Natural stone tiles have always been in vogue because they provide that ruggedness which is required for the bathrooms. They are stain resistant and durable at the same time plus, they are available in a wide variety of types and finishes. Which is the reason why slate tile bathroom designs are gaining popularity day by day. Slate is a really durable natural material available to you, when it comes to the quest of natural stone bathroom tiles. Due to its endurance and elegance, it is a highly recommended type of tile for bathrooms and other household usage.
Slate Tile Bathroom Ideas
Slate tile commodities have an inherent characteristic which makes them very popular. As I said earlier, slate flooring is an extremely durable option for bathrooms and for the entire house as a matter of fact. Along with longevity, your slate tiles are also slip resistant. The tiles have a good quality water absorption capacity which makes them gain a sort of old and rustic look, which is the most sought after look for contemporary home decoration these days. These tiles certainly increase aesthetic value of the bathroom and can make the house all the more unique. These tiles can be used for interiors as well as exteriors of the bathroom. This phenomenon makes them a really convenient option for you as a house owner.
Slate tiles can be installed at various places of the bathroom but they are more appropriate for roofing and flooring. However, you can use them for bathroom walls, showers, bathtubs, counter tops and actually any surface of the bathroom, that you desire for. In my opinion, you should match the flooring with slate bathroom walls and bathroom vanity or wash basin (whichever is convenient). You can choose the best pattern from a wide range of colors and designs that are available. They are relatively inexpensive, which is the reason why they prove to be a great choice for a tight budget project of bathroom remodeling too.
Slate Tile Bathroom Design
Similar to all the other expensive bathroom flooring options, slate tiles are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, patterns and colors. You can select any of the popular shapes for that dream slate bathroom of yours. Some of the most popular shapes include - field tile (all round tiling and with attached spacers), rounded edge tile, REX tile (with two rounded edges), quadrant tile (convex tile with glazed stripes), universal tile (two glazed finish with square off edge), bullnose tile (quadrant tile with bullet end) and mitered tile which is also a quadrant tile but it comes with mitered end.
Along with the shapes, you also need to consider the pattern of the tiles. There are four major patterns, which can also be called tile finishes, in which these tiles are available. These patterns are - clefted slate tile (dimensional raw and natural finish), polished slate tile (gleamed slate that resembles to marble), honed slate tile (slate which is made smooth and flat by grinding) and brushed slate tile, which is somewhat similar to the clefted slate tile but it has soft ridges. Even though you select the tile patterns, you will surely have a surprising variety in the color pattern of each tile, because no two slate tiles look exactly similar to each other.
Before you select the pattern and shape of the tiles for your bathroom, it is very important to create a perfect layout of your plan on a graph paper, so as to make it easy for you to take proper measurements. Also, use a suitable substrate and a conducive mortar for the tiles that you have selected. Opt for a good quality slate tile sealant, be it high sheen, low sheen or no sheen (depending on the finishing of the tiles). Lastly, grouting the tiles is also an important task that you need to perform to increase endurance of your slate tile bathroom.
Once you select the desired pattern of slate tiles, I would suggest that you take professional help to install them in your bathroom. It is a safer and easier option available to you.
