Natural Stone

Slate is a type of natural stone which is becoming very popular in bathroom flooring jobs. A variety of characteristics which are inherent to the material make it perfectly suited for use in such applications. These traits include�

1. Resistance To Stains: When properly sealed during installation, slate can become nearly impervious to stains which would seep into the pores and ruin other stones
2. Durability: In high traffic bathrooms and public restrooms, you need a flooring material that can endure over time. Slate is one of the hardest building materials, and the natural colors and textures in its surface will often look better from wear and tear over time.
3. Hides Dirt: While you want to keep a clean bathroom, you also want it to look clean, even when it isn�t. Slate is the perfect material for this. Even the most monotone of colored slates is a wild variety of different tones and hues clashing in the surface of the material. In multicolored slates this effect is intense with powerful contrasting tones exploding through the pores of the slate. The natural effect of all of these contrasting tones is that dirt and grime tend to disappear within the surface of the material, waiting to be properly and easily removed.
4. Easy To Clean: Yes, slate is a relatively easy material to clean. Stains will tend to pool at the surface of a properly sealed installation, allowing you to wipe them up with a mop or sponge. As far as water spills, these will not harm the stone, and can even be left to just evaporate away.
5. Easy To Maintain: Slate can be sealed once during installation and then never touched again. This is done by people who like the look of weathered stone, and the character it adds to a room. However, if you want to keep the look and feel of the original installation, including the deepest contrast of colors possible, sealing the floor once a year should be enough to do this.
6. No Water Damage: Splash away in the tub or shower, and feel free to drip all over the slate floor. Water wont damage this material
7. Clefts Are Slip Resistant: The surface of your slate can have different types of textures. Naturally, slate has a clefted texture, which is bumpy, or craggy. This type of surface is resistant to slipping, even when wet, making the bathroom just a little bit safer. A honed surface makes the material flat, but still leaves it with a texture which can give you a grip when the floor gets wet. We do not recommend polished slate in a bathroom, as you will be slipping and sliding all over the room.

There are some disadvantages to slate in the bathroom however. One problem is that it is a little bit cold on bare feet in the morning. Some people find this invigorating, but others consider it a problem. Of course, this can be handled by strategically placing bath mats and rugs across the stone floor, coordinated with the colors in the slates surface.

Clefted slate can also be a problem on bare feet. Depending on the material the clefts might be too craggy, making barefoot walking uncomfortable. Be sure to question your dealer about this before making a purchase, and get samples of anything that you are considering.

You can purchase natural slate tile, slab, and flooring material at http://pebblez.com/stone/slate.htm

If you have any questions about this material, email a trained expert at info@pebblez.com