Slate Flooring - Comments
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I am looking for black slate pieces to lay on a front entery way.
All I see is square tiles.
HELP, please.
TIA
BettyO
Betty at April 17, 2008 03:23 PM
Posted by: Betty at April 17, 2008 03:23 PMI know there are irregular pieces around. Have you checked with all the flooring and stone people in your area and on the internet? Keep looking, you'll find just the right slate.
The Flooring Lady at April 22, 2008 01:23 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 22, 2008 01:23 PMHi, I have read so much information on laying slate tiles. I recently found at Home Depot slate tiles that are irregular, but are actually a type of pattern meshed together to form a shape. I already purchased thinset- but recently read I should maybe use a medium bed mortar. What is your opinion? Oh by the way, I am laying this slat found in the garden section on a front porch, which includes a step to the side walk and a step up to the house - any recommendations or thoughts would be welcomed!
Sharon at April 23, 2008 05:32 PM
Posted by: Sharon at April 23, 2008 05:32 PMI could really use some more information about the slate you're planning to install. I looked at Home Depot (online) in the garden section and didn't see any listed for online or in store shopping.
Some things to take into consideration are how thick the slate is, if it's real slate vs. shale (real slate is much more durable/long lasting), is your porch covered or open and the weather in your part of the country.
I do think your idea of a medium set would be a good choice, especially since the steps and at least some parts of the porch will get a good deal of foot traffic, and I'm guessing that you'll probably have some patio furniture as well.
Sealing your slate is also very important - so don't forget that last important step! That subject is also covered at this site.
The Flooring Lady at April 24, 2008 06:50 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 24, 2008 06:50 AMI have a question about slate floors? We are remodeling our bathroom and we are using multicolor slate for the floors(12x12) and around the bath/shower(4x4). The salesperson at Home Depot told us we shouldn't hang slate on the walls b/c it is too heavy? We kinda compared several different tiles with the slate and most of them seemed to be about the same wt. What do you think? Also I know you specialize in floors but, what color do you think is the best color for the walls with a slate floor?
Danielle at April 28, 2008 04:42 PM
Posted by: Danielle at April 28, 2008 04:42 PMHELP!!!! WHAT KIND OF MOP CAN I CLEAN MY SLATE FLOOR WITH? EVERTHING I HAVE USED SO FAR HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY THE SLATES ROUGHNESS. I HATE SCRUBBING ON MY HANDS ANDS KNEES....ANY SUGGESTIONS!
PATTY at April 28, 2008 06:07 PM
Posted by: PATTY at April 28, 2008 06:07 PMHi Danielle! I don't see why installing slate on the walls should be a problem as long as the walls are sturdy enough and so long as the manufacturer's instructions are followed. You could also call the manufacturer to see if they think it's ok as well. As far as what color would look best, I haven't a clue! :~) I don't know what colors you've decorated with. The colors are really up to you - YOU know what YOU like.
The Flooring Lady at April 28, 2008 07:46 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 28, 2008 07:46 PMHi Patty! Have you tried using a microfiber mop? That might help. The floor has been sealed well hasn't it? Is the slate rough around the edges or on top too? Are the slates a bit uneven? Slate is sharp and as you know, mop strings can get caught if your floor has any of these characteristics. Hope a microfiber mop works better for you!
The Flooring Lady at April 28, 2008 08:00 PM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at April 28, 2008 08:00 PMThere is a white residue on our slate floors where the ridges are on each piece. Do you know whatis causing this and what might remove it?
rose at June 13, 2008 07:51 AM
Posted by: rose at June 13, 2008 07:51 AM
Hi Rose, Are you referring to the edges of the tiles? I'm sorry, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'ridges'. Have you noticed this ever since it was installed or has it begun recently? How long since it was sealed/polished? What kind of a floor is this covering/what room/what level of the house. Sorry, lots of variables to try to narrow down what's going on.
If it's along the edges, it could be that the grout wasn't completely removed from the edges before it was sealed and/or polished.
If the ridges that you refer to are throughout the tile surface then it could be a couple things:
1. You have moisture coming up from beneath the tile, probably because there's not a good moisture barrier underneath.
2. The floor was inappropriately sealed/polished, possibly with products that were not created specifically for slate/stone flooring.
3. It could just be time to strip and reseal.
If you cold give me some more info it'd be much appreciated, then I could help you better.
The Flooring Lady at June 13, 2008 09:50 AM
Posted by: The Flooring Lady at June 13, 2008 09:50 AM(Read the article that everyone's commenting on.)
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