We are delighted to announce the arrival of the Burlington Blue Grey Best Slate, now available at UK Slate. This remarkable slate, sourced from the heart of England’s Lake District, is celebrated as one of the finest slates in the world. Renowned for its striking blue-grey hue and superior quality, it’s the perfect choice for premium projects where only the best will do.

Available Sizes and Specifications

The Burlington Blue Grey Best Slate is available from stock in two versatile options:

  • 18″-10″ Diminishing Height x Random Width
  • 18″ Fixed Height x Random Width

Sold by the tonne, with a variety of crate sizes in stock, this slate is ideal for projects requiring flexibility and precision.

Why Choose Burlington Blue Grey Best Slate?

The unique qualities of Burlington Blue Grey Slate have made it the choice of architects, designers, and builders for centuries. Its durability and timeless aesthetic elevate both modern and traditional projects. Each piece undergoes rigorous testing to meet BSEN12326-1:2004 standards, achieving A1, T1, and S1 certification, ensuring its strength, water resistance, and thermal performance.

  • Unmatched Aesthetic: The distinct blue-grey tones provide a refined, elegant finish for slate roofs, walls, and architectural features.
  • Unrivalled Quality: Each slate is tested to ensure consistency and durability, even in the harshest weather conditions.
  • A Sustainable Choice: Locally sourced from the Lake District, this slate minimises environmental impact while supporting British craftsmanship.

Applications and Versatility

Burlington Blue Grey Best Slate is not just a roofing material; it’s a statement of quality and heritage. Its versatility makes it suitable for:

  • Roofing: Add elegance and durability to any residential or commercial project.
  • Walling: Create timeless façades that stand the test of time.
  • Architectural Features: From bespoke designs to intricate detailing, this slate enhances any build.
  • Aggregates: Extend the unique beauty of this slate to paths, landscaping, and decorative uses.

A Proud Partnership with Burlington Slate

As a registered stockist of Burlington products, UK Slate is proud to offer not just the Blue Grey Best Slate, but also a full range of Burlington slates, including the renowned Westmorland Green slate. Whether your project requires roofing, architectural elements, or aggregate materials, we are your trusted source for premium Burlington slate.

How UK Slate Can Help

When choosing materials for your project, nothing compares to the blend of heritage, beauty, and performance that Burlington Blue Grey Slate offers. Its origins in the historic Lake District lend it a character and prestige that other materials simply cannot replicate.

If you’re ready to elevate your next project with the finest slate in the world, contact us today. Let’s discuss how Burlington Blue Grey Best Slate can bring your vision to life.

We are happy to announce the arrival of our Ravendale® 9-11mm Blue Grey Slate, now in stock here in the UK. This premium slate combines strength, durability, and timeless aesthetics, making it an excellent choice for roofing projects of any size.

Why Choose Ravendale® Blue Grey Slate?

Created in collaboration with our trusted quarry partners in Brazil, the Ravendale® Blue Grey Slate delivers exceptional quality and consistency. Sourced from a select section of the Black Slate quarry in the Paraopeba Valley near Papagaios, Brazil, this slate is celebrated for its outstanding stone. By producing the Ravendale® exclusively in a 9-11mm thickness, we ensure that each piece meets the highest standards of durability and performance.

We have a very close relationship with our Quarry partners in Brazil, this ensures we maintain unparalleled control over the quality and integrity of the product. In fact, Ravendale® slate is sourced only from the finest areas of the quarry, ensuring a denser, stronger product that will stand the test of time.

Available Options

The Ravendale® Blue Grey Slate is available in a range of sizes to meet the diverse needs of our customers:

  • 400x250mm
  • 500x250mm
  • 500x300mm
  • 600x300mm
  • 600-400mm Diminishing Height x Random Width
  • 460mm Fixed Height x Random Width

Whether you’re working on a modern project or a traditional design, these size options ensure flexibility and compatibility for any roofing requirement.

Exceptional Quality at a Competitive Price

The blue-grey colour of the Ravendale® slate is a striking and cost-effective alternative to higher-specification slates such as Burlington or Welsh slate. While offering a similar aesthetic and performance, the Ravendale® delivers exceptional value, making it a popular choice among professionals and homeowners alike.

The Brazilian slate industry has emerged as one of the leading global suppliers of natural roofing slate, and the Ravendale® Blue Grey is no exception. Backed by well-regarded international quarrying and production facilities, this slate is manufactured with precision and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Independently Tested and Certified

Every Ravendale® slate undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets British and European standards. It is fully certified to BS EN12326-1:2004, attaining A1, T1, and S1 ratings for strength, thermal resistance, and water absorption. These certifications provide confidence that the slate will deliver long-term reliability, even in challenging UK weather conditions.

Your Trusted Supplier

At UK Slate, we take pride in offering products that reflect our values of transparency, reliability, and quality. Our direct partnerships with quarry owners provide full visibility into the supply chain, ensuring that you can trust the origin and integrity of every piece of Ravendale® slate.

Our experienced team, based in the heart of the Lake District, is here to help you make the right choice for your roofing needs. With a team that carries many decades of combined expertise, we’re always happy to provide advice, answer questions, and guide you through the selection process.

Explore Ravendale® Today

To discuss your project and request a quote, please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to provide a tailored solution to meet your needs. Discover the benefits of the Ravendale® Blue Grey Slate and elevate your next roofing project with this exceptional product.

Slate, a versatile material, is a popular choice for various applications, from roofing tiles and flooring to unique items like snooker tables and cheeseboards. As environmental awareness grows, the potential to recycle materials like slate in more creative ways becomes apparent. 

Here are some inspiring ideas for repurposing the old slate you might have lying around, whether it’s from a project, renovation, or simply leftover. 

Think Outside the Box (Literally) 

Before considering slate itself, think about reusing the packaging or crates it arrives in. Many customers have transformed Kentdale blue-grey slate crates into planters or even garden furniture.  

Reusing wooden crates for storage, shelving, or seats can give them new life. If these don’t fit your aesthetic, post them on Facebook Marketplace and offer them for free—someone else might find creative use for them. 

Getting Artistic with Slate 

Slate’s durability and natural appeal make it an excellent material for artistic projects such as for message boards or signs. For a rustic and durable look, turn slate pieces into house numbers, door signs, or even a kitchen message board. Slate is ideal for writing with chalk or markers, and a light varnish coat can protect outdoor pieces from wear. 

Here are a few ways to turn slate into functional art: 

Rustic Candle Holder 

Materials Needed: Four pieces of slate, strong glue, or cement, tealight candles. 

Instructions: 

  1. Take four equal-sized slate pieces and arrange them into a rectangular or square shape, forming the sides of your candle holder. 
  2. Glue or cement the edges together, leaving the top open for your tealights. 
  3. Allow the glue to set fully before placing your tealights inside. The slate will give a lovely, rustic vibe to any space. 

Garden Plant Markers 

Materials Needed: Small pieces of slate, chalk or a white marker pen, varnish (optional). 

Instructions: 

  1. Clean the slate pieces and let them dry. 
  2. Write the names of your plants or herbs with chalk or a marker. 
  3. If you want a longer-lasting marker, add a coat of clear varnish to protect the writing. 
  4. Place them in the soil near your plants. These markers are perfect for adding a rustic touch to your garden. 

Indoor Notice Board 

Materials Needed: Flat piece of slate, wall hooks or stand, chalk or chalk pen. 

Instructions: 

  1. Clean and dry the slate piece to ensure a smooth surface. 
  2. Attach wall hooks to hang the slate or find a stand if you prefer a freestanding notice board. 
  3. Write reminders, notes, or shopping lists with chalk, and simply wipe clean when needed. This sustainable notice board is reusable and gives a classic touch to your home. 

Slate Chessboard 

Materials Needed: Large, square piece of slate, white chalk, or chalk marker. 

Instructions: 

  1. Clean and smooth out the slate’s surface. 
  2. Draw an 8×8 grid with chalk or a chalk marker for the chessboard squares. 
  3. Use different coloured stones or other small items as chess pieces for a quick, natural chess set. This board can easily be wiped clean for reuse. 

Birdhouse Roof 

Materials Needed: Wooden birdhouse (either DIY or pre-made), slate tiles, adhesive suitable for outdoor use. 

Instructions: 

  1. Measure and cut the slate to match the birdhouse roof dimensions. 
  2. Apply the adhesive to the top of the birdhouse and press the slate pieces onto the roof. 
  3. Allow it to dry thoroughly before placing the birdhouse outside. This adds a unique, natural look and provides extra protection from the elements. 

Tran-Slate to the Outdoors 

Slate’s natural durability makes it perfect for garden use. Try using leftover slate as a base layer in plant pots to improve drainage or as an edging material for vegetable or flower patches. You can also create pathways, borders, or small patio spaces with recycled slate pieces, giving your garden a unique look. A few more ideas include: 

  • Water Drainage Solutions – Use larger slate pieces as drain covers or in rain gardens. 
  • Heat Retention – Slate stores heat during the day, which can help keep your plants warm at night. 

Slate in Sustainable Design 

As interest in sustainable and natural materials grows, you, as a homeowner, play a significant role in shaping eco-friendly design trends. Slate, with its dark, neutral tone, complements materials like wood, bringing an organic feel to interiors. You might even consider slate for creative indoor uses like a backdrop for plants or as a part of living wall installations to introduce nature into your home. 

Embracing the Circular Economy 

If you can’t use your leftover slate, pass it on to someone who can. Schools, community art groups, and local builders often appreciate donated materials. By rehoming unused slates, you contribute to sustainable practices and help reduce waste. It also helps you connect with individuals or organisations in need of slate, further promoting the circular economy in your local area and fostering a sense of community responsibility. 

UK Regulations and Guidelines 

If you’re considering larger-scale slate recycling projects, it’s important to be aware of UK regulations regarding the reuse of building materials. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) provides detailed guidelines on the reclamation and reuse of building materials, including slate. Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permissions before undertaking significant recycling projects. 

Inspiring UK Slate Recycling Projects 

Across the UK, innovative slate recycling projects are taking shape. In Wales, a community initiative has transformed reclaimed slate into public art installations, while in Scotland, architects have incorporated recycled slate into award-winning sustainable building designs. Keep an eye out for local partnerships or community projects that offer opportunities to get involved or contribute your unused slate to larger-scale sustainable efforts. 

Get in touch 

For more information on our roofing slate products, feel free to contact us. Or, if you know what you need, add products to your basket online. 

Natural limestone is sourced from limestone rocks that have been quarried and cut into the desired pieces. Then, tiles, slabs and various flooring designs are made from this material to be an aesthetically pleasing and durable choice for both exterior and interior flooring. But why else do people choose limestone flooring?

Benefits of Limestone for Flooring

Choosing your flooring material depends largely on where that flooring will be. Some flooring materials are not best suited to being outside, whilst they may be a great choice inside; fortunately, natural limestone covers almost all eventualities.

Limestone is a popular flooring material. Limestone, a sedimentary rock, will have been formed from accumulated calcium carbonate-rich and organic materials like shells and coral. These unique origins create a durable stone where each piece has a one-of-a-kind beauty.

This versatile flooring material is used in a broad range of locations, from domestic homes to commercial properties and even outdoor areas.

Man-Made Or Natural Limestone Flooring?

Man-Made manufactured limestone is a worse alternative that attempts to recreate the appearance of natural slate. These will be a combination of various materials, and whilst they appear the same aesthetically, many inherent beneficial qualities will be absent.

Most artificial limestone will be cheaper than natural but come with problems. Artificial limestone has less durability than the natural choice, which is a significant problem when using it as flooring. It also will require additional maintenance to maintain the manufactured appearance of natural limestone. We highly recommend choosing natural limestone flooring, as any flooring replacement work will be a significant investment, and the genuine version will provide a much higher return on that investment.

Different Types of Limestone Flooring

Limestone can be formed into any design to suit the location’s flooring needs, but the choices don’t stop there. There are many different types of limestone for flooring, such as:

Tumbled Limestone

The quarried tiles or slabs are rotated (or tumbled) in a large drum with other abrasive materials. This results in limestone with rounded edges and corners and a naturally aged look. This version is given a textured, weathered appearance through tumbling.

Honed Limestone

Hones Limestone undergoes a honing process that gives the stone a smooth, matte finish. Then, a combination of sanding and polishing creates this clean, modern look that is perfect for various locations.

Brushed Limestone

Brushed limestone has a similar weathered and textured appearance as tumbled limestone but is limited to the stone’s large, flat sides. The stone is wire-brushed and sand-blasted to create the desired rough texture and matte finish.

Filled Limestone

Natural limestone flooring is slightly porous, but filled limestone has powers and cracks filled with either epoxy or cement. This results in a smoother surface and an even stronger limestone, making the stone more resistant to staining.

Unfilled Limestones

Unfilled limestone is the title of purely natural limestone. This stone has not been treated or manipulated beyond the required forming into either tiles or slabs. This will be the most authentic choice of natural limestone.

Can You Use Limestone Outside?

Limestone flooring can be utilized outdoors, yes. In many climates, limestone can be used outdoors because it is durable and resistant to the elements. However, limestone is a porous material that can stain or etch when exposed to acidic substances like rain or cleaning products. Utilizing a sealer to protect the limestone’s surface is suggested to reduce these dangers. In addition, the flooring may require additional support to prevent cracking or breaking in places with a lot of foot traffic or a freeze-thaw cycle.

Tips For Maintaining Your Limestone Flooring

When choosing your flooring, it’s important to know how to keep it in its best condition. Here are some tips for maintaining limestone flooring:

  1. Clean regularly: Limestone flooring should be swept or vacuumed regularly to remove dirt and debris. Mopping or cleaning with a damp cloth can also help to remove any spills or stains.
  • Use a pH-neutral cleaner: Limestone is a porous material that acidic cleaners can damage. Therefore, it is recommended to use a pH-neutral cleaner designed explicitly for limestone flooring.
  • Avoid harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia, can damage the surface of the limestone and cause discolouration.
  • Avoid excessive water: Limestone is a porous material easily damaged by excessive water exposure. Be sure to dry the floor thoroughly after cleaning to prevent water damage.
  • Use mats or rugs: Placing mats or rugs at entryways can help prevent dirt, sand, and other abrasive materials from scratching the limestone surface.
  • Seal regularly: Limestone is a porous material prone to staining. To prevent staining, it is recommended to apply a sealer regularly to the surface of the limestone.
  • Professional cleaning: Consider scheduling professional cleaning and maintenance services every few years to keep your limestone flooring in top condition.

UK Slate: Natural Limestone Flooring Supplier

At UK Slate, we supply a broad range of limestone flooring designs and a range of other natural slate stone tiles for flooring from the most desirable quarries around the world. Artificial alternatives will never beat the inherent beauty of natural limestone, which is why we source all our products from exclusive, natural locations such as Brazil, Wales, Cumbria, Spain, India, and the USA.

Our worldwide partnerships have helped us provide our customers with the finest limestone flooring possible in various styles to suit their tastes. Contact us to discuss which limestone style you need.

Natural slate is a material that has been embraced as a way to improve any premises, whether it be with landscaping, roofing or interior improvements. Few materials will surpass the inherent beauty of natural slate tiles, and it’s not even limited to domestic uses only.

Using slate, whether in your home or commercial property, can give you a lot of benefits. After all, this stone can be used for the outside, such as for the exterior walls of your home or the roof, or indoors to create a beautiful design you can be proud of at all times.

Slate Tiles

Handcrafted Slate

Slate is a highly versatile stone capable of being used in an extensive range of applications, and it’s widely regarded as a natural stone that offers sophistication and style to any design. One of slate’s most remarkable features is its ability to be adapted and worked to your specific needs, meaning you can add a unique, authentic look to your home or business if you opt to use this natural stone.

Slate for Interiors

At UK slate, we embrace the beauty that natural slate provides while working to ensure that our customers are able to implement their slating in the exact way they wish. There are plenty of options when choosing a natural slate. This versatile material can be manipulated into many sizes and be supplied in a variety of colours.

Slate’s Natural Aesthetics

Slate Tiles - Shower

This natural stone can provide beautiful designs that add style and beauty to any room – however, this feature begs the question, ‘what makes slate so aesthetically pleasing?’ Its natural appeal, as well as the honing process it goes through, greatly contributes to this characteristic.

When the tiles are machined to a honed flat finish, the process involved cuts through the minute undulating layers within the slate and can create a billowing cloud effect. This is because the honing procedure enhances the variations of shade within the stone, sometimes leaving plain tiles, other times beautiful swirling patterns that are unique to each tile. This flexibility is perfect for creating a wide array of designs, whether you intend for them to lean towards the traditional or the contemporary style.

Case Study: Central London Slate Design

Slate Tiling - Bath

This capacity to create bespoke designs is what makes slate one of the best materials to work with and why one of our customers chose to use it in one of their latest projects in Central London, in which they undertook a complete bathroom and wetroom designed by an internationally renowned Japanese architect.

We used Elterdale Grey Green Honed Slate in a 400mm x 400mm format so that the tiles, both on the shower walls and the bathing area, had a smooth, matt surface with natural colour variations to them. For the base of the shower area, they used the same Elterdale Grey Green slate but in a Riven finish, which has a natural hand-split texture. This was to give a contrast to the different areas within the room but also to provide a safe, slip-resistant finish underfoot.

In order to meet the client’s very specific requirements and timescales we decided to take advantage of slate’s inherent properties, such as its durability and versatility, we ensured that the bathroom would be completely unique in appearance. We also hand-produced special rounded edge tiles for around the inset bath surround. Therefore ensuring a unique finished effect whilst providing clean and safe edges around the inset bath.

Slate can be tailored to fit your particular project. It also allows you to choose between an extensive range of styles, as well as shapes and forms, and be guaranteed a stunning and unique design. If you’d like to learn more about our bespoke slate ware and how it can benefit interior spaces such as a bathroom or a roof with our durable ridge tiles, or our Vermont slates, feel free to talk to us on 015395 59289. You can also speak to us to find out more about how our various slates could improve your existing premises.

Slate is an excellent material for your roof tiles. When maintained, it can not only protect your roof but look great at the same time.

So, Learning how to lay slate roof tiles is an important skill when repairing or replacing a slate roof; and, if done correctly, will save you time and money on your roof maintenance. Please read our following guide to learn everything you need to know about laying slate roof tiles. Laying a slate roof can seem like a daunting job, but with careful patience and suitable materials, it can be done efficiently and to a high standard. There are three main steps to follow:

  • Laying your underlay
  • Fixing the Battens
  • Settings out your slates

slate roof tiles being laid

Safety procedures

When conducting any roof maintenance, you should always be aware of correct safety procedures. Performing home maintenance without regard for proper safety is a dangerous idea that could lead to personal injury or at least cause more damage to your home.

When working with Roof Slates, you should take time to put protections in place. Scaffolding is the best access method, but keeping the ladder fixed firmly to the side of the house will do if you’re only repairing a small section of your roof. An additional hook ladder would be helpful, but this will be explained later. Having a volunteer spot the bottom of the ladder while you work is essential.

Find some adequate clothing and footwear. Rubber-soled shoes and thick gloves are a good start. In addition, wearing a hard hat and a coat with thick sleeves will give you the best protection in case of any accidents. Purchasing some plastic goggles will also give you excellent eye protection when working with slate.

Slate tiles are incredibly durable but are dangerous to walk across. The slope angle on most roofs means you could easily slip and fall, so you should take care when walking across them. Older slate roofs can be particularly concerning as they may be more fragile.

Having a hook ladder comes in handy here—this type of ladder hooks over the Ridge tiles at the peak of the roof. The hook ladder allows you to distribute your weight between the ladder and the roof. It is essential that you gradually distribute your weight evenly when walking on a roof.

man laying slate roof tiles

The Roof Underlay

The roof underlay is sometimes referred to as membrane or underlayment. Regardless of the name, they all do the same thing. Essentially your underlay will keep any moisture from penetrating the tiles and entering your building.

You should check the rafters for any old nails or debris that could damage the underlay before your roll it out. Once you are satisfied, you can begin laying your underlay. Start from one side and move across the roof, ensuring it’s flush against the verge. Nailing the start of your roll down will help keep the underlay in place as you move across the roof.

You can nail the underlay again along the middle, but this isn’t strictly necessary. Instead, nail the underlay again once you’ve reached the other side of the roof to secure it in place.

roof underlay for slate roof tiles

Fixing The Roof Battens

Now you have your underlay in place; you need to place your first battens. You will also need one under eaves slate tile and two full-sized stale tiles to proceed.

Place the battens on the roof but don’t fix them down yet. Then place one of the full-sized slate tiles on the batten and allow a 50mm overhang. Finally, fix the tile to the batten using temporary fixings.

The second batten will go beneath the slate tile near the first batten. Next, place the eaves slate tile into the second batten whilst making sure the eaves slate reaches the bottom edge of the roof.

A third batten is fitted below the top of the slates. Take the other full-sized slate tile and place it centred on the top of the third batten.

By fitting these initial three, you can now calculate your batten gauge. Then, measuring from the top of one batten to the top of the one next, you can figure out where the rest of the battens should go.

Setting Out And Laying Slate Tiles

To figure out how to set out your tiles correctly, we recommend drawing a chalk line from the ridge to the eaves at the width of every slate. Remember to allow a 5mm gap for the joint between each slate and the battens. This guide will ensure you don’t make incremental mistakes as you make your way across the roof.

It would be best if you lay your under eaves tiles first. Begin with a one-and-a-half slate to create a staggered pattern. Your first fill-length slate should be placed with its tail in line with the under eaves before nailing it in place.

Begin at the bottom and work upwards when placing your slates; bottom right to top left is recommended. This will help you avoid standing on slates as you place them and reduce any risk of slips or breaks.

fixing slate roof tiles

Premium Slate Roofing Tiles

Slate roofs are popular for many reasons, offering a classic aesthetic alongside an impressively durable lifespan. In addition, they can look vintage while being brand new, an excellent choice for buildings in cities or natural landscapes.

At UK Slate, we specialise in offering a fantastic range of natural slate roofing tiles. In addition, we can import North American, Spanish slates, Vermont slates and Welsh roofing slate and many more. So please get in touch with our expert team to discuss how we can help you with your roof slate needs today.

Slates provide natural beauty to flooring, making the material a popular choice for many rooms, like kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms. Slate is super durable and aesthetically pleasing to look at, but it can require a little work to keep it looking fantastic.

If you’re concerned about damaging your tiles while cleaning, here’s a general guide on how to clean your slate tiles so you can keep them in the best possible condition.

Slate floor

Sweep/Vacuum

You need to keep your slate floor clear of dust, dirt and debris before it can be adequately cleaned. It will make the job easier and make the overall cleaning much more effective. Dirt that contains tiny stones and particles of soil could also cause scratches or abrasions on your floor, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum with a soft attachment and go over the floor to give it a thorough clean. Get in all the corners and crevices to ensure all the debris is picked up. Make sure you don’t accidentally use attachments meant for carpets, as these can scratch the floor.

Mop the Floor

When mopping your natural slate flooring, make sure you’re using a proper slate cleaner or a mild dish soap. Using products with harsh chemicals could cause damage or alter the appearance of your slate tiles, so take care with your chosen cleaner. Mix it with plenty of warm water to dilute it.

Dip the mop into the cleaning solution and wring out the excess water. Start at the top of the room and work outwards, using smooth strokes to clean the entire floor. Dip and wring your mop periodically to wash it, and if the water is starting to get dirty, consider changing it for some fresh, clean water.

You can use a steam mop to help pick up extra dirt and disinfect the floors for a deeper clean.

Teak Oil

Wipe or leave your floor to dry, then you can finish it off with some teak oil. Teak oil can help enhance the final appearance of your floor. Apply a thin layer with a soft cloth but don’t soak the slate tiles, otherwise they will begin to absorb the oil. Slate oil can also be used.

A closeup image of slate tiles

Removing Stains

If your slate floor has stains, it may need more careful attention than just a general clean. Here are the steps to dealing with stains:

  • Wipe spills immediately – as soon as a spill occurs, wipe it up so it doesn’t sink into the porous surface. Use a cloth or towel.
  • Mild detergent – dip a cloth in a mild cleaning solution and gently rub the stain to remove it.
  • Hydrogen peroxide – this contains a mild bleach that can remove stains without damage. Use equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide and apply to stain and leave it for ten minutes. Scrub with a brush or sponge and rinse with water.
  • Rubbing alcohol – this can be effective at removing stains. Combine rubbing alcohol with plenty of water, soak a sponge and work the stain until it is removed.

Removing Scratches

Slate can become scratched, which can add a level of character to the surface, but too many or too deep scratches can ruin the floor’s beautiful aesthetic. There are a few techniques that can remove or hide scratches from a slate floor’s surface:

  • Mineral oil – clean and dry the area and work it with mineral oil on a cloth. The darkening effect will help hide minor scuffs.
  • Stain pen – this can be used to match the scratch to the colour of the slate. Clean and dry the area and wipe the pen on the scratch and wipe to blend the scratched area into the slate’s surface, matching the colours.
  • Sanding – fine-grit sandpaper can be used gently to achieve a polished look and remove scratches. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth afterwards.

Slate Bathroom
Your slate floor needs a regular clean to keep it in tip-top condition. It should be swept a few times a week and mopped once a week to keep it nice and clean. When your slate floor is clear of dust, dirt and debris, you minimise the risk of scratches occurring, so not only does a clean floor look great, but it will last longer.

At UK Slate, we can provide you with a vast range of slate roof tiles and floor tiles in a variety of colours and styles from quarries across the world, including right here in the UK. If you’d like to learn more about our range of slates, including our ridge tiles or our green slate, do not hesitate to contact us.

Considered colour choices, the clever use of light and the strategic use of shapes can make smaller rooms look much bigger with tiled surfaces.

When space is limited in a bathroom, kitchen or living area, the right choice of floor tiles can make a big difference. Natural slate floor tiles are a durable and practical option for flooring – its natural beauty and subtle variation convey an elegant impression of openness.

The contrasting colours, patterns and textures of slate roof tiles create visual breaks. As no two pieces of stone or limestone are the same, a slate tiled floor makes for a unique arrangement which is pleasing to the eye.

Some carefully chosen furniture, and neat fixtures and accessories to accentuate the lines of a small room, will open up a slate tiled space even further.

Slate Tiles – Large Or Sm all

Larger tiles can create the illusion of extra space, while smaller tiles such as mosaics or those with intricate geometric patterns can make an area look too busy or cluttered.

Large tiles have traditionally been used in public or commercial spaces because it is quicker and cheaper to cover a big area with broad pieces. But the clean, sleek and stylish lines that can be achieved by mixing and matching medium and large tiles are particularly fashionable just now.

The number of regimental grout lines, spaced close together when using small pieces, can create a grid-like appearance which feels closed in. Wider lines lead the eye further and create a more seamless flow.

Go Lighter To Look Larger Or Darker To Create Depth

Lighter colours will help a small room look larger as they reflect more light. Pale greys, faded greens or browns with swirls of creams can open up a space, and you can continue the effect by matching the wall tiles with the floor pattern. Colours like pale blues and greens hark to surfaces in the natural world such as water and grass, which make us feel cooler and relaxed.

Neutral colours provide a warm and clean feeling in the room which looks inviting. A matte finish, such as that naturally created in slate, don’t show up so much dirt and water stains. So long as they’re sealed with a high-quality sealant, they will remain easy to clean while giving a slight sheen to the surface.

Alternatively, darker coloured floor tiles visually create an illusion of depth. A very light floor can reflect light from all angles to create a confusing image in the mind and actually make a small space seem even smaller. Dark colours work best with a lighter grout colour to offer a subtle highlight to the tiles themselves.

Accenting lighter colours with darker ones works extremely well to create a cosy finish to spaces and neatly define the edges of flooring and wall tiles.

The Shape Of The Layout Matters

How you choose to layout your chosen floor tiles plays a big part in the feelings of space within a smaller room.

Diagonal lines lead the eye further to create a feeling of length. However, diagonal designs that are too closed in or complicated can make the floor feel too busy.

Alternatively, brick bond patterning (where joints are offset in each row) can create a more expansive feel to the floor tile layout. There are lots of standard brick bond patterns used in the building and construction industry, so you can pick a template which appeals and follow the patterning as described.

Consider an emphasis on the horizontal to make a narrow space appear wider. Vertical lines can create a more formal appearance which can also be useful in smaller rooms with low ceilings to give an overall impression of height.

Cleverly Connect To Adjoining Areas

If you seamlessly connect a smaller room to the bigger and wider areas it sits next to, you can help to create a feeling of more space.

If you’re connecting two tiled rooms, you can achieve a feeling of flow by continuing the tiling through with a continuous pattern of grout from one room to the next. A big border effect between two rooms will grab attention and make the smaller room look even smaller.

You don’t have to match colour choices exactly between rooms, but a cohesive palette will make your home feel like it was all well designed and thought out to guide you, your visitors and the eye on a seamless journey around it.

Accessorise With Care

Some people tend to think that a piece of furniture or a rug in a small room will make it feel even smaller, but that does not need to be the case. A carefully positioned chair or well thought out rug placement will create a more expansive feeling if there is notable floor space around the piece.

Small rooms also need clever storage solutions which don’t take up too much floor space. Alcove and corner shelving can round off the room’s edges to continue smooth lines upwards and outwards. In bathrooms, the use of mirrors adds extra reflected light to create a more expansive feel.

All in all, clever grout colouring and floor slate pattern design will help your room “grow” spatially and stylishly. Flooring is often the biggest “flat” space in a room, so a little careful thought can turn your small, quaint space into a large living area.

Slate is an aesthetically beautiful stone that has been used in construction for centuries. They make fantastic roof tiles, able to provide excellent insulation for a home and withstand harsh weather conditions, but they can also be used inside the house as floor and wall tiles. Slate comes in a variety of naturally occurring colours and styles, making it an incredibly versatile material.

But where do these slate tiles come from? How do they go from being mined out of the ground to the tiles on our roofs, wall and floors? Well, here’s what you need to know about the step-by-step process or mining this natural, raw material and turning it into the tiles we know and love.

 

Slate roofing tiles in a pallet ready for sale sale as a construction material at a building suppliers

 

Testing

Before the process can begin, quarry sites need to be surveyed and tested to ensure they are appropriate areas to extract the material from. The quarry rocks need to be tested to ensure they are strong enough and suitable for their end-use. The tests are done to discover if there are any weak rock layers that will be detrimental to the stone’s end quality.

The stone will only be extracted from the quarry for use when the tests have verified the quality and purity of the slate.

Quarrying

The raw slate is then sawn from the quarry in large flat slabs using a diamond beaded steel cable – or sometimes detonation is used, but this is done at a minimum to keep slabs large and prevent material loss. The extraction must be done carefully and with precision, as the process can affect the material’s integrity.

Once the slabs are free, they are transported to factories to transform them into tiles.

 

View from Dinorwic Quarry, near Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales, UK - with Llyn Peris, the Dinorwig Power Station Facilities and Mount Snowdon in the background

 

Slab Cutting

Using diamond-tipped blades, the slabs of slate are then cut into more manageable pieces. During this process, impurities are also removed from the raw material without the use of harsh chemicals. The cuts are then inspected for their end-use. Most slate will be used for roofing, while a portion will be allocated for architectural use. Slate destined for architectural use will need to be of the finest quality and have large dimensions.

Splitting

The slate cuts are then sent for splitting, where they will be split down to a specific thickness, a process which is done by hand. This technical step of the slate processing process has been done for many centuries.

Splitting is a specialist process that splits the slabs into the correct thickness while maintaining the material’s integrity. The slabs are split where a natural break occurs in the slab to give it a clean, straight split.

 

Slate dressing and splitting with a hammer and blunt chisel

 

Trimming

Split slates are then ready to be trimmed to a specific length for its chosen purpose. Traditionally trimming was done by hand, but nowadays machines are used to trim the slate to perfect measurements for installation.

After the process is finished, the slate will go for a final inspection where the slabs will be sorted and classified for use. Slate for roofing will be stacked onto pallets for storage. Architectural slate for panelling, tiles, counter-tops and chalkboards etc., will go through various processes before it is completed. The slate will be gauged and then honed to various finishes and may even be flamed to give it an even textured finish that removes traces of the saw blade and any irregularities.

Once the slate has been completed and stored away, it can be delivered across the country and the world for its intended purposes. Here in the UK, we have a variety of slate quarries across the country, including in Wales and the Lake District.

Different parts of the globe provide different slate varieties, as the colour is determined naturally by the geological conditions at its formation, which varies from place to place. Wales is known for its stunningly beautiful variety of blue slates.

 

Welsh Heather Blue slate

Here at UK Slate, we are specialist slate importers and exporters of natural slate from across the globe. We only source the very best globally and domestically thanks to our links to independent quarries, ensuring consistent and reliable supplies. We pride ourselves on our top-notch customer service and assure the very best support for you and your project.

 

 

Slate Roof

You can browse our extensive range of slates on our website. Whether you’re looking or slate roof tiles, wall tiles or floor tiles, we will have something for you. Contact us today to find out more.

 

UK Slate
At UK Slate we all have pride in what we do, having a drive to succeed in being the best that we can be. If you choose UK Slate to be your supplier of choice – you will be assured of the very best support for the whole of your project.
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