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slate

Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. It is the finest grained foliated metamorphic rock. Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering, but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression.The foliation in slate is called "slaty cleavage". It is caused by strong compression causing fine grained clay flakes to regrow in planes perpendicular to the compression. When expertly "cut" by striking parallel to the foliation, with a specialized tool in the quarry, many slates will display a property called fissility, forming smooth flat sheets of stone which have long been used for roofing, floor tiles, and other purposes. Slate is frequently grey in color, especially when seen, en masse, covering roofs. However, slate occurs in a variety of colors even from a single locality; for example, slate from North Wales can be found in many shades of grey, from pale to dark, and may also be purple, green or cyan. Slate is not to be confused with shale, from which it may be formed, or schist.
The word "slate" is also used for certain types of object made from slate rock. It may mean a single roofing tile made of slate, or a writing slate. They were traditionally a small, smooth piece of the rock, often framed in wood, used with chalk as a notepad or notice board, and especially for recording charges in pubs and inns. The phrases "clean slate" and "blank slate" come from this usage.

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  1. R

    Black Slate Shower Tray HELP!?!

    Hi all New to the forum, anyone have an idea how to clean and get these white stains off a newly installed black slate shower tray (8 months ago), my wife have stupidly used a product called ViaKal and it might have damaged the surface - but im unsure if this is stain or damaged. I would be...
  2. M

    natural slate stone patio laid , grout haze marks on stone

    Laid a natural stone slate patio. Used projoint max expoxy paving grout used it for nearly 2 years. Yet after 6 hours sudden change in weather so went and covered and sheeted over as advised with water proof sheet. Came next morning removed and now got milky epoxy residue haze on stones. Any...
  3. P

    Chinese Slate sealing before grouting?

    Hi Guys just a quick query if any one could give some advice please. i have a small project of about roughly 3 or 4 sq metres of chinese slate to put down in a little cloakroom. After i lay it on rapid set adhesive whats the best step for sealing before grouting? Do I seal the whole tile ? Or do...
  4. I

    My 1st Job split face slate

    hi guys. i am going to have a go at fitting split face slate tiles on my kitchen walls but need some advice on how best to deal with electrical sockets and the best way to get it neat as the slate is very uneven.
  5. G

    Using Lithofin Over Previously Sealed Slate and Marble

    Hi Everyone, We have black slate and white marble floor tiles in our hallway, chequerboard pattern. I wanted to clean them up and re-seal. Cleaned with soapy water then rolled on the Lithofin Stain Stop, and left to dry. It's left a greasy film on all the tiles. When I did the same in our...
  6. D

    Adhesive for Black slate patio tiles

    Looking for advice on which Adhesive for Black slate tiles 15-20mm thick 400 x 600 mm slate tiles to lay on a concrete base back has been down a year Been told mapei p4 ? any advice welcome or other makes etc
  7. AlanMac

    Recommendation for slate sealer that won't discolour

    Can anyone recommend a good sealer for a slate floor that's easy to strip/re-apply - other than Lithofin Slateseal? I'm asking as around 10 yrs ago I used Slateseal on my kitchen floor (which I laid myself) and over the years it discoloured badly. I could wash the floor with a strong detergent...
  8. L

    tiling onto slate

    hello from a new member : ) hope to listen and learn much from you all. I have a slate tile laid in concrete in a wetroom which is solid as f*** and really dont want to have to break it up. I want to tile over it. Possibly you will all tell me i should listen and learn, but maybe someone has an...
  9. M

    Slate floor tiles. Grouting problem

    I have just grouted the Brazilian slate tiles and it was a disaster. The grout dried instantly on the tile surface and I had to scrub it off (way before the grout joint was dry I washed the slates 3 times and let dry for a day before applying matstone tile sealer,2 costs applied with clean...
  10. T

    Wickes Riga Slate Effect Beige Porcelain Floor Tiles 300 x 600 ~ Desperately Needed!

    Hi, Does anyone out there have any of these discontinued tiles left over from a project? I have finally ripped out my 29 year old (I kid you not!) kitchen and due to the different layout of my new (yippee...) kitchen units, I need some of these tiles to fill in the gaps which will be on show...
  11. D

    Natural Stone High gloss coating for slate.

    Hi UK tilers! I'm an ex-pat Brit builder looking for some advice on the best high gloss coating for a (real) slate floor? I live in Spain now and the gear I can buy here isn't doing it for me. It's had 2 coats which have been dulled by grout clean up and traffic. It doesn't seem very impermeable...
  12. D

    Best high gloss coat for slate floor?

    Hi UK tilers! I'm an ex-pat Brit builder looking for some advice on the best high gloss coating for a (real) slate floor? I live in Spain now and the gear I can buy here isn't doing it for me. It's had 2 coats which have been dulled by grout clean up and traffic. It doesn't seem very impermeable...
  13. J

    I'm Looking For This Tile Marazzi Imperial Slate (black)

    Hoping to find 1 box of Marazzi Imperial Slate black in 12"-I really only need about 8 but cant find them anywhere but Im sure being a current brand there's bound to be someone out there with some (hopefully)
  14. F

    I'm Looking For This Tile Ceramica Rondine Slate Green Floor Tiles 34 x 34 (J70529/H)

    Desperately looking for 1 or 2 boxes of these. Bought from Topps Tiles in 2014. Any suggestions? Thanks
  15. F

    I'm Looking For This Tile Ceramica Ronnie Green Slate 34x34 floor Tile

    Bought from Topps Tiles in 2014. Desperately looking for 2 boxes. Any ideas? Thanks, Fiona
  16. D

    Preparation Tiling over Indian Slate

    Morning guys, One for the future really the kitchen and adjoined conservatory currently has wet UFH and 600x600 Indian slate tiles over a newish (18 years) screed that would be upto code at the time (DPM, insulated etc). Generally the floor in is in good nick a few bits of mortar lose over a...
  17. J

    Cutting Wickes Everest Slate Porcelain Tiles

    Hi All, I have been a long time reader of this forum and it has already helped me a lot, so thanks to you all for that. I have recently started replacing my bathroom, it's been going fine so far, but I've just come across a problem with the tiling that I hope you could help me with. We ended...
  18. S

    Cutting 30mm thick slate

    Hi looking for advise I've got 2 sections of 1200mm X 900mm 30mm slate for a double sided fireplace I'm making I have a 9" angle grinder what's the best blade for cutting these I have a Makita angle grinder I just got 240v 230mm which comes with a segmented blade
  19. D

    I'm Looking For This Tile Imola Ceramica floor tile. 'africa' slate grey colour.

    Hi looking to source a number of these Imola floor tiles which are discontinued. Preferably without having to search in Italy. Any help would be appreciated. We have just 3 left helpfully in the original box.
  20. T

    Poor natural slate flooring!

    Hello all I’ve had a natural slate floor laid by a tiler employed through our builder. He seemed unsure of the natural slate but carried on regardless. I understand that natural stone isn’t going to be perfect but I was shocked at the final result. He says that’s just what happens with natural...
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