Slate flooring has become a very popular flooring option. The slate is favored for ground floor rooms because of the beautiful appearance that it lends to kitchens, dens and other living areas. Slate is a more expensive option, but the investment is well worth it.

What Is It

Slate flooring is an all natural material. The slate is mined from rock quarries than cut into shapes. Typically they are gray stones that are cut into rectangular shapes. They are installed using mortar and a trowel. The mason will chip away the rough edges of the stone to get a better fit.

Environmental Plusses

This type of flooring is all natural and does not contain any chemicals and is processed without any use of chemicals. The floor does not have to be sealed with any chemicals and is usually wiped clean. There are some down sides to the environment by using this material; while it may be healthier for the home it is not very healthy for the environment. This is not a renewable resource once it I taken out of the earth it cannot be grown back. Mining operations that pull this type of stone often leave big gaping holes in mountainsides because they are not concerned with the effects it will have on the ecology of the area. These mining activities can affect the state of the land surrounding it and cause landslides and other shifts in the earth.

Why Is It Popular

It is popular because it is beautiful and everything natural is very in vogue right now in home décor. It stays cool in the summer months so it is a favored flooring material for the southern tier states. It is aesthetically pleasing and is easy to maintain a combination of all these factors make this a rather sort after flooring material.

Cost

It is expensive because it is not easy to come by and because it is not renewable. It used to be very cheap when it was not in high demand and when there was more of it available but since it has become popular the prices have soared. You can sometimes find reclaimed slate from old estate demolitions that can be reworked to a beautiful finish.

Purchasing

Typically slate flooring is not readily available at the local home improvement store it has to be special ordered through a stone flooring supplier and the delivery depending on stock can take up to three months.

Slate Flooring is an expensive, but very attractive type of flooring for your home. It is easy to maintain, stays cool in the summer, and is quite in style. If you think you want this type of high-fashion flooring, there are plenty of places to do some research.