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slate flooring in kitchen?

9 years ago

Hi everyone. We love the pictures of various slate flooring we have seen online. Our mudroom slate is black , and is fairly smooth. However, all the varied colored slates we've seen in stores are very rough and uneven. Are there sources of slate tile that aren't as rough in other colors?
Thanks

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Comments (8)

pamela233
9 years ago
I love slate and have it at the entrances in our home.

However, I would be reluctant to have a stone floor in the kitchen near my working area. Stone and porcelain tiles are very hard to stand on for any period of time.

So, if you cook much or do dishes at the sink I would suggest hardwood, or tile or cork...I am sure other members will have some good suggestions.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
9 years ago
I would think food spills would be a nightmare to be cleaning off a rough surface!
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There is quite a variety of different slates, and they have varying hardnesses. The slate I have is sometimes listed as a quartzite and is quite hard. Because it's so hard, it could be honed smooth without chipping or flaking. The material costs vary, but my slate was around $4/sq ft for the raw material. I installed it myself, so I can't speak to installation costs. I like the coolness under foot where I have it, but when I put it in my kitchen (same stone - it's waiting in my basement) I intend to put in floor heating. Your friends house is gorgeous and I can see why it inspired you to consider the material.
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A PO of our house put in slate floors in the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, powder room, interior hallway and foyer. They are a very dark gray, almost black, with lighter gray grout. They always look dirty, as every piece of lint, dust, etc. shows up against the black. Think about how black audio/video equipment seems to attract and show dust, like the tv screen. The PO also sealed it, but most of the sealant is now washed/worn off, leaving a dull matte finish. I'd reseal them, but dog accidents or wet shoe puddle that are not cleaned up immediately will eat through the sealer and leave a dull blotch. I scrub the grout lines periodically with a small brass brush, but they still look dirty. Unfortunately, they run under my cabinets and cover a large expanse of the first floor, or they would have been gone long ago. I'm considering biting the bullet and tearing them up, along with the plywood under them, to see if the original wood floors are salvageable, which I doubt. Anyway you slice it, it's going to be an expensive fix. Maybe you should borrow or buy a few tiles in the color you're considering and put them down on the floor somewhere and observe for a while.
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I put slate in kitchen of a former house, and hated it. It's slippery as snot when wet, entirely unforgiving in disguising dirt, and a maintenance headache (resealing is absolutely necessary). Plus, if you don't have an installer experienced in slate instillation, irregularities in the material itself make it likely you'll feel the sharp edges along the tile. It was always uncomfortable to stand in bare feet. My current home has ceramic tile, it's much more forgiving in all ways. I may change it in next few years to a porcelain tile, but never again will I choose slate.
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jellytoast
9 years ago
I have had a tile floor in my kitchen my entire life and have never been bothered at all by standing on it. I put porcelain in my new kitchen, too, with no ill effects.
Kathy Harrington
9 years ago
I have a rough varied colored slate floor in my kitchen and great room for the past 10 years. I love the color and durability. It doesn't bother me to stand on it anymore than my hardwoods, but all my floors are on slab concrete so I don't notice that one is softer or easier on my feet and knees than the other. My only caution is that it must be resealed about every 2-3 years. Good luck with your choice
natmom
9 years ago
Harringk- I love your slate! We are looking to put this slate in our front entrance. I have been worried that the hardwood has an orange look next to the slate.
StoneTech
9 years ago
Yep...slate does look good, but in a kitchen? I don't think so. It stains easily, needs to be regularly sealed, scratches easily. Do I need to go on? There are MANY porcelean tiles that mimic the slate-look very well and are practically maintenance free.
HomeChef59
9 years ago
I have installed natural slate in three houses. My parents had slate flooring in their home while I was growing up. I love the imperfections in the surface.

Slate wears like iron. It's great. I have found it to be low maintenance. I sealed it when it was installed and have never sealed it again. I've also used honed slate in hearths and fireplace surrounds.

It's not any harder on your back than any porcelain tile or stone material.

I'm getting ready to do a kitchen renovation and plan to use black slate for the floor. I like 12"x12" tiles in a diagonal with 12"x6" borders. I will use a charcoal grey grout. I am replacing travertine for slate. It's more appropriate for the age and style of the home.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it if you find it appealing.
ralphevans
9 years ago
Slate is a popular flooring choice for heavy-traffic areas, slate has a dense, smooth texture that makes it durable, moisture-resistant, and impervious to most stains. Homeowners chose slate tiles for the kitchen's heated floor because they radiate warmth efficiently. However, the versatility and durability of polished concrete make it a popular alternative to stone or tile.

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