Is Slate Flooring Right for You?
Like any natural stone flooring, slate will addreal estate valueto your home.
It is generally a very good flooring material for heavy-traffic areas.
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There is a certain amount of maintenance that is required to keep a slate tile floor looking attractive.
The grout lines on slate tile are also vulnerable.
Regular sealing can help to some extent.
Design
There are innumerable solid colors and color combinations available when choosing slate floor tiles.
This uniqueness can make slate a good choice for highly visible areas, such as entryways or large kitchens.
It is less advantageous in rarely seen bedrooms or spaces that are mostly covered with rugs.
Slate is regarded as a relatively upscaleflooring material.
The same uniqueness that is one of slate’s virtues can also be a drawback.
Slate tile, like all natural stone, is difficult to cut without special tools.
For this reason, it is usually best to have pros install slate flooring tiles.
Slate is a very heavy material, and there are sometimes structural issues when installing it in upstairs rooms.
In some instances, you may even need to reinforce the floor structure to support the flooring.
The best stone tile retailers are local companies rather than national brands.
Slate tiles come in several different textures.
This form is most often employed in wet environments where the extra traction can help prevent slipping.
In other environments, though, cleft slate can be uncomfortable underfoot.
Consider this when choosing slate flooring for a particular room.
Slate flooring, as well as other forms of natural stone, are great for radiating heat.
This attribute makes slate a good choice for bathrooms, provided it is well maintained to keep it waterproof.
But without radiant heat, slate can be very chilly underfoot.
This can be a particular problem in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other locations where you often walk barefoot.
This can be offset to some extent by the use of area rugs.
Slate vs.
Moreover, lower-quality slate can be crumbly and doesn’t hold up quite as well as nearly indestructible granite.
Granite is usually slightly less expensive than slate, though the costs are fairly comparable.
Granite is so popular that it’s become a little common; a slate floor will always draw attention.
Slate has a subtle elegance that is lacking with granite.
But before choosing slate, you should also consider its high cost and maintenance needs.
