As installing a slate tile flooring system is a huge investment and a project, you should consider how important it is to weight out all of the variables involved in embarking on changing this aesthetic in your home.
Do you want to install these tiles onto your kitchen, your bathroom, your patio, or some random area of your house? It is quite important to think about how much walking is done in that specific area, so you can gauge how much foot traffic will be trampling onto the tiles.
This is when you may start to think about the typical climate/temperature of the living space, too.
Be sure to be “in the know” about the varieties of substrates available for your slate tiles, as they are the literal foundation upon which you will place the tiles in the first place. The more knowledge you have, the better guidance you will have in your substrate and tile choice.
But, what is a substrate in the first place? My intuition brings me to ask this question for the many of you who have never heard of the word until this posting.
For most of us, the word sounds like a chemistry lab experiment waiting to happen. And, it really is, essentially. it is a biochemistry term for a “molecule upon which an enzyme acts”. And, in the world of home improvement, a substrate is the foundation in which the tiles (regardless of type) will set in onto the floor. It is also known as a “subfloor”.
Many variations of substrate exist. They range from particle-board, to thin concrete slabs, to plywood.
Usually, when placing down slate tiles, the best type of substrate is a thin-slab of cement on top of plywood. You may find something else will work better, and it will be only your choice and your choice alone!
Once you have decided and settled on the substrate/subfloor and the tiles, you can proceed to ordering everything (whether it is from an online builder, or at a brick and mortar store).
Ben Dziga gives helpful tips on tile flooring, namely slate tiles.
Tags: decorating, floor remodeling, floor renovations, home, home improvements, slate tile flooring, slate tiles, tile flooring