When one is thinking about laying stone tiles, slate tiles are one of the types that comes to mind. They are one of the most versatile stones. They can be used for floors or walls and some even use them to cover furniture. They look especially effective in a bathroom providing coolness or warmth depending on season. What makes natural slate tiles so useful?

Many other stone tiles tend to be expensive due to the hard quarrying process and the cost of importing. Slate used as slate tiles is one of the most economical materials. Even imported slate tiles can usually be bought for less than other stone tiles.

Slate tiles come in a wide variety and can be found in almost any color, size, and shape you could want. They also come in a variety of finishes such as a rough clefted surface, a smooth polished look, or a soft honed finish.

Slate tiles are very durable and resistant making looking after them generally easy. The level of treatment required depending on their use. Floors covered with slate tiles get the most physical abuse.

The natural properties of slate tiles make them highly resistant to the pressures of even the busiest areas. Slate floors require a first treatment of a penetrating sealer after installation, usually about three coats are required. An optional finish that will seal its pores can also be applied. Cleaning will then be as simple as using soap and water.

If countertops are covered with slate tiles because of their use they should be treated in the same way. Extra care should be taken to areas that are used more often. Walls and backsplashes do not require so much treatment. Home furnishings don’t need much treatment at all but you may like to apply some treatment as this brings out the natural colors in the slate.

As slate tiles are very durable they can be used in basements, kitchens, walkways, indoors, outdoors, and almost anywhere without much physical harm coming to them. Like most stone slate tiles can be chipped or cracked but it is a tough material that can stand most abuse. Take care to use a reliable tiler who will install them properly. If they are there is no reason for you to ever have to replace any of them.

Where does slate come from? Slate forms within the earth in veins that run through the ground. It is extracted in the form of enormous slabs, often containing random colors tones and hues. These properties depend on the various chemicals which were present in the ground during its formation.

Because of this slate tiles come in many colors, colors depending from which country they are imported from. The nature of any batch of slate tiles is also seasonal, they have a distinct look which makes them slightly different from the stones quarried at any other time. This means that this natural stone is unique for any particular batch, making your use completely individual to your home.

Nothing looks better than slate tiles, beautify your home with slate tiles and see how they add beauty to your home.