Allergen and chemical free, fire-safe, long lasting and brimming with character, slate floor tiles are the stylish choice for the modern home. Of course, all natural stone flooring products have the same basic characteristics as slate, so why has slate taken centre stage as the natural stone of choice in trend setting homes throughout Australia? There are several possilble reasons:

• Environmentally conscious Australians are steering away from chemically manufactured products and towards natural products.

• Budget conscious Australians have realised the benefits of buying flooring materials that will last a lifetime (or more) and retain their value over time.

• Flooring companies are now offering the full spectrum of slate.

Of all the natural stones, slate is arguably the most environmentally friendly because it does not require enormously energy consumptive cutting machinery to produce. Naturally layered, it splits off natural cleavage lines of uniform thickness.

Slate is one of the least expensive natural stones. This is because it occurs in abundance throughout the world and is so much more easily and cheaply cut and processed than other stones.
Of all of these reasons, the last one is probably the main reason why so many Australians are rediscovering slate floor tiles. When you go into a showroom or look online, you will discover that slate comes in so many beautiful shades and colours, you can find a variety to suit virtually any interior or landscape design.

Slate: A Subtly Hued Rainbow of Colours

A perfect example of the multitude of hues slate comes in is African multicolour slate. If you are looking for floor tiles that create a natural mosaic of perfectly coordinated colours, then this may be the slate for you. Each tile in this type of slate will contain a fascinating combination of subtle hues, including several shades of beige, gold, blue, green, grey and ochre. One tile may be predominantly blue in colour, while others will have another predominant colour, but when laid, they all blend in perfectly together.

If you're looking for a more uniform appearance, slate is also the answer. Depending on the colour scheme of your room, you can choose between African Blue, Chinese Arctic Green, Indian Arctic Pink or any one of many other subtly hued slates, not to mention shades of grey.

Another reason why slate is the stylish choice in floor tiles is the fact that, unlike many other types of stone, it can be used au naturel or coated with a sealant and can be left rough or polished smooth and look equally beautiful. For indoor use, a sealant is recommended. The sealer will enhance the colouring of the slate and if you want it to retain its natural appearance, you can choose a mat finish or, if you prefer a gloss finish, that can easily be done. Ask your local tile supplier for their advice. Together, you can find the perfect slate tiles for your floors and the perfect finish to complement them.