...and now for the slate

Just out of interest i would like to hear your thoughts and what you would do
OH has built what i think is a very nice extension onto our kitchen.  He has done most of the work himself, just having someone to plaster and for the electrics.

We have decide to have a slate floor so today we've been to see three places selling slate.
First one sold slate from China.  Looked ok  if a little dark.

Second one, the slate came from Brazil.  They had 2 colours, both looked the same to me but again OK.
Both came in at £500-£600  and they said the slate would last at least 30years

Stop no.3 was Delabole slate quarry, just 10 miles from us.  The slate is a lovely soft colour, much paler than the other two and did look beautiful.  Expected life of this slate is 500 years when it can be lifted and relaid.  Price £3200.

The Delabole slate is local, very lovely and in-keeping with our house.  We have other Delabole slate floors put down between 1650-1700, but its £3200 and in 30years,- the life of the other two-  we will probably both be gray ash in a jar.
What would you do.

my customers where happy to give the face of the tile a coat of sealer and then lay them.


nathan

Thats a good tip, thanks Nathan

not a problem,

its not that often that i do know enough to share with people but when i do know something you will find im passononate about it.

tiling was my chosen trade and a back accident was the cause of me giving up.

i still do bits as and when i can, just to keep my hand in and my knowlage up

like i said any help you need feel free to contact me

nathan

It is a dilema if you are looking at ethical reasons as well as cost. If money was no object I would go for the delabole (not living far from there myself) have you thought about reclaimed slate or approaching the quarry direct?
p.s the extension looks lovely

uk slate splinters more than imported and re-claimed slate isnt graded and planed like the modern stuff so takes twice as long to lay and you need more adhesive


nathan