Black slate tiles are cut from natural rock and that’s why they have earthly color tones and striking stone texture. A slate floor draws beauty from these tiles. A living space is provided a classic and dramatic decor by the slate’s varying pattern, color and surface profile. You can find slates in blue, green, purple and other colors. Various light and dark shades are also available such as gray, black, red, rust and beige and brown. Over a darker background, multi-colored tiles with warm reds and gold are nice or you could just opt or the single-color slate.
US $17.50
Durability is a distinct quality of a slate. Not to mention that it’s very easy to maintain and very good in disguising dirt. Regular sweeping or vacuuming will do the trick. You could also use detergent with water for mopping. A nylon brush is ideal for scrubbing tough spots because it does not scar the surface unlike metal. Slate floor tiles are even good for areas that are often exposed to moisture such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens and verandas because they are waterproof. Sealing is not required for these tiles due to their being waterproof but adding a finish to their naturally wet sheen is advisable to add extra luster. To maintain the new and shiny appearance, regularly reapply the finish once a year.
Some people may find black slate expensive but it's actually more affordable than granite or marble. Smoothness is also a distinct feature; you won’t feel any sand grains or coarse crystals. Usually, these tiles come with a natural cleft surface. These are called “riven” or “split” tiles. A broken stone’s rugged topography can be felt in a riven tile which provides an anti-slip quality. But there are also slippery tiles (especially in high-moisture areas) that feature a smoothly-cut and flat uniform surface. Sanding and honing slates are also quite common.
Specific procedures are required in roofing a building with black slate tiles. They should be used if the roof has a large dimension while smaller tiles are recommended for smaller dimension houses. Stone cutters help in bringing these plates into their desired sizes. Pencil marks should be placed on the roof where the black tiles are to be placed. The places that are marked should be applied with thin pastes of cement. On top of these cement pastes should the black tiles be firmly placed. Then, leave it for one day so that the roof surface may harden. Lastly, using the machines on dried roof surface, the roof floor should be greased and scrubbed before installing the black slate tiles.