Beauty of Slate Tiles

According to Wikipedia, slate is described as follows:

"Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering. Slate is frequently grey in colour especially when seen en masse covering roofs. However, slate occurs in a variety of colours even from a single locality. For example slate from North Wales can be found in many shades of grey from pale to dark and may also be purple, green or cyan."

Of course we would not be so linear with this description. Here I would like to give more useful insight about slate floor tiles and its applications.

Slate tiles are mainly riven which the surface is not even and rough. Most of the time slate is extracted easily from its deposits as they can be found already splitted in slab form at their sources. 

Compared to travertine tiles, slate is more competitively priced. Of course we are talking about the Chinese or Brasilian as labour and production costs are much lower in these countries in comparison with the Welsh Slate. Probably the most popular of all slates is the black slate. They can be used anywhere; kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories, living rooms, roofs, as pavers etc. They definitely give a rustic look to the property because of their rough nature.

Black Riven Slate Tiles:

 












Other available slates are green, multicolour, oyster which can be found in different types or finishes. Please see below some pictures of the most popular slate types:

Green Slate Floor Tiles

Oyster Slate Floor Tiles

And lastly:

Multicolour Slate Floor Tiles

Which ever you choose from, I am sure that you will not be dissapointed.

Please log in to these websites if you would like more information:

http://www.floorell.co.uk
http://www.stonedeals.co.uk
http://www.travertinetilesuk.com

Travertine Tiles versus Other Natural Stone Flooring

There are a few natural stone tiles available on the market. These are commonly travertine, marble, limestone, slate, quartz, granite etc. All of these tiles have been evolving for centuries and still mother nature forces these materials into shape in different ways. In this article, we will give some info about marble, travertine and limestone with some product examples.

We have explained what the travertine is in previous posts. This time we will evaluate the characteristics and of these stone tiles to give the reader an idea of what to choose.

Marble, limestone and travertine tiles are very similiar in characteristics. Travertine is formed when limestone is pressurised and marble is formed after travertine is pressurised. So we can say that limestone will be the softest of these materials and marble is the hardest.

Because marble is harder, it is more expensive to process. Limestone is more expensive than travertine just because it is softer and more fragile as well as they are not common as travertine. Also keep in mind that, limestone is more porous than any other type of natural stone flooring so maintaining these tiles properly is important to have a lifetime experience.

Marble is very durable and strong therefore they can even be used in commercial properties. And you can find distinctive colours as well like black and white, shiny and matt finishes. These distinctive colours are highly preferred by interior design professionals and diy lovers, just because they add characteristic and value to the place.

Black Polished Marble Tiles: Very elegant and stylish.

White Polished Marble Tiles: You can even create Checkerboard with these black and white tiles.

Gold Limestone: Yellowy and aged look.

Classic Polished and Transparent Travertine: Very durable and shiny travertine

Popular Travertine Tiles

Natural stone tiles are being used in every part of the home. They are durable and easy to maintain. They will not scratch that easily like wooden floors. And the most important thing is that they are natural unlike porcelain or ceramic tiles.

Travertine tiles are sedimentary rocks. They can be found in many parts of the world, however the highest concentration of the deposits are available in Turkey. There are a few choices in colour selection, however mostly the core background colours are either creme beige with different shades or dark, walnut colours. They are suitable for interiors mostly. They can be used outdoors if the tiles have at least 3cm thickness.

Below are most 2 common travertine tiles available in the market:

This is the Ivory Travertine Tiles Honed and Filled. Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms etc. Very minimal background colour and it is available in many sizes. Its honed and filled finish with straight cut gives a modern look to the property.

This one is Classic Light coloured travertine. Again its background is very similiar to the one of Ivory, however the edges are tumbled which is an important factor if you are after an aged look. Also the surface is pitted and rough which make them perfect for old country cottages and bathrooms.

Personally, I always recommend these two products for most of my interior design projects. Becasue they give minimalistic design, any other elements of the interior design will fit perfectly alongside these tiles.

They also do not cost the earth, log on to these websites for more information.

http://www.floorell.co.uk
http://www.travertinetilesuk.com

Travertine Tiles for Bathrooms and Kitchens

Travertine tiles are the most common of all natural stones. They are elegant, easy to lay and maintain. I believe that bathrooms and kitchens are the most common places for travertine tiles maybe because these two areas of the home are the most common places to be used during the day.

Travertine tiles have different finishes. Probably the most common ones are either tumbled or honed and filled. In my experience, people tend to go for tumbled travertine tiles in bathrooms as they offer rustic look whereas for kitchen, more of honed and filled tiles are preferred. As travertine is full of holes, honed and filled travertine tiles in kitchen make sense as preparing or eating food results in liquid spills, crumbs etc. which might effect pitted surfaces. As honed and filled travertine has smooth finish, applying the sealent properly will protect the surface of the tile to any unwanted materials.

Tumbled travertine tiles in the bathroom will create a fabulous environment as they offer a rustic look, as in the old country cottages. It will give you a sense such that you are part of the green environment even if you live on the 5th floor of a flat!. The prices are reasonable too. You do not have to spend a fortune to create this stunning effect. Also you should try tumbled travertine mosaics as well along with the tiles. You can always cut the mosaics for using as borders because they always come in mesh-mounted sheets. Lay the tile, put some mosaic borders alongside, grout and seal, at the end you will  have a brand new bathroom which will give a boost to the market price of the property. Guaranteed!

Stay tuned.