Installing Slate Flooring

by Felix on November 26, 2009

Slate flooring is a fantastic option for both home and business, giving designers a unique and flexible material to employ in their home.  Slate has many advantages, including its affordability and resilience.  Slate flooring has a very fine molecular structure, giving it a resistance to spills.  Spills should be very easy to clean up, as slate will not absorb the moisture.  Slate is also very resistant to stains and dirt.  Simple care should keep a slate floor clean without too much trouble.

Because of the wide spectrum of origins for slate in the natural world, it can be found in a variety of shades and colors.  Slate flooring can be purchased in everything from dark charcoal shades, to bright reds or greens.  Consumers enjoy a very broad selection of patterns to choose from when it comes to slate flooring, giving each floor a unique look.  The cleft texture of slate flooring makes it very tough, resisting scratches as well as general wear and tear.  The slate texture also provides a great anti-slip surface, making it a excellent choice for in the kitchen or work areas.

The combination of a safe work surface and stain resistance make slate one of the greatest all around kitchen appropriate flooring materials available.  In addition to its affordability, slate flooring has the advantage of several unique patterns to select from.  Glosses can also be added to slate flooring, bringing another dynamic to its uniqueness.  Laying out slate flooring can be done without professional help, but it requires a significant investment of time and a set of tools.  A diamond bladed saw provides the sharpness to cut through slate.  Thinset must also be used in the installation, which is used to secure the tile to the underlayment.

With a smooth concrete surface, no underlayment may be required.  With hardwood subfloors, or cracked concrete, an underlayment of concrete will be required to begin the installation the right way.  It is essential that the correct thinset be used with certain tile sets.  The thinset bonds the tile to the underlayment, and if done improperly the floor can gradually begin drifting.  Be sure to have a big bucket and something to clean up mortar that spreads across tile surfaces.

Before installing slate flooring, check out the packaging of the slate tile.  Tiles commonly end up shattered after arriving at the store.  If any are broken, be sure that replacements match the original tile.

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