ABOUT SLATE FLOORING

Slate is a fine grained metamorphic rock made from an original shale type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash. Slate has two lines of breakability: grain and cleavage. This enables the splitting of slate into thin impervious sheets. When used for interior or exterior flooring, slate tiles are set on mortar and are grouted along the joints. Chemical sealants may be used to improve durability and stain resistance.

Slate flooring tiles are available in a wide range of grey, green, and black colors; their surface may be naturally split or honed to a smooth finish. Slate flooring tiles are available in sizes from 6" square up to 24" square. Rectangular and irregular slate tiles are also available. Mesh-backed mosaic slate flooring is available, as panels, and as decorative borders.

LEADING USA SLATE FLOORING MANUFACTURERS

The following leading slate flooring manufacturers have comprehensive websites, with information on all aspects of slate flooring, including online catalogs, colours and materials for slate flooring, and care and maintenance of slate flooring.

American Slate Company: Slate Flooring. American Slate Company, based in Baltimore, Maryland, has been supplying slate for more than 25 years from leading slate quarries around the world. It supplies Slate and Quartzite Tiles in 12", 16" and 24" squares. These are available in more than 60 colors. It also supplies Irregular Slate Paving, which may be used for interior floors and walls, and for patios, walkways, and driveways. Other specialist slate flooring products include: thinset random slate fixed to a mesh backing, 12" square mosaic slate flooring panels, and mosaic slate flooring borders.

Vermont Specialty Slate: Slate Flooring. Vermont Specialty Slate, based in Forest Dale, Vermont, has been supplying new and salvaged slate flooring and roofing since 1995. Its slate flooring is supplied in nine colors: North Country Black, Vermont Grey, Unfading Green, Semi-Weathering Grey Green, Mottled Purple Green, Purple, Unfading Red, Vermont Black, and Salvaged. The slate is available in Tile or Trimmed Styles, with beveled edges. Vermont Specialty Slate Flooring is available in square tiles ranging in size from 6"x6" up to 24"x24". Rectangular tiles are also available, in sizes from 9"x12" up to 12"x24".

Stonehenge Slate: Slate Flooring. Stonehenge Slate, of Middlesex, New Jersey, is a leading importer of slate, sandstone, limestone, granite tiles, quartzite, flagstone, and pavers. Its slate flooring tiles are available in two forms: Cleft Top, and Honed. The Cleft Top slate flooring tiles have a natural, irregular slate surface. The Honed slate flooring tiles have a smooth finish. The slate flooring tiles are 12" square, and 1/2" thick. A wide range of gold, green, grey, and pink colors is available. Mesh-backed mosaic slate flooring is available, with mosaic 1"x2" or 1"x1".

USEFUL LINKS RELEVANT TO SLATE FLOORING

Wikipedia Article on Slate

American Floorcovering Alliance

Certified Floor Covering Installers Associaton

Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association

Floor Installation Association of North America

National Association of Floor Covering Distributors

Signatory Floor Covering Contractors

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT DIRECTORIES

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include standard specifications, manufacturers' specs, and CAD details: 4Specs at www.4specs.com, Arcat at www.arcat.com, Arcom at www.arcomnet.com, Reed at www.reedfirstsource.com, Sweets at www.sweets.construction.com.

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Other recommended portals: Archbone, Building Design, Homeone Australia, Lighting Directory, Sapling, Stone Network.

Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd which also publishes a directory of the world's best websites. It is financed only by Google advertisements; no payment is received from included websites.