BDU Stone Tile Flooring and Countertop College™
Slate: No Slip-Ups
What you will learn: The origins of slate; applications of slate as flooring;
practical advantages of slate; how slate is cut and varieties available; definitions
of "gauge" and "calibration" in reference to slate; about color variations in slate.
Slate’s naturally slip-resistant surface is very hard and durable, with varied
colors and features that have served builders and architects for centuries. Suitable
for indoor as well as outdoor applications, slate satisfies several natural stone flooring
needs....
Slate has been a popular choice through centuries and across continents for both practical
and decorative uses. Slate is formed by means of tremendous pressure and heat from deep
in the earth, and found most commonly along continental coasts all over the world. The harsh
beginnings which formed the slate give way to a rock that stands up to wear as well as one
that reveals a singular beauty. Slate flooring is typified by earthy color variations that
make each tile unique.
Slate is often installed as flooring for use in foyers, hallways and bathrooms as well as for
poolside surfaces, due in large part to its characteristic slip-resistance, a common consideration
in these areas. One of the most popular textures available in slate is that of the "split face"
variety, which is particularly effective when looking for this slip-resistant feature. With a
range of colors that vary from orange, to beige, to greens and purples, slate offers a distinct
aesthetic dimension as well, adding to its value as a decorative natural stone tile as well as
a practical one.
Cutting Slate: Gauge
At the production stage, slate tile processing proceeds with the idea that an installation
should be as easy as possible. The first principle in working with any kind of interlocking
building material, such as slate, is the dimensional uniformity of the material. The term
"gauge" refers to the process of making sure that the slate tiles have been cut square, allowing
them to be as uniform as possible when it comes time to install them. Working with slate that
is square will allow for a more straight-forward installation, saving time and money for everyone
concerned.
Cutting Slate: Calibration
Another term you will commonly hear when looking for slate, or any natural stone for that matter,
is "calibration." This refers to the surface of the stone and the process whereby each tile is cut
to a specified thickness in relation to other tiles of its variety. Once again, this process is done
with simplicity of installation in mind. The slate is machine honed on the back to either a flat or
combed finish, and in both cases is made even to achieve uniformity. One of the most vital elements in
laying any flooring is to ensure that the resulting flooring is absolutely level, and the process of
calibration at this stage of production addresses this requirement. Along with gauge, this mechanical
processes of calibration helps to make sure that the slate is cut in such a way as to be practical as well
as aesthetically pleasing.
Color variation in slate
Because slate is made from a natural stone, you can expect a certain level of color variation from tile
to tile. This is because of the fluctuation of the amounts of minerals and other compounds unique to each
individual tile. Although this can be seen as a disadvantage if you’re looking for a monochromatic effect,
it can really work in your favor when laying your slate with a more diverse design approach in mind. These
natural color variations allow you to be creative when it comes time to laying out each tile, making a unique
statement with the individual slate tiles you have at your disposal; let your imagination run wild! No other
slate floor will look exactly like yours! For this, a good idea is to open all of the boxes of slate you’ve
purchased to see the full spectrum of the natural stone in unique to your batch. This will allow you to plan
out how you wish to design your floor in a dry run, much like you would do with ceramic tile or granite tile.
Slate is a popular, practical, and decorative natural stone tile solution for flooring. The slate option
is a great choice when you’re looking for a surface that is slip resistant, and one that is specifically
designed to be uniform for the most level and even surface possible. With the natural color variations,
you have the option of getting creative when it comes time to install your slate, and you can really make
a unique statement that will make your floor truly distinctive
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