A natural stone material slate flooring is available in many different shapes, colors,
and styles which you can get to blend with almost any style you are going
for. An ideal material for kitchens for many reason which durability and slip
resistance are the first ones that come to mind. Another huge benefit is that it
will resist moisture and stains better then a lot of other materials but this
require proper sealing initially and then yearly sealing after that.
Black
and white are the two most common color of slate stone but you can find
it in many other colors so it will match just about anything you are trying to
blend it with. If you are going for a one-of-a-kind look you can mix and match
varying colors, shapes, and sizes to create a truly unique kitchen floor. Also
because slate can also be used for kitchen counter tops you will be able to blend
the two together and get a more uniform look which will help blend your kitchen
together nicely.
If
you live up north or in a colder
climate then slate is a perfect choice because it is an ideal material to use
with radiant heating systems. Radiant heating will keep the flooring material warm
during the cold winter months and the natural properties of slate make it ideal
for this type of home heating. A little softer then most of the other types
of stone materials which can be good or bad depending on what you want and how
much you are in your kitchen. On the plus side is that it is a little bit easier
on the joints and body if you fall (plates and breakable will still be no good
if you drop it in on slate). The downside to it being softer is that it is
more likely to get damaged if something is dropped on then other types of stone.
Pros of Slate Kitchen Flooring:
-Slip and stain resistant (when properly sealed)
-Easy to
mix with other types of decor or style and will blend with most popular countertop
material
-Very durable
Negatives to Slate Kitchen Floors:
-Requires yearly maintenance
-More expensive then some other
flooring choices
As far as cost goes slate kitchen flooring is on
the higher side ranging from $14-35 dollars a square foot. Just like other types
of stone flooring slate is not a do-it-yourself project unless you are a very
experienced handyman and also have some experience working with stone.
On
top of the cost of the materials themselves figure on adding about $5-7
dollars a square foot for installation cost. If you can get past the cost of slate
flooring it does truly offer many benefits along with a beautiful look that
can last you decades if properly taken care of.
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