For this blog we are mainly focusing on flooring, to be more specific, natural slate flooring. Since bringing Mother Nature's roots into our homes is a fine way to feel outdoorsy whilst staying indoors, so you don’t suffer those winter blues. Natural slate flooring has been a staple in designer homes, since like forever, due to the unbeatable durability and the raw beauty that slate tiles have to offer. I know what you are thinking though, ‘designer’ being the operative word, how can normal every day folk like us possibly afford this?! Well back in the day you would be correct, I mean obviously there was a reason they were featured in grand castles and country mansions, however, believe it or not in 2017 opting for slate tiles can sometimes work out cheaper than choosing carpet!
Image: Natural Brushed Black Slate 600x400mm
So what other benefits are there to choosing natural slate tiles besides just being on trend and looking fabulous?
Well let’s start with…
Practical Benefits
Slate is one of the most durable products on the market, making slate tiles practical for pretty much any part of your home. We are mainly used to seeing them in kitchens or hallways, but recently they have been making their way into living rooms, bathrooms and even bedrooms owing to the different finishes now available. Natural riven slate floor tiles are also slip resistant too, which is perfect for hallways, bootrooms or any high-traffic areas in the home.
Technology today is truly outstanding, allowing for different types of finishes, such as a brushed or a honed, so if you feel a riven finish will be too harsh for your bare feet, you still have the option of having natural slate tiles.
For those areas where you will be walking around barefoot, selecting a brushed finish will be advantageous since they have been processed through the machine twice, smoothing off those riven areas and giving you the same look and feel as a natural riven slate.
You could go a step further and opt for a honed finish, which completely gets rid of those natural riven areas, leaving a completely flat surface, that highlights all the beautiful layers natural slate has; this particular look works amazing on the floor or on your walls.
Image: Natural Riven Black Slate Modular Set
On-Trend Colours
The trend for organic, authentic interiors is continuing and slate tiles are the perfect natural solution. Tones of Charcoal Grey, Black Slate and Multicolour Sheera Slate will complement modern and traditional interiors so your style choices are endless.
Designers will faithfully advise that if you want your space to feel cosy and homely then you should opt for natural materials, warm colours and a lot of texture, with stone tiles ticking pretty much all the boxes.
Heating Benefits
They are perfect for all underfloor heating systems since they can handle any temperature - you know, being stone and all – so simply lay your slate tiles, and voila! Enjoy the warmth radiating through your toes, and enjoy being the envy of all your friends.
Impressive Air Insulator
On top of this, if you were to install underfloor heating, natural stone is an excellent conductor which adds an eco-friendly element. We all know heat transfers upwards, meaning the heat contained within the stone tiles will drift up into the room, which will save you money on heating the house!
Image: Natural Sheera Slate Modular Set
Easy To Maintain
All natural stone tiles will need to be sealed, no matter where in your house or garden you are putting it. However slate tiles are very hardwearing and will require little on-going maintenance. Sealers will also enhance the colour of your stone and protect from staining and dirt, which makes cleaning your tiles really easy. There really is little maintenance when it comes to stone tiles since the sealer does most the of the job for you.
(If you want to find out more on the importance of the initial clean and maintaining your tiles, then you can check out our blog post on this here.)
Please note: We recommend using a neutral stone cleaner so you dont strip the sealer from the surface of your stone. We recommend LTP Floorshine Neutral Tile Cleaner, or LTP Waxwash Neutral Tile Cleaner – depending on the sealer you have selected.
The versatility of slate flooring is perfect for people who are looking to truly invest into something that will last for years to come, and that may even out live the house! Stone tiles are one of the most sustainable products on the market, and will actually enhance the value of your property due to their numerous benefits.
Whether you are going for a more traditional or contemporary look, stone tiles will work! So what are you waiting for? Request your free samples here.
