Granite tile
Granite tile in interior decoration
Serve fruit in stone bowls purchased from home furnishings stores. Pool together a personal collection of striped and spotted stones. Add water and a flower for a splash of color. ...
Slate has a wild side
Slate has a wild side. It's known mainly as the dependably dark gray material of roof tiles, flagstone walks, and old school blackboards. But new access to quarries in countries around the world--from Wales to Africa and China--now makes it possible to find slate in a subtle rainbow of colors as well. ...
Tile Sealers
Sealers, applied after installation, are optional. Usually offered in glossy, satin, or mat finishes, they not only emphasize the slate's natural range of color but also make the tiles easier to clean. According to one expert, sealers are more important for the grout, which is porous, than for the slate, which is so dense that it's almost impermeable. ...
Stone for all surfaces
Slate is the Robert Redford of the stone world: Its rugged good looks and versatility allow it to play a wide range of roles; its mood can be rustic and casual or sleek and contemporary. This metamorphic rock works equally well for floors, hearths and fireplaces, backsplashes, counters, and patios. ...
Granite Tiles: Sizes, textures, and prices
You can buy slate in rectangular and square sizes that range from machine-finished pieces about 1/4 inch thick, which are best for counters and walls, to hand-split ones about 1/2 to 1 inch thick, which are most suitable for floors and terraces. Slate is either gauged or ungauged. Gauged slate has gone through a grinding machine, usually to smooth out one side, leaving the other (cleft) side alone. ...
Stone tips
* The handy homeowner will find slate tile is surprisingly easy to work with. The only real challenge is cutting it. Since you cannot score and crack it like ceramic tiles, your best bet is to rent a wet saw. ...