There's Something About Slate

Slate is a natural stone made by the compression of certain minerals and has been making its way into home for centuries. Slates has been used for roof tiles, fireplaces, walls, showers and floors. Let's look at were slate comes from and some of its qualities as flooring.
 
Like mentioned above, slate is a natural stone made from the crust of the earth. As is the case with most natural products, not all slate is created equal; the deeper the slate is in the ground, the better the quality. This is due to how our earth makes slate. The earth’s natural elements compact and compress the minerals that make slate, so the deeper the slate, the denser and more compact the slate will be. Higher quality slate is more expensive than slate mined closer to the surface because of the cost to harvest it. Slate in general is a high-quality stone with good durability.
 
Since slate is a natural product, its colors will vary, and no tile will be exactly the same. Slate does not come in as wide of variety as manmade products like porcelain and ceramic tile. Cleaning and maintenance for slate is pretty easy. It requires general sweeping and mopping (*note do not use harsh cleaners or vinegar to clean natural stone) and periodic sealing with a stone sealer.

Slate is a wonderful organic product that's made to last and is naturally beautiful. It’s great for both outdoor and indoor areas and offers a natural, earthy, and unique look to any space. Some of the most popular areas slate is used today is in outdoor patios, porches, pool settings, kitchens, and bathrooms. Slate is a good quality product for these areas because it is generally textured which makes it slip resistant and fairly water resistant. Slate offers a classic design that is very versatile and can be used on both floors and walls.