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Slate
Tile Flooring Advantages
Natural Slate Tile is Perfect for Inside and Outside the Home
By Mark J. Donovan
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A few years back I wanted to install slate tile flooring in
my home’s main entranceway however in the end I wound up going with 12”x12”
ceramic tiles that very closely resembled a slate tile color and texture.
The tiles I selected also had a slightly brushed and honed finish that left
the tile surface with a smooth and flat like surface, but with some texture
around the edges and with various color tones radiating outward.
One of the main reasons I was interested in a slate tile floor was its
natural look. |
It’s a beautiful stone that is ideal to work with and that can be used
indoors or outdoors. In addition, due to its natural color it is great at hiding
any dirt that may be tracked into an entranceway. Also, due to the fact that it
is quarried from many parts of the world there are numerous shades of color and
textures to choose from. Slate flooring tiles also come in a variety of shapes,
sizes and thicknesses. For example, you can find slate floor tiles that range in
sizes from 6”x6” to 24”x24”. The larger tiles are usually more appropriate for
outdoor applications and/or on concrete slabs. Slate tiles also come in
rectangular shapes, so that you can create various layout patterns when tiling a
floor. Slate floor tiles also range in thickness from ¼ inch to ¾ inch thick,
however the ¼ inch thick tile is most commonly used due to cost and installation
advantages.
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Slate floor tiles also come in several finishes. The
polished finish yields a highly smooth and glossy slate floor tile and looks
similar to marble tile. The honed finished, as I already mentioned, yields a
smooth, slightly glossy, flat finish. Natural or cleft finish slate tiles
are left unfinished. They are not sanded or polished down, thus yielding a
more rough textured finished. Lastly there is the brushed finish. Brushed
finish slate floor tiles are effectively cleft tiles with their ridges and
points slightly sanded down. |
One of the nice advantages of slate tile flooring is its ability to hide dirt
and other materials that may have inadvertently been brought into the home. The
reason for this is that slate tile flooring typically has a slightly darker
appearance. Moreover, due to the fact that slate floor tiles are darker you can
use darker grout and thus prevent the grout from being discolored via dirt and
debris.
| Slate tile is also difficult to scratch, stain, or damage,
thus making it perfect for high traffic areas including kitchens,
entranceways and hallways. This advantage is also why it’s popular outside
the home as well. The only time slate floor tile is at risk of damage is
during the transportation and installation of it. Also, if you select a
natural or cleft finished slate tile it is slip resistant, again making it
ideal for entranceways. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
In regards to installing slate tile flooring I would recommend using a
professional installer. Slate tiles are difficult to cut and can break easily.
Depending upon their size and thickness they can also be fairly difficult to
handle and transport. As with any tile flooring installation, there should be a
solid underlayment floor installed first that is both smooth and level. In
addition, thinset mortar should be used to set the slate tiles in place. After
the tiles have cured for at least 24 hours they can then be grouted and sealed.
When grouting slate tile flooring, make sure to immediately and frequently wipe
off any excess grout after grouting every few tiles, as slate tile is very
porous.
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