Slate, with its unique charm and distinctive appearance, stands as a testament to the beauty of natural materials in home design. When incorporated into your decor, slate flooring not only adds a timeless and elegant appeal to any room but also brings a touch of sophistication that complements various interior styles. In our comprehensive guide to slate flooring, we delve into the rich characteristics of this remarkable stone.
Discover the diverse color palette and textures that slate offers, allowing you to tailor your flooring to match the ambiance and aesthetic preferences of your space. We explore the durability of slate, highlighting its resilience to heavy foot traffic, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in your home.
Additionally, our guide provides insights into the maintenance and care of slate flooring, ensuring that you can enjoy its beauty for years to come. Whether you’re considering slate for your kitchen, living room, or bathroom, our guide aims to be your go-to resource for all the essential information to help you make an informed decision and transform your space with the enduring allure of slate.
How to choose slate flooring
Contrary to popular opinion, slate does not just come in one colour. In fact, slate tiles are available in a wide range of different shades and finishes which can be used to create a unique look for your flooring. Choose from dramatic black slate or lighter toned grey tiles to match your colour scheme, or for something different, opt for gorgeous green slate with a natural depth of colour within each tile.
You can also decide between honed tiles which can be polished smooth, or textured riven slate for a more rustic style. While slate itself has a distinctive appeal, it can be used in a range of applications to complement the rest of your interiors.
How to prepare for slate tiles
Natural stone tiles such as slate need to be laid on a completely flat surface, so make sure that the existing underfloor is suitable before you order slate flooring. Once you have bought them it is worth setting out the floor tiles in order to check the different colourings of each of them and then blend them together accordingly so that the natural variation of the stone is mitigated.
A professional fitter who has experience with slate tiles is recommended to ensure that they are laid correctly and left looking their best. Furthermore, using products like EASYJoint Pro by Azpects can help ensure that the joints between the slate tiles are not only securely filled but also enhance the overall durability and aesthetics of the flooring.
How to maintain slate flooring
Like other stone flooring such as limestone and marble, slate requires specialist care to keep it looking good. This natural material is worth the maintenance as its beauty will far outshine any imitation products such as laminate or ceramic.
Keep your flooring clean by regularly sweeping or vacuuming up any particles such as dirt or grit which, if left to build up, can start to scratch the surface of the tiles over time. Avoid using acidic cleaning agents as these can damage the stone, and only use products specially designed for use on slate flooring.