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How to Install Slate Flooring

Posted August 22nd, 2009 by admin

Slate flooring is a excellent choice for both home and business, giving decorators a unique and flexible material to use in their home.  Slate has many benefits, including its affordability and durability.  Slate flooring has a very fine molecular structure, giving it a resistance to spills.  Spills should be very simple to clean up, as slate will not absorb the water.  Slate is also exceptionally resistant to stains and dirt.  Simple care should keep a slate floor clean without too much trouble.

Because of the extensive spectrum of sources for slate in the natural world, it can be found in a variety of shades and colors.  Slate flooring is available in anything from dark charcoal shades, to powerful reds or greens.  Consumers also have a wide range of patterns to select 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 safe surface that won’t become slippery, making it a excellent choice for in the kitchen or work areas.

The combination of good stain resistance and anti-slip properties make slate one of the best all around kitchen appropriate flooring materials available.  As well as to its affordability, slate flooring benefits from a wide range of unique patterns to choose from.  Glosses can also be added to slate flooring, giving another dynamic to its uniqueness.  Installation of slate flooring can be done without professional help, but it requires a good deal of time as well as tools.  A diamond bladed saw will be required to cut the tiles.  Thinset must also be purchased along with the tile, 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 needed to begin the installation the right way.  It is crucial that the correct thinset be used with particular tile sets.  The thinset bonds the tile to the underlayment, and if done improperly the floor can gradually begin shifting.  Be sure to have a sizable bucket and something to clean up mortar that spreads across tile surfaces.

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

Tags: flooring, Slat Tile, Slate Flooring