Slate Flooring: A Versatile Flooring Option
Slate flooring is a great option for your home or your office because it is so versatile. Slate is reasonably priced and very durable. Slate is very water resistant because it is a composite material made up of fine materials. You can easily wipe up spills from slate because the moisture will not be absorbed into the material. Slate also is resistant to damage from stains and dirt and is easy to keep clean.
Slate comes from all over the world so it is available in many different colors and shades. You can find slate in reds, greens or browns and any other color you can imagine. You can also find a slate pattern to go with any decor and create a unique and different look in your home or office. Slate is a material that will not easily scratch and holds up well to normal wear and tear. Another benefit, especially in kitchens and baths, is that slate is not a slippery surface.
Slate is a great value for the money for your kitchen with its resistance to stains, water and scratches and the non-slip surface it provides. You can make your kitchen as unique as you want and match the slate to any color or design theme you can think of. For a really special look, you can add a gloss to the slate floor. It is possible to install slate flooring on your own without professional help but you must make sure you have all the right tools. The tools required include a saw with a diamond blade to cut through the slate tiles. Also, you will need some thinset material which you will use to secure the slate tiles to the underfloor material.
If you are installing a slate floor directly on a concrete floor that is smooth and even you can get away with not using any underlayment. When installing slate over wood subfloors or concrete that is not in good shape, you will need a base layer of concrete underneath the slate. Using thinset with your slate tiles is incredibly important because without it the tiles will not be bonded to the underflooring and can move as time goes on. Make sure you use water and a rag to clean up the mortar as you go.
When you buy a package of slate tiles, make sure all the tiles in the box are in good shape and are not damaged or broken. Make sure any tiles they give you to replace broken ones match the originals.