SETTING YOU STRAIGHT ON SLATE
Slate began some four hundred million years ago as sediment at the bottom of ancient seas, and hardened over time forming compressed layers up to seven miles thick. As the continents were squeezed together by ocean rock beneath, these materials were forced upward, creating mountains of slate as it appears today.
These natural stones are an incredible building material, known to civilizations throughout the ages for its durability, natural beauty and versatility. The selection of slate products and hence, its popularity, are the result of the pioneering efforts of a few stone manufacturers and suppliers specializing in natural stone, to bring more varieties of slate from around the world to the market. The natural colors, textures and inherent qualities are in tune with today's lifestyle demands for a home with more warmth, elegance, charm, durability, and, best of all, easy maintenance.
A properly installed slate floor, which can most often be found in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and any other high traffic areas of a home, can be a work of real beauty. It can be used on both walls and floors and will give the homeowner a lifetime of enjoyment and discovery of patterns and colors that emerge with the change of its surroundings. The owner may also be surprised by how pleasant slate is to walk on, even barefoot, because unlike glazed tiles, slate breathes and keeps a pleasant ambient temperature.
A successful slate project begins with buying a high quality slate, and having it professionally installed. The slate should be properly calibrated or gauged for thickness. Un-calibrated slate is very difficult and time consuming to install, even for the most experienced installer. (Un-calibrated means that the slate has natural cleft on both sides of the stone, and the pieces can vary in thickness.) We recommend that, to make your installation a smooth one, you choose a slate that is calibrated or "gauged". Gauged slate has natural cleft on one side and "grooves" on the other. The pieces come boxed and are the same thickness. It's very similar to laying a ceramic tile. A professional installation includes subfloor preparation, setting everything level with tightly spaced joints, grouting, cleaning and sealing.
Yes, you should seal your slate. Just as all natural stone applications should be sealed. Though slate varies in porosity, unprotected it can be stained by household products. Choose a high quality sealant which will protect against stains while leaving your slate looking natural. The rule of thumb for re-sealing your floor is that when water no longer beads up, it's time to re-seal. For some folks that's every two years, for some it's four to five years. It all depends upon usage.
Avoid shiny sealants which will show traffic patters as dull areas. Remember: the low maintenance is one of the attractions of natural slate. In fact, a properly sealed floor only requires periodic sweeping and damp mopping with clean water without soap to protect the sealer. Now all that is left is to enjoy!
