In recent years, people have recognized the great value of using stone in their homes. Builders and renovators have integrated granite and marble countertops into kitchens, stone hearthstones around fireplaces, window sills, and so on. Stone is chosen partly for its beauty, but varieties like granite, marble and slate are also durable. Granite and slate have been used as roofing materials, with slate roofs sometimes lasting for hundreds of years. And now a further trend, namely flooring slate, is increasing.

Slate is formed under extreme pressure, so the molecules of the stone develop in parallel lines. This means both slate floor tile and roofing slate tile products are easy to produce because the rock splits readily into flat chunks. Some slate fades very little, while other types have a higher percentage of iron and calcium, and will therefore weather and turn slightly brown over time. Unlike the wide range of granite colors, slate is generally restricted to black, and shades of green, brown and red. But that isn’t really a problem for slate flooring, since homeowners don’t want their floors drawing all the attention, and are not likely to want elaborate colors.

Flooring slate, while it splits naturally flat, can be further shaped so it looks quite different in different contexts. For example, it may be left unpolished and somewhat rough if used for flagstones in a garden, whereas a slate tile wall, such as one might find in bathrooms, may see the stone cut into uniform shapes, the surface honed smooth, and the edges cut straight and sharp to form tight joints. Slate flooring tiles, too, might be cut and honed this way, or it may be left in various shapes that are then put together to form a pattern.

In these times, one advantage of flooring slate is its environmentally friendly nature. As a natural stone product, it doesn’t require either frequent repair or replacement. Slate flooring and roofing tiles both have a considerable life expectancy if maintained to a certain minimum standard. This fire-resistant stone can help make the home safer, increasing the value of the residence and potentially reducing insurance costs. As a clean, durable and naturally beautiful material, slate can be an environmentally friendly choice during renovations or in home construction.

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