An Overview of Slate Tiles
Post Date: 2008-9-24 18:37:12
This unique, exotic stone is frequently referred to as a rebellious alternative to the ordinary, uninteresting granite standard of stonework, because of its similar strength and resistance to weathering.
Sizes
Slate is a stone naturally mined from stone quarries and mountains worldwide. This material, when removed, looks like sizable boulders of rock. These boulders are finished into square shapes, and then cut into sizes and forms that can be easily used.
Slate tiles are available in standard sizes of 12 inches by 12 inches. Other tiles, however, are available in 16-inch, or even 24-inch squares. These tiles can often be found in thicknesses of one-half to three-fourths inches deep. Sizes larger than 24 inches square are usually described as slabs. Essentially, slabs are larger, thicker, and more irregularly shaped than tiles.
Tiles can also be cut into smaller squares. In fact, a skilled fabricator is able to cut these tiles into various exotic forms, and even circles. Although most 12-inch square tiles are available in thicknesses of 3/8 inches, this number can vary slightly. Slate stones are dimensional in nature, and this affects the tiles thickness.
Finishing
Slate tiles can be purchased with many different types of finishes.
For example, the most dimensional finish is available when clefted slate is used. This form of stone features peaks, as well as breaks, within the stones surface. This type of finish, often described as natural, appears to have been removed directly from a mountainside. This is actually the case. Additionally, the degree of cleft present in a stone differs depending on the type of material. While some tiles are flat, they are still referred to as clefted, because they are not perfectly smooth but feature a rare bump or rise in the surface. Other tiles that have huge bumps, breaks, and crevasses are also described as clefted. Handle the stone to get a concept of the amount of cleft present. This quality will have a significant impact on how workable the stone is, or how level it would be if walked on. These stones provide the most traction and prevention against slipping.
Another type of finish is honed slate. This type of tile has been smoothed with the use of a powered sander or polisher until it is nearly flat and smooth. Honed slate often features alterations in color. Usually colors are less bright, although sometimes interesting patterns arise from the grinding down of peaks and crevasses that were previously present. These tiles are not as protective against slipping, but do provide an intermediate degree of traction.
Slate can also be polished until it achieves a high gloss, or luster. Only certain types of slate can be polished to this extent; others can only become hi-honed.
In contrast, brushed slate is ground down only to the point where the peaks are removed from the clefts. The dimensional nature of the stone is unaffected.
Gauged tiles are leveled at the factory until each is approximately of the same thickness. Only top-quality gauged materials should be used; if tiles are not all the same size, the project will be full of gaps.
Exterior Slate Tiles
Certain types of slate are useful for outdoor projects, while others are not. The chemical structure of the tile is the primary characteristic that defines how useful the tile will be outdoors. Red slates, for example, are not durable if used outside. The reason for this is that the red hue often results from iron oxide that has formed on the stones surface. Iron oxide is the same compound that creates rust, and the tile responds in to iron oxide in much the same way that metal responds to rust. It tends to crumble after prolonged exposure to rain and snow.
Other factors affecting the stones durability include its ability to absorb water, and the degree to which it tends to cleft, or split.
Any slate product that is used outdoors should be sealed with a water-resistant sealant that clogs the stones pores. Additionally, understand that the effects of normal weathering include the dulling of colors present in natural slate tiles.
Proper Tile Care and Maintenance
Typically, slate absorbs very little water. Therefore, stains or other liquids rarely permeate the stones pores or damage the stone internally. Water-resistant sealants are usually applied to slate tiles during the installation process. This protects the stone against molds or stains.
Using a sealer like this also helps the slate to appear brighter, and the colors to seem more vibrant. Unless a sealant is regularly re-applied, however, the colors will tend to fade with the effects of time. In fact, tiles can even be treated with sealants yearly to provide added protection against high traffic and stains.
Slate is easily cleaned, and normally can be thoroughly cleaned with a combination of soap and water. Other soaps with stripping agents are also available at local dealers that are designed to remove deep dirt stains.
Practical features
Slate is typically used for the construction of floors as well as counter tops. It can, however, be used for almost any home project, including back splashes or fireplace surrounds. In fact, this material is also used in a group of home decorating projects that were engineered and created by PebbleArt. It is frequently used in bathroom renovations because of its resistance to slipping and ability to conceal dirt.
These same features cause slate to be a popular material for kitchen construction as well.
Slate tiles are available in hundreds of colors. Individual colors may vary significantly from lot to lot. Carefully check the boxes when you buy them. In addition, buy one or two additional boxes, in the event that a tile breaks later. The same color, purchased later, may often be a shade or two different from the tiles in the boxes you have purchased.
Frequently, both restaurant and hotel buildings frequently are constructed with slate floors. These help to prevent falls, which can result in expensive legal proceedings.
Slate is frequently used as well for roofing materials.
Locating Slate Deposits
A significant quantity of slate can be found in certain American states, including Vermont. Frequently, however, unusual colors are quarried in places like Turkey, many South American countries, India, Turkey, or Pakistan.
Typically, boulders containing slate are mined from a stone quarry, and then sent to distributing companies in freight containers. Often, such containers hold up to millions of dollars in slate tiles. These tiles are then held at warehouses until they are purchased by architects or designers for use in home or commercial building projects.
From: Lia_Allayne
