If you are considering tiling your floor and the budget for the project materials is tight, consider using slate tile for your project. Slate tile is a durable and versatile material which is typically less expensive than other types of tile. Though slate in its natural form has a ridged texture, the texture can be manipulated and smoothed down to create an entirely different and polished look. Slate tile also exists in many different shades and colors which opens the door to many different design possibilities using color patterns. Slate is a rock which is created in many different colors by nature. Slate tile is created in deep blacks and charcoals, earthy sienna browns and oranges, and various shades grey that are tinted with purples, blues and greens.
When slate is first cut into tile from the rock it has delicate natural ridges and layers that can be preserved when the rock is cut down to tile. Slate tile which has preserved the natural ridges is called clefted slate tile and is the type of slate tile with the most rugged and textured surface. Brushed slate lightly smoothes the surface of the ridges but does not file them down completely. The dimensional quality of clefted and brushed slate tile looks rustic and appropriate in country homes.
Slate tile can also be honed down to create a completely flat and matte surface. Honed slate looks very different from the naturally ridged and clefted slate. Honed slate has a smooth and even texture which looks sleek and modern when the floor is laid with tiles that are of the same size and color. Honed slate can also be polished to transform a matte tile into a tile with a high gloss shine. Honed and polished slate tile can look very similar to polished marble tile and is a much less expensive alternative to marble. Highly honed and polished slate has a very formal and beautiful aesthetic which looks similar to marble can be created at a fraction of the price. Every type of slate has a different natural pattern and when the slate tile is honed and polished the natural swirls and patterns are brought out of the tile.
Slate is a popular flooring material for bathroom and shower floors. Slate is very durable and when it is sealed it holds up well to water. Other materials used in bathroom are marble tiles and porcelain tiles, but marble is a more expensive and slippery material and though porcelain is a less expensive material it does not have the same natural stone quality as slate. Because slate is made of natural stone it is a beautiful material to be surrounded by when bathing.