| Many people consider slate for use in their building | | | | gets packed very carefully so that it will not |
| or remodeling projects. It is an attractive and | | | | break during shipment to its final destination. |
| highly desirable material for many applications. But | | | | 6. Each crate of slate is labeled with important |
| you may be surprised to learn these seven | | | | information including the type of slate in the crate, |
| surprising facts about slate. | | | | the origin of each particular batch, any particular |
| 1. Slate is a type of rock formed when shale | | | | characteristics, and the results of the tests |
| (made of clay minerals) is compressed | | | | conducted. Color will be noted and this information |
| extensively and exposed to very hot | | | | can be used when large jobs require large batches |
| temperatures. This causes the clay minerals to | | | | of matching slate rock. |
| turn back into mica minerals as the moisture is | | | | 7. Each batch is given an identifying number so |
| extracted and hardens the rock. It turns into | | | | that it can be tracked and matched with similar |
| mudstone and then, as it hardens and compacts | | | | shipments. |
| further, it becomes slate, a stone that is shaped | | | | Slate is a beautiful natural product that is incredibly |
| directionally and begins to break into long flat even | | | | versatile and is used in many areas of |
| pieces. | | | | construction and decorating in homes and even |
| 2. This entire process (to create slate) took place | | | | commercial buildings. It comes in a wide variety of |
| over millions of years and, in fact, began more | | | | amazing color variations and patterns that are |
| than 500 millions of years ago. | | | | created by the unique combinations of minerals |
| 3. Most of the world's natural slate-in fact 90 | | | | such as chlorite, quartz, and mica that combine to |
| percent-comes from the northern part of Spain. | | | | create fantastic colors and color variations. The |
| Areas of geology are surveyed, sampled, and | | | | visual appeal of slate makes it very popular for |
| tested for the presence of slate, and then the | | | | many different applications. |
| slate is evaluated for quality and purity before it is | | | | Slate rock is highly durable and is used frequently |
| quarried or mined. | | | | for flooring (indoors and outdoors), roofing, and |
| 4. Typically, slate is quarried from the surface, so | | | | even furnishings. It has beautiful aesthetic appeal |
| the topsoil and unusable rock above the slate | | | | and is a highly desirable material for high-end |
| must be removed from the area. Next, miners | | | | projects. In addition, it is easy to work with and |
| use diamond beaded steel cables to saw large | | | | install and it is also extremely practical. |
| blocks of slate from the slate deposit. These huge | | | | Even when wet, slate is slip resistant, so it is ideal |
| blocks of slate rock are moved to a production | | | | for use in entryways, near pools or on patios, and |
| center. There they are sorted and then get | | | | in kitchens or bathrooms where water could be |
| sawed into smaller blocks of slate along the | | | | splashed or spilled. Slate is durable, decorative, and |
| natural cleavage lines. | | | | definitely an asset to any project. It is popular to |
| 5. Skilled craftsmen then further split and cut the | | | | include slate in upscale remodeling and building |
| slate rock to specific sizes and thicknesses based | | | | jobs-from homes to hotels and resorts and even |
| on its intended use. The slate is categorized | | | | office buildings. |
| according to grade. It is then inspected. Finally, it | | | | |