calibrated

Gauging refers to a process where the thickness of a series of tiles is leveled for the installation process. If the stones have variable dimensions, they may sit unevenly in an architectural application. The way to solve this problem is to use a mechanical grinder to remove excess stone from each tile.

Natural / Split

When slate has a natural cleft finish, it means that the surface of the stone is rough and has not been sharpened or polished. The word “crack” refers to the splitting that occurs within the stone, during its formation, and which causes the irregular features found in finished tiles.

The main appeal of using split slate is that it has a natural, rustic look. Cleft stone looks like real stone and gives the application an “outdoor” feel.

Another great advantage of using split material is that it is extremely slip-resistant. This is why many restaurants and commercial kitchens use this material as it reduces the demands of customers falling into wet puddles.

Cracked material also tends to wear well in high traffic areas. The dimensional nature of the stone tends to soften over time and achieve an attractive brushed patina that many people find quite beautiful.

The drawback to using a cleft material is that it can be uncomfortable to walk on with bear feet, due to the small ridges and spikes that protrude from its surface.

Polished

The slate that has been polished has been ground by a machine to give the material a smooth, shiny and shiny appearance. Polished slate tends to resemble marble, except the colors are more unique and the dimensionality that the original stone had is preserved to some degree, such as shadow lines on the polished surface of the material.

Polished slate is often considered fancier than natural slate and has a more “finished” look. It also tends to retain many of the colors and characteristics found in the original stone, making it rustic and powerful, while retaining its sophistication and style.

The problem with polished slate is that it is never as spectacular as the natural surface of the stone, and many of the rich colors found in it will be washed out by this process. Polished slate is also quite slippery and doesn’t have any of the dimensional qualities that make the split version so popular in restaurants.

The polished version will also tend to show scratches and dirt much more easily than a natural finish.

improved

A honed finish is the middle ground between split and polished slate. A polished surface is smooth to the touch, but does not have the shiny appearance and texture of a polished material.

A polished finish is generally used when you want a polished look, but don’t want a material that creates a slip hazard. This type of finish gives the slate a bit of texture, just enough to snag your shoes, making it much safer than a polished alternative.

Unfortunately, it loses many of the colors and characteristics found in a natural stone when polished, making the result considerably less vibrant.

Brushed / Flamed

The brushed or flamed finish is relatively new to natural stone. It’s a process where a natural indentation is slightly refined, just enough to get rid of the more dramatic spikes. The difference between this and polishing is that the resulting materials look natural, with the vibrant colors and dimensionality, but you can walk on them with the feet of a bear.

Brushed material is very popular in hotel lobbies, where homeowners are trying to achieve a look that is both dramatic and inviting, without presenting a slip hazard and without the natural indentations that can cause people walking in socks to slip. they feel uncomfortable.

conclusion

There are many different options you have for the finish of your natural slate. The style you choose should largely depend on taste, but also on the application you’re trying to achieve. You need to balance slip resistance and color with consistency and elegance, and find out what’s really important to your project.