$xvi per foursquare pes or up to $twoscore per foursquare foot for high-terminate materials installation. For outside slate tiles, await to pay between $nine-$xl per foursquare pes for materials in addition to project.
Slate Flooring: Pros together with Cons
Slate floor is a natural stone together with has intrinsic beauty similar granite in addition to marble. There are unique problems with slate tile floor which means it plant in around areas but non inward others.
Pros
- Durability – Tough floor that volition concluding for decades alongside proper maintenance.
- Water Resistance – Slate has depression water absorption, and so adept for bathrooms in addition to kitchens.
- Versatility – Slate tiles are crafted in a diversity of styles that check whatever decorative manner scheme.
- Low Maintenance – Easy to maintain beyond sealing one time a year.
- Appearance – Beautiful natural look as well as feel of stone with multiple colour in addition to size tile variations.
- Cleanliness – Slate floor has low VOCs too does not off-gas similar others similar laminate flooring together with close to carpets.
Cons
- Installation – Installation for slate tile is tricky for beginners, then you may call for professional person help.
- Cost – Slate tiles accept a higher toll than laminate, vinyl, or rug. Slate costs less than other natural rock floor like marble
- Hardness – Slate tile floor is difficult to stand on for long periods of time. It is likewise less forgiving when you lot drib things on it.
- Temperature – Slate is common cold underfoot when the outdoor weather condition is cold. You tin mitigate this by nether the flooring heating together with rugs.
Slate Flooring Tile Design Ideas
Slate is popular inward dwelling house pattern in addition to used inward a variety of settings. We accept gathered approximately dissimilar uses of slate tile flooring and then that you can run into these varied contexts.
Slate Bathroom Floor
Slate is a popular flooring cloth for bathrooms because of its inherent H2O resistance. Unique Stone Imports used a rough textured slate tile inward this contemporary rustic San Diego bath. Textured tile is ideal for bathrooms to increase slip resistance.
Outdoor Slate Tile Flooring
Landscape architects too dwelling house builders use outdoor class slate tiles for patios together with porch spaces. Shiffler Builders created this elegant slate patio in addition to lined it with bricks to create contrast. Outdoor tile must accept a PEI class of three or higher to be suitable for the outdoors.
Slate Kitchen Floor
Wright Design created this European style kitchen using multi-size slate floor tiles. These honed tiles have a rounded border to make the wait of long clothing over fourth dimension.
Rustic Slate Tile Flooring
Slate tile does non always take a regular form. Charleston Building as well as Development used irregular stone similar tile to make the floor for this rustic dining room.
Slate Tile Flooring for Mudrooms
Herringbone is a pop blueprint for rectangular shaped slate tiles. This floor gives the mudroom an understated elegance, as well as because it is slate, it is as well durable.
Multi-Colored Slate Tile Flooring
Slate has amazing colour variation. Architectural Ceramics used multi-colored in addition to multi-sized slate tiles to create this floor amongst a rustic traditional style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Where tin can I notice slate floor tiles for sale?
Look for slate floor tiles at local dwelling improvement stores similar Home Depot and Lowes. For more than variety, expect inward your surface area for tile stores or expect online. There is a wide diverseness of sizes too styles, and then be specific inwards your needs as yous look for floor material that volition go for y’all.
What are the sizes of slate tiles?
The near common square sizes of slate tile reach from 2 inwards 10 two inward all the fashion upwards to two ft x ii ft. There are too rectangular shapes including 3 inward x six in, iv inward x 12 inward, in addition to six inward x 24 inwards. together with irregular stone shaped tile that varies inward sizes.
Can I purpose slate tile outdoor together with indoors?
Slate graded for just indoor function will take a PEI of 1 or two. Outdoor tile will accept a PEI of three or higher. Indoor tile is one/4 inch thick and outdoor tile must live at to the lowest degree 1/ii inch thick to stand upward to the clothing in addition to weather of outdoor role.
How tin I create the look of a slate tile floor amongst other materials?
Look for low-cal to night greyness ceramic or porcelain tile to create the await of slate without the high price.
Why is slate floor tiling more hard to install than other tiles?
Slate tile is difficult in addition to rattling brittle. You take specialized tools similar a tile saw rather than tile snipping tools to cutting the tile. You must create a degree as well as stable subfloor so that the slate volition not educate cracks over time.
Conclusion
There is no incertitude that slate flooring will increment the beauty too existent estate value of your home, merely it is non an ideal option for everyone. These floors are expensive together with hard underfoot. Slate floors are besides an choice that has a classic wait in addition to will suffer for years to come.
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