Slate Flooring: 3 Things to Consider Before Buying
Natural flooring is hot in the world of home remodeling. Anyone looking into refreshing the look of a family home knows that replacing a vinyl floor with slate will transform a room. Turning it from a boring, common area to a elegant, refined living space.
What is Slate?
Slate is heavy, durable rock flooring. The bottom of the slate is machine cut to have a smooth flat surface that will sit level on the sub floor. The top has the natural look of slate. The natural texture of the slate helps it to be slip resistant.
3 Things to Consider Before Buying
1# Weight. When looking into installing a slate floor there are things to consider. Slate is very heavy, because of this the sub floor needs to be strong enough to hold the weight of the floor.
2# Sub Floor Material. Another thing to consider is the material used in the sub floor. If the material is not strong or thick enough, the slate floor may crack after time.
3# Cost. Cost may be another concern, however the long term benefits should out weigh the cost. Slate flooring can range anywhere from $2.50 a sq. ft. and up for the material itself. When you consider how strong and all-lasting a slate floor is, even after adding in installation, it is worth every penny.
Benefits of Slate
The large variety of color is a plus for installing a new slate floor. You can find slate tiles with colors of gray, brown, red, and green. You will find that slate tiles contain a variety of tones which make it very versatile for any room or decor.
Slate works well in front entry halls, bathrooms and kitchens. Bathrooms are one of the most popular places to install slate. All these rooms are the most used in a home, so having a durable surface to walk on that will not wear is a huge benefit. Plus, in the case of bathrooms and kitchens, you don’t need to worry about water. Since slate is rock, water leaves it unaffected.
Value is another benefit. Not only in price over the long run but also in the value that it adds to your home. Installing a new slate floor will increase the appeal of your home, which in turn will make it more marketable and more valuable.
Installation
A slate floor can be a do-it-yourself project. Deciding to install slate yourself could save you hundreds of dollars. Depending on the size of the room, it could even be a weekend project.
If you do decide to take on the challenge, be sure to educate yourself on the proper installation techniques. This can be easily done by visiting a local hardware store and seeing if they will be giving a class on slate floor installation. There are also books and even do-it-yourself websites like www.doityourself.com/stry/layaslatefloor that can walk you through the steps.
Having it installed for you has its benefits, too. First being that you will have the peace of mind knowing that it is being installed correctly and by product specifications. Plus, you may have the extra bonus of a warranty if anything should happen to the floor.
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June 7th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
i understand that there is varying qualities of slate that depend on how porous the materials is. have you done any research on a buying guide that justifies the differences in prices