Slate, the weather-resistant and long lasting stone is being increasingly used for many construction applications. The natural texture of slate gives it a good surface grip, reducing the slipperiness usually experienced with other glazed or polished tiles, thus making it a perfect choice for flooring, roofing, wall cladding etc
Slate Floorings
Slate, being a slip-resistant medium, is often used for different flooring applications. The colors and subtle textures of a slate floor complement most any interior design scheme. Natural slate has a look that cannot be matched using man-made alternatives. Manufacturers and suppliers have tapped the immense advantages offered by the slate stone and offer economically viable options to buyers, in terms of designs, colors and textures.
Slate Stone: The Perfect Choice For Flooring
The permanence of a slate floor makes it a cost effect option, in the long run. A slate floor is durable, slip resistant and easily maintained. Its combination of hardness and beauty also makes it a choice for commercial applications as well as the home. It can hold up to heavy and repeated traffic and still maintain its natural beauty. Slate Flooring tile are commonly used in floors.
Variety in Slate Floors
A large variety of colors in slate stones are used for flooring purposes. Different colors in slate include browns, greens and purples, sea greens and grays. Slate floors can be installed using one or a number of these colors. Slate flooring tile are available in various colors and shapes that enhanced beauty of the floor. Attractive flooring schemes can be created using these beautiful natural stone colors and tiles in varying shapes and sizes. Another dimension that can also be added is that of texture; slate is available in a naturally smooth finish or a rougher surface.
Slate Roofing
Slate, the weather proof stone is the perfect choice for all kinds of roofing applications. For the purpose of roofing, there is a wide choice in colors of slate, which is usually some shade or combination of gray, green, purple, black and red. The suppliers of slate can provide, besides the standard slate sizes, slate in other sizes, especially made to suit diverse specifications. These colors are found in a variety of hues amongst a number of quarries.
Sheet Thickness The thickness of the slate sheet varies according to the purpose for which it's being used. The manufacturers of roofing slates can make them as per the demands of roofers, contractors, suppliers and home owners.
Different Slate Rooftops
- Standard slate roof
A "Standard" slate roof is composed of slate approximately 3/16" thick. The pieces are of one uniform standard length and width and are cut with a square tail (or butt) which is then laid to uniform horizontal lines.
Applying two or more sizes on the same area, which will not only vary the visible pattern but also create additional shadows and shading, may vary standard roofs.
- Textural slate roof
A "Textural" slate roof designates pieces of material having a rougher texture than the "Standard" and perhaps uneven tails. They may even display variations of thickness or size. Different shades may be used to enhance the color effect of the overall design.
- Graduated slate roof
A "Graduated" slate roof is a combination of the "Textural" slate utilizing even more modifications in thickness, size and exposure. The thickest and longest pieces are generally placed at the eaves and gradually diminish in size and thickness going up to the ridge
Slate Color
The color of Slate is determined by the chemical and mineralogical composition of the stone being quarried. Since these factors differ in various localities, it is possible to obtain slate roofing material in a variety of colors and shades.
Slate Paving
Slate stone has become a popular medium for both commercial and residential exterior paving applications. In high demand due to its natural beauty, performance characteristics, low maintenance, and durability, slate stone is extremely hard, unaffected by freeze-thaw cycles, naturally slip resistant and unfading. Manufacturers produce these stones for paving purposes in custom sizes and offer several finishes and designs.
Sizes and shapes
Tiles used for pavement are available in many shapes such as square, rectangular, patterns, irregular and custom shapes. They can be made in many sizes, thicknesses and finishes. Custom sizes depend on slate stone selected, finish, thickness, joint width and other factor
Wall Cladding Slates
Slate, characterized as unfading, non-absorptive, stain-resistant and unaffected by freeze-thaw cycles or other extreme environmental conditions, serves as the perfect medium for wall cladding applications. Manufacturers slate stone, used for walls in custom sizes and several finishes, to suit varied customer preferences.
Slate shingles & Sculpings
Custom-fabricated slate shingles offer a textured appearance and represent an economical form of stone wall cladding. Sculpings are irregular slate "bricks" used as a masonry stone.
Variety
Wall cladding slate are manufactured in different thicknesses, sizes, colors such as gray, brown, green etc. The stones may have a textured, natural finish, a honed finish or several other finishes.
Slate Landscaping
Slate, the naturally durable and sturdy natural stone is emerging as a popular medium for landscaping. Owing to its rugged texture and soft to touch appeal, slate is much more than just building material. Realizing its potential in the field of stone wall landscaping, the manufacturers of slate stone are introducing varied types and colors of the stone.
Long lasting material
Being very durable and long lasting, an investment in slate stone is worthwhile. Slate offers results that are simply incomparable. As workable as wood and as indestructible as stone, slate can be sawed, cut, polished and etched. Few materials share its resistance to weather, pollutants and the freeze-thaw cycles.
Usage
Whether gray, black, blue, green or red, slate possesses the rare ability to enhance just about any type of building or landscape simply by its presence Slate offers an extremely wide array of uses. Though traditionally reserved for roofing, slate tiles are increasingly popular for paving patios and paths, covering walls or building stairs and low walls
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