HIGHLIGHTS:
Material definition: Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock that is derived from sediments of clay and fine silt. The action of intense heat and pressure changes the original clay into new minerals such as mica, chlorite, and quartz. These natural processes transform the clay into slate. Slates can usually vary in composition, structure, and durability due to the alteration of the minerals being rather inconsistent. This natural process of slate formation has provided this material with certain properties that help to make slate an excellent choice as a kitchen countertop material. It is a natural material that is known for strength and durability, like that found in granite or marble.
Tips for Selection: Slate is considered to be a softer stone than granite. Design and application considerations need to be taken into consideration when it comes to providing surfaces with proper application. While most slate can be darker stone, it is also available in shades of red, green, blue, and purple.
Advantages:
- impervious to stains, heat, water etc
- elegant and can be cleaned very easily
- great for cutting vegetables, preparing, and serving the food
Disadvantages:
- can scratch easily
Average Material Cost: similar to granite in cost.
OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops: The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen counter tops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Kitchen Slate Countertops: Many kitchen design professionals regard slate as an even better natural stone surface that marble or granite, since slate kitchen countertops have a low porosity so that this surface requires no sealing. Most slate countertops are considered to be stain-free. Slate countertops look great.
Many people might associate slate as just a material for roofing and outdoor walkways, however slate can be an excellent material for use in kitchen countertops, primarily because slate has a low absorption rate. What this means is that slate kitchen countertops are more stain resistant and less likely to provide a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
GREEN Considerations: Very low supply. Not renewable. Once it is removed from the earth is cannot be easily reused. Be sure to use low-VOC sealant, look for a source that is near you to cut down on transportation, and seek out remnant slabs.
