Slate

Looking to learn more about slate? You’ve come to the right place. We’re covering slate this week as part of a series in which we give in-depth looks at different surfacing materials. Prior to slate, we’ve taken a look at several other materials, including Dekton, Radianz, Silestone, Travertine, Caesarstone, and Limestone. In doing this, we hope to not only offer you detailed information on the specified product but also to help you in narrowing down the search for a surfacing material for your residential or commercial need. Because let’s be honest, you probably aren’t reading up on slate for your own health. If you are, we stand corrected and tip our hats to you! No matter your purpose in reading this, you’ll be exposed to a plethora of what we hope is relevant information. With each different profile look, we cover what exactly the material is, how it’s formed and sourced, as well as its advantages (and sometimes disadvantages). For formality's sake, we’ll stick to this same formula when talking about slate. Read below to find out more!

What Is Slate?

According to Geology.com, slate is “a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that is created by the alteration of shale or mudstone by low-grade regional metamorphism.”

What Are The Advantages Of Slate?

Slate Is Maintenance-Free

One of slate’s best selling features is the fact that it’s relatively maintenance-free. Because slate is naturally a nonporous material, you won’t have to worry about sealing it to keep out undesired contaminants like many other surfacing materials may require. This characteristic makes it great for both interior and exterior purposes as it absorbs minimal water. In addition to absorbing little contaminants and water, cleaning is also a breeze. While many other materials require the use of cleaning products, slate does not; all that is required to keep the surface clean is water making it an eco-friendly choice as well!

Slate Is Durable

In addition to being a relatively maintenance-free material, slate is also known to be one of the most durable materials in the world. While others may weather and crumble over time, slate, much like concrete, persists.

Slate Adds Value

Because of the many advantages it touts such as unmatched durability and care-free maintenance, slate is often more expensive upfront than other surfacing products. While this is true, adding slate to your home adds value after the fact.

Where Is Slate Best Used?

Slate has been known to be used for both residential and commercial purposes as it is an extremely versatile surfacing and building material able to be used in a number of different ways. No matter if it is being utilized for residential or commercial purposes, slate  can be used for interior or exterior purposes. In fact, because it absorbs minimal moisture, slate can be used for a number of different exterior purposes including driveways, walkways, patios, and roofs to name a few! As far as interior executions go, slate can be used for flooring, walls, and most popularly, countertops. These applications only begin to scratch the surface though as slate’s versatility makes it able to be utilized almost anywhere!

Why Could Slate Be The Right Choice For You?

Compared to other surfacing and building materials, slate offers a number of benefits including care-free maintenance as it is a non-porous material that absorbs little undesired contaminants or moisture and requires little to no cleaning, durability as it is known to be one of the most durable materials in the world, and monetary value as it helps to add to the value of a home or business over time!

****

Don’t think slate is the right fit for you? No worries. Head over to our blog to explore many of the other options available to you, and be sure to be on the lookout next week’s blog as we’ll be covering another material that **may** want to consider for your next renovation project!

G.M.S. Werks has talented consultants on staff to help you bring about real-life transformations in your kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living areas, or anywhere else you’d like to have natural stone featured. For more information, contact us today.