A slate tile countertop can provide you with the matte, rustic appearance of a slate counter at a fraction of the cost of a slab counter. Understanding the types of slate on the market can help you make your choice and decision easier.
Types of Slate
Slate is a metamorphic stone comprised mainly of sandstone and mud. Formed in layers, slate splits apart naturally at these points, known as clefts. There are several types of slate tiles available on the market today. While all of these stones are beautiful, not all of them are going to be suitable for your slate tile countertop.
Ungauged Cleft Slate
Ungauged slate tiles are formed by roughly cutting the stone into tiles of approximate size and thickness. They can vary as much as 1/4-inch in thickness from tile to tile and within one tile.
The surface of ungauged cleft slate is natural with hills, valleys and layers. These layers will flake slightly for three months after installation, as the slate gets used to its new home. This is known as spalling and it can make your installation very dusty for a time.
Ungauged slate is not suitable for your counter for a few reasons:
- Ungauged slate is not level and requires a thick under-bed of mortar to install
- The natural cleft face will not give you an even surface for cutting or placing plates and glasses
- Spalling can contaminate your foods with stone dust for three months
Gauged Cleft Slate
Gauged cleft slate tiles are even in thickness and size, with a natural, cleft face. While they are easier to install than ungauged slate tiles, they are still prone to spalling and will have an uneven surface texture.
Gauged Honed Slate
Gauged honed slate tiles are uniform in size, thickness and surface texture. The tiles have been ground to a flat, matte finish that is perfect for your countertop. The surface will be smooth, the tiles easy to install and the surface of these stones will not spall after installation.
Selecting Your Slate Tiles
Slate tiles can come in a wide range of colors. You can choose from flat black or green slates, similar in color to those used on black boards, or you can choose slates which will vary dramatically in color from piece to piece. All slates can be purchased in a gauged, honed finish although some may need to be cut to order.
When selecting your slate tiles, consider the rest of your kitchen design. Choose solid colored tiles if you are planning on installing a colorful backsplash, have a lot of other details in the kitchen or are looking for a sedate design.
Choose variegated slate tiles if you wish your countertop to be a focus in the kitchen design. Tuscan kitchen designs, rustic homes and homes with eclectic design and lots of color will work well with a multi-colored slate countertop.
Slate Tile Countertop Considerations
If you are considering using slate tiles for your kitchen countertop in the place of a slab or another counter material, consider both the pros and the cons of using this product when making your choice.
Slate Tile Pros
- Slate tiles are generally inexpensive, perfect for remodeling on a budget
- Slate tiles have a matte, rustic appeal that can add to the beauty of your kitchen design
- Variegated slate tiles can hide a great deal of abuse, wear and stains, making them perfect for a low maintenance counter
Slate Tile Cons
- Slate can scratch easily, particularly if you are using a solid colored slate counter
- Like all natural stone, slate tiles will require sealing and special stone cleaners to maintain their beauty
- Slate tiles should always be installed with a 1/8-inch grout joint using sanded, standard gray grout; this can be a lot of grout in a kitchen counter
A slate tile countertop can do a lot to enhance your kitchen design. Make sure you choose the right type of slate for your design and your kitchen's use and know that you will have a beautiful counter that can withstand years of use.
