The Beauty of Slate
Slate is a widely used building material and has been in use for thousands of
years. Ancient architects and builders prized slate because of its strength and
durability, but it is the natural and varying beauty of slate which has ensured
its continued popularity through to modern times.
Slate is elegant, however behind this decorative façade is another simple fact –
slate is one of the cheapest of the natural stone building products available on
the market today.
Design and Application Versatility
Slate is used in a diverse range of settings and purposes. It is frequently used
for floors and stairways because of its extremely good wear characteristic, but
equally it used as a roofing material because it is durable and long-lived.
Versatility is a key advantage for any building material, and slate provides
extreme flexibility in terms of not only its use, but also its natural appearance
and the ability to be worked to suit a particular application.
Slate can be delivered in tile form, broken to create intricate mosaic patterns
and slate is a designer’s favorite because it lends strength to the design which
can be customized to the home setting and the customer’s specific
requirements.
The Play of Light on Slate
Slate varies in color from light blue, shades of grey and yellow through to
terracotta and earthy tones. The variation is almost infinite within this range,
which leads to a wide variety of tile and form designs to choose from.
One key advantage is that these are natural colors, not manmade, and as such
they deliver an excellent, natural look and appearance no matter where they
are used in the home or building.
The effect of light will cause different colors within the slate to become more or
less prominent, and the overall visual impact will change depending on where
the sun or light source is shining from. Slate’s color will also be affected by
water, so you can enjoy a changing kaleidoscope of color through the day and
seasons as the slate reacts to changing light conditions and rain.
Slate’s Elegant Form
The elegant form of slate is very apparent when it is used in a tile for either
flooring or roofing. There is a geometrical precision to the installation which
reflects precision and style.
Additionally, slate tends to provide its own strength in that it is strong,
durable, waterproof, fireproof, and chemically inert and provides no shelter for
insects or mold infestations.
Architectural and Design Choice
The numerous qualities of slate have ensured it is very popular with architects,
builders and homeowners. Slate also enjoys ‘high status’ as a quality building
material; however the total cost of ownership is one of the lowest for any
comparable building material.
Slate will take any beating which even the toughest family cares to mete out,
while it will also stand up to the harshest of weather and environmental
conditions. The structural strength, versatility and natural beauty of slate all
serve to enhance the design and appearance of a finished installation, which
encourages architects and builders to choose slate over other comparable
materials.