Slate Countertops: smooth, safe, sensational!

Slate is the quiet, little known, but serious, player in countertops for kitchens and vanities. Of course, slate is traditionally seen as a building material for flooring, roofing, cladding on buildings, wherever there is a need for a very strong, solidly performing material. So, why not kitchen countertops?

Slate keeps a low profile. Not often seen at kitchen and bath shows, rarely marketed to kitchen and bath designers, slate is, perhaps, one of the strongest, if not the strongest, materials one can use as a kitchen countertopeven exceeding the properties of granite.

Slate, as a countertop material, has numerous properties that we designers look for, and need.

Color

Slate is available in a variety of colors. Mostly understated, in middle to dark tones, the colors of slate are generally seen as:

* Red
* Deep Purple
* Deep Purple/Turquoise Combination
* Turquoise
* Gray
* Black

The look is quiet, elegant, strong, simplistic, nature-like, minimalist.dependent on its application within the room. Slate is almost always honed, although it can be oiled for a slightly more glossy look.

Pattern/Graining

Depending on the variety of the slate, the grain type and pattern can vary. Some slates, as Black Lace, has a distinctive highly textural, high-design look. Other slates exhibit very little graining whatsoever. Others are mottled. Some are quiet, with little graining, except for one strong, localized grain pattern, running through the slate, for a look of pure, natural beauty. Clients must be advised that graining pattern/direction/type cannot be predicted. Photos of completed countertops in their color and a 12x12 sample is helpful.

Edging

Typically, slate edges are simple square edges with a very small radius top and bottom. Variations could be any edge one would see in granite. Due to the understated look, slate is not often seen with an ogee (OG) edge. Slate is perfect for a rough cut, exposed, edge. Try it!

Properties

One of the best properties of slate is its extremely low absorption rate, lower than granite. Designers can consider most slates as being stain-free. KBP.com has performed testing on the turquoise/green colors and has found these slate colors to be stain-free. Slate in the gray/black family may need a sealer. Get 12x12 samples of various colors from a slate distributor. In many cases, they are free.Take time to apply numerous food and acidic substances to the material.wine, coffee, worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, ketchup, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, oils. Leave 24 hours, wipe clean, and observe. Or, on a 12x12 sample, apply substances to half of that surface. As a result of slate's low absorption, the material can be considered anti bacterial in nature.

Slab material generally is available in smaller sizes than granite, resulting in an additional seam or two. Pay attention to seaming issues.

Care

Soap and water, or even a tough cleaning product such as Fantastic. If a sheen is desired, use a diluted solution of Murphy's Oil Soap and water. Apply, and buff off before it dries.

Scratches are easily removed, simply, with a sponge, during normal cleaning of the countertop. Deeper scratches are easily rubbed out with wet steel wool.

ONLY the gray and black stones need to be sealed as they are more absorptive in nature than other colored slates. Thus, mild soaps only should be used on these colors, so as not to strip the sealer.