Flooring Slate Is A Wise Choice

In recent decades, people have recognized the value of using stone in both the construction and decoration of their homes. Stone countertops are set into kitchens during a renovation or construction, as well as being used for window sills, sinks and hearthstones; you name it. Stone choices, like granite, slate and marble are all durable and beautiful. And granite and slate have often been used as roofing materials. Now another trend has been growing in a big way, which is the use of flooring slate.

Slate is formed under extreme pressure, so the molecules of the stone develop in parallel lines. This means both slate floor tile and roofing slate tile products are easy to produce because the rock splits readily into flat chunks. Some slate fades very little, while other types have a higher percentage of iron and calcium, and will therefore weather and turn slightly brown over time. Unlike the wide range of granite colors, slate is generally restricted to black, and shades of green, brown and red. But that isn't really a problem for slate flooring, since homeowners don't want their floors drawing all the attention, and are not likely to want elaborate colors.

While slate splits naturally flat, flooring slate can be shaped into quite different forms. If unpolished and left somewhat rough, it can be placed in a garden or yard as flagstones. Whereas a slate tile wall, which you might see in a bathroom, could use tiles cut into uniform shapes, with sharp, straight edges to form tight joints, with a smoothly honed surface. The same process might be used for slate flooring tiles, or more curious shapes of stone might be fit together to form a pattern.

One distinct advantage of flooring slate is that it is such an environmentally friendly material. It's a natural product that doesn't need a lot of repair or frequent replacing. Both roofing slate and slate tile flooring have a long life expectancy with a certain minimum standard of maintenance. The stone is fire-resistant, which adds to the safety of the home, potentially reducing insurance costs and increasing the value of the home itself. With its cleanliness, durability and natural beauty, slate is one of the wise, environmentally friendly possibilities in current home construction or renovations.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treatment for anxiety attacks as well as tips on the various medications for panic disorder available at anxietydisordercure.com.