When it comes to improving your home or commercial building, few materials can beat natural slate stone. This timeless material is available in a wide variety of styles and patterns, giving you plenty of design options.
Not only does slate work well for roofing and exterior paving, but it also looks great on interior floors, countertops, flagging and steps. Read on to learn more about the practical benefits of using this natural stone in your next project!
Versatility
Slate stone is a natural material that can be used for various types of design projects. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for modern and traditional homes alike.
It comes in a variety of colors that can be easily matched with other building materials. This allows you to create a more cohesive look without having to worry about the hues being out of place or clashing with your décor.
Another key benefit of slate is that it’s durable. This means that you won’t have to replace the surface of your building often, which is a good thing for the environment and your wallet.
Slate is also resistant to molds and mildews. This is because the stone is almost non-porous and has an inorganic nature. Its low water absorption rate also helps prevent it from being prone to stains.
Durability
Slate is a metamorphic rock of sedimentary origin composed of quartz, sericite and minerals from the chlorite group. Its colors vary depending on its mineral structure and size. Dark slates are usually black or dark blue, while reddish and purple varieties owe their color to finely divided iron sulfide.
Slate stone is formed when shale buried deep in the earth’s crust undergoes changes due to heat from underground magma and pressure (caused by tectonic movements) metamorphosing clay minerals into mica and chlorite. The resulting rock can be naturally formed in thin, parallel foliated plates with 0.01mm or less space between each foliation.
This unique cleavage allows for the production of flat sheets, which are easy to manufacture and stack. Gauged slate is a popular choice for flooring, while ungauged slate is preferred for outdoor applications such as stepping stones. Slate tiles can be either brushed or polished, and can be used to complement any interior design scheme.
Aesthetics
Slate is a versatile natural stone that can be used in various ways to enhance the aesthetics of your design projects. It is a beautiful choice for countertops, backsplashes and flooring because it offers unique color combinations, textures and finishes that you won’t find with other types of stone.
Slate comes in a variety of colors, including gray, terra cotta red, green and chocolate brown. It also has a matte finish that feels soft to the touch and is highly durable.
It is also available in honed flat finishes, which create a more 3-D appearance. This allows you to get a more dramatic effect, which is especially nice for accent walls.
Another way to incorporate slate into your design is to use it as a countertop material in your kitchen or bathroom. The low water absorption capacity, stain resistance and long-lasting durability make it an ideal choice for your next kitchen or bathroom project.
Eco-friendliness
Slate is considered a green or eco-friendly material. It can be a great choice for any design project.
It can be used for roofing, flooring, backsplashes and wall cladding. It is easy to clean, resistant to moisture and rot, and offers good insulation.
A slate roof can also add a touch of elegance to your home, whether you’re building a new construction or updating an existing one. It’s also a great option for outdoor living spaces, such as patios or porches.
You can even use slate for kitchens, bathrooms and shower trays. They’re waterproof and easy to clean, so they’re ideal for any room of the house.
If you’re planning an outdoor space, you can also add a natural stone pizza oven or fire pit to give your backyard a rustic yet refined look. Slate is also a great choice for outdoor flooring, because it can withstand heavy foot traffic. It’s a durable material that can last for centuries.