Slate - One of the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership Building Materials Available
Slate is one of the all time favorite materials for home construction. It has beauty, strength, universal application and durability, combined with the lowest price of any stone product. As a building material which is totally natural and environmental sound, it is unequalled in today’s building market. Slate is fireproof, water resistant, and an inert material, which means it is resistant to mold and mildew and is hard to stain. Slate wears well and can take the kind of abuse a family and pets can deal out, indeed many commercial buildings make use of slate because of its ability to survive high traffic.
Slate is formed deep within the earth as layers of mud are laid down as sediment. Over time, the pressure of overlying layers of sediment cause the mud to form into parallel layers which give slate its particular appearance and ability to be split into plates. Slate can be split into plates of varying thickness and can be cut or dressed to meet a very wide range of applications both inside and outside the home. Unlike many other materials it can be used in high traffic areas which would wear out other building products in a relatively short period of time.
One of slate’s best traits is the ease with which workmen can shape and apply the slate. Slate can be honed or polished for use in bathrooms and kitchens. Slate can be sand blasted which gives the slate a pitted appearance which can be used to enhance an installation looking for a “natural look.” For the ultimate in a natural appearance, slate can be left rough to give a rustic and worn look to the installation but this is generally too rough for indoor use. Slate can be edged in a variety of ways; chamfered, or bevel cut at a 45 degree angle gives a smooth edge with no chipping or white markings and which looks great when fitted. Machine cuts give a straight edge which is excellent for close fitting installations which minimize cleaning and maintenance issues. Finally, slate can also be hand chiseled, or dressed, for the natural look and feel.
When the slate face is honed or polished, it becomes a perfect substance for use in kitchens and bathrooms. The polished finish is almost of, mirror-quality and is perfect for use in bathrooms, not only because of the classy look but because slate is impervious to water and highly resistant to staining. Even with rough use, slate will keep looking the same as the day it was installed for years to come. One reason why slate keeps its appearance is because slate is chemically inert, this means it does not react well with other chemicals and substances. For this reason it is perfect for use in the kitchen where there are lots of opportunities for stains to occur. Additionally, slate is heat resistant and as it is a rock, it will not burn.
The fireproof aspect of slate makes it ideal for roofing and outdoor installations in areas where there is a risk of fire. Slate chips can be used to create great looking driveways, garden paths and as a practical but beautiful bedding material. Slate chips will almost completely stop weed growth on a flower bed but at the same time, it will also retain moisture and protect plants from the effects of frost and snow.