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Home > Natural Stone - Slate Slate tile is one of the forgotten stones that are available to enhance the beauty of any home or commercial building. Years ago, slate was only available in black, gray, green or red. Now, slate is available in every color and it even comes is a mix of colors on one tile. Due to the influx of slates that are being imported from India, slate has become an increasingly popular material for new homes and remodeling projects. Slate has been used for thousands of years. The fabulous colors of slate tile are often used on floors to coordinate with the colors of granite and marble countertops and vanities. If sealed correctly, it can be used for countertops and shower walls. Slate tile is now available in hundreds of unique colors and patterns. It can be used for floor tile, kitchen flooring, bathroom wall tile, bathroom floor tile, and it is used for exterior use. Slate can be used for interior and exterior use. When quarried and fabricated, most slates can be cut to a smooth surface or a rough uneven texture, which is called cleft of pitched. These uneven textures can begin to spall (flake) if the slate is not cared for properly or if a wax coating is applied to it. Slate has a mica mineral in it that has a perfect 90-degree angle, which is why slate is pulled from the ground in sheets. The stripping of the coating does the most damage. There are Stone Color Enhancers by Stone Care International, Inc. which are designed for slate to prevent this from happening. When cared for properly, slate is simple to maintain. When it is sealed and cleaned properly, you will easily preserve the natural beauty of this unique surface. Stone Sealers are easy to apply, simply wipe on 2 applications within 10 minutes of each other and wipe off the excess. Depending on the absorbency of the stone, resealing can take place from once a year up to 5 years. For cleaning, always use a product specifically designed to clean natural stone, not over-the-counter cleaning products. Periodically, we recommend using a Stone Color Enhancer, which will enhance to dark colors of your slate. For more information about slate and caring for your stone, visit www.stonecare.com. For cleaning, we recommend using Clean EnCounters® by Stone Care International, Inc. For floors, use Marbalex®. For sealing, use Stone Spray-n-Seal®. STONE AND CERAMIC CARE PRODUCTS |