Slate flooring tile adds a touch of natural beauty to the home. Found in natural earthen colors, slate flooring tile helps create a unique look to a room, while providing a less formal feel than natural stone. In addition, slate flooring tile is very durable and is great for use in high traffic areas, such as foyers and mud rooms.

Setting Slate Flooring Tile

When installing slate flooring tile, the first step in the process is to set it. If the slate flooring tile is to be set over a smooth varnished or painted surface, it will first need to be sanded in order to scratch it up and assist with bonding. Otherwise, it can be placed directly over any wood or cement floor. The entire area then needs to be cleaned.

After laying out the pattern of the slate flooring tile in a nearby room, use a notched trowel to spread adhesive over the floor. The trowel should be held at a 45 degree angle and the process should start from the far corner of the room, making it easy to back out of the room upon completion. The slate flooring tile should then be placed over the adhesive and firmly pressed in order to create a tight bond. The entire floor should be allowed to dry for 24 hours.

Cutting Slate Tile

Sometimes, it is necessary to cut slate flooring tile in order to properly fit it within a room. In this case, it can be easily cut using a masonry saw with a minimum of 14 teeth per inch. The coarser the teeth used with the saw, the better the resulting cut will be. Prior to cutting, the line needing to be cut should be clearly scribed onto the slate flooring tile as a guide.

Jointing and Cleaning Slate Flooring Tile

After the slate flooring tile has been properly set, it is time to grout the joints and clean the tile. The surface of the slate and the joints first need to be cleaned once more.

Next, a latex grout should be used between each piece of slate flooring tile. Only the grout that will be used within 30 minutes should be mixed at a time and it should be mixed with water to feel like damp sand. A 3/8 inch painting trowel can be used to fill the joints with grout.

Surplus grout should be wiped off with the trowel and cleaned with a damp sponge. This must be done promptly and thoroughly. Otherwise, the grout may never come off the slate flooring tile. After three days, the floor can be thoroughly washed and it can be sealed after 30 days.