What to Know About Slate Flooring

Slate is a very popular stone choice from counters to backsplashes to flooring. If you are considering this type of stone for flooring in your home, here is what you need to know.

All natural stone flooring will be a bit more expensive than other flooring options, but slate is a good bit cheaper than marble and granite. Depending on the slate you buy and how it was mined or quarried, slate flooring can run you anywhere from $2-$10 per square foot. On top of the cost for purchase of the materials, you need to also factor in the cost for installation. This will typically run you two to three times the price of the tile since it requires so much attention to detail to achieve a cohesive look.

All in all, slate flooring delivers a high end look and requires little maintenance. Thanks to its naturally dark color, grays and blues, slate does not readily show dirt and discoloration. Still, if you neglect regular sweeping and mopping, dirt and gravel can eventually scratch and gouge your soft slate. For this reason, a quick sweep daily and a sudsy mopping every week should keep your slate in good condition.

In addition to regular sweeping and mopping, applying a quality sealer twice a year will go a long way in preserving your slate. Sealing your slate tile biannually will protect it from acidic spills etching your stone as well as prevent spills from staining your stone.

In conclusion, slate can be a wonderfully beautiful and durable flooring option. When it is well cared for, it can reliably last you for decades. When you need help maintaining your slate tiles, reach out to Colorado Stone & Tile Care. Not only can we clean and reseal your slate, but we can mend it as well.