Slate tile stone flooring can be used practically anywhere from a kitchen, to a front hallway, to a bathroom, and in outdoor uses such as pool surrounds and patio tile. In addition to this versatility, slate features one of the most naturally slip-resistant surfaces available. For areas where this is important – in the front entrance way of a commercial or public property, or in a bathroom where wetness is expected, for instance – slate delivers one of the most durable and decorative surfaces available, as well as being a highly practical surface to greatly reduce the possibility of slipping on your floor. So, as you can see, slate tile stone flooring certainly offers a wide range of advantages. But where does slate come from exactly, and how is it prepared for use as tile?

Origins and nature of slate

Slate is found in large deposits most commonly concentrated in continental coastal regions. These areas are where ancient oceans collected silt and other mineral elements which remain long after these oceans have receded. The material elements left behind in these former ocean beds - soil, clay and other random minerals - are exposed to tremendous pressures and heat over the course of millennia. The heat and pressure to which these materials are subject forge them into a rugged, naturally durable stone we recognize as slate. The minerals that are often found in slate – quartz, mica, chlorite, and others – act as stabilizing agents, allowing the slate to be very resistant to all kinds of stresses. This mixture of random materials explains the naturally varied hues from tile to tile, given that the mineral content in the stone will be equally varied. The harsh beginnings of slate tile stone flooring makes for a very durable, and visually striking material that is highly suitable for flooring for an inside or outside project

Tonally Varied Slate Tile Stone Flooring

As it has been mentioned earlier, slate is made up of random elements, and there are natural color variations to be expected in every batch of slate tile. No slate tile floor is identical to any other. If you’re looking for a chance to let your designer’s eye guide your flooring project, you will have made a great choice in slate tile flooring. Once you’ve ordered your slate tile and you’ve had the batch delivered, it is a good idea to open all of the boxes to see the range of color that is unique to your shipment. Once again, no slate tile flooring project is the same as the next, so this is your chance to explore the layout possibilities in a “dry run”. This involves laying out your slate tile without applying the mortar, to help you get the best visual result. The natural variations from tile to tile in this sense is a significant advantage to the overall effect your slate tile flooring project will have on your interior or exterior. This “dry run”, and the opening of all boxes you get, will also help you in the case of thickness variation in the slate tile as well.

Learn more about slate tile flooring and buy at: http://www.builddirect.com/Slate-Tile.aspx

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