Everything Slate

Unlike marble and granite, slate is born from sediment deposits that have transformed into stone, called shale, due to pressure and heat from the burial process. Overtime as the heat and pressure intensify on the shale, this shale stone soon transforms into slate. Slate is best described as brittle stone that splits into layers. Don’t be fooled though. While slate sounds like a rugged yet fragile stone to work with, it is very versatile and works well in many applications as proof by the various and successful types of uses of it for the last 100+ years.

Because slate comes in tile, slab, strips and chips it has the ability to enhance any type of structure, building, or landscape indoors or out. The possibilities slate offers include flooring, countertops, tubs, mantles, fireplaces, outdoor walls, walkways, water features, landscaping, driveways, roofing, and even mailboxes. Slate has been time tested for the last century as just about every American and European home was been built with slate stone in some capacity. Slate finishes range from beautiful polished gloss finishes soft to the touch to uncut and raw as if had just been excavated from the mountainside.

As you would suspect by its formation the color palette of slate revolves mainly around earth tones, yet it does vary in color (reds, purples, yellows) depending on the region it is mined from. The colors and shades of this stone as produced by mother-nature a rarely anything less than spectacular.

Today, slate is low cost, affordable and easy to find. Choosing slate will prove to be a worthwhile investment considering application life expectancy is lifetime. If you like the look of slate, the results will be incomparable.

Installing slate can prove to be an easy do it yourself project if supplier instructions are followed. Take careful measure to use a masonry blade (with coarse teeth) to properly and safely cut slate. No matter what the application take careful measure to install your slate on a structurally solid and dry surface with proper support. If the surface is not solid and supportive, you will most likely encounter problems down the road.

Slate does not require any sealant prior to or after installation. However, you can choose a matte or shiny finish from your sales representative. When cleaning slate, simply use a pH balanced detergent or pure soap with a rag or scrub brush depending on the type of finish. No chemical cleaners are needed.

The only significant drawback of slate is that because of that fact that it is a soft stone, it is easily scratched. Hence, we encourage low traffic indoor applications of this stone. But, we do find that installing slate with decors (indoor or outdoor) where wear and tear is welcome as a means of accentuating the environment, slate fits very nicely.

July 16, 2008 · Filed Under Marble, Granite, Ceramics

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