| Every slate tile in the world is unique, due | | | | erratic, each one having different colors and |
| to the naturally occurring chaos which creeps | | | | patterns. In this case, it is important to |
| into its appearance during formation. This | | | | balance the various stones, light against |
| gives the material a certain amount of power, | | | | dark, subdued against wild, to create an |
| and makes every installation a one of a kind | | | | effect which has a strong center. |
| experience. | | | | |
| | | | When laying out slate it is also important to |
| When putting natural slate into a floor, | | | | dampen the tiles. This will give you an idea |
| countertop, or backsplash, it is important to | | | | of what they will look like once the stone |
| lay the tiles out first, to get a sense of | | | | has been sealed. The moisture from the water |
| the overall picture that will be formed in | | | | seeps into the stones pores, much like a |
| the final installation. Each tile is a unique | | | | sealer eventually will, bringing out a |
| portrait that will have to be coordinated | | | | variety of colors and contrasts which were |
| with all of the others, to develop a montage | | | | invisible before. |
| which is complimentary and fits the overall | | | | |
| ambience you are trying to achieve. | | | | Once you have decided on the layout of your |
| | | | tiles, it is often helpful to label them with |
| Like laying out a giant puzzle, where you | | | | small numbers on the back or sides, to help |
| determine what the outcome will be, you | | | | with laying them out. Markings should be done |
| should rearrange the tiles several times to | | | | in pencil, so that any stray markings or |
| get a feel for your different options. If you | | | | exposed edges can easily be washed clean. You |
| are lucky, your contractor will have had the | | | | should also be certain to make a note of how |
| foresight to order a couple of extra tiles. | | | | the sequence is supposed to be laid out, |
| This will allow you to choose the absolute | | | | whether vertically, horizontally, backward, |
| best, discarding any which you don't like, or | | | | or forward. |
| which don't fit in with the overall scheme | | | | |
| the rest of them create. | | | | It is helpful to have a contractor or |
| | | | installer that has an artistic eye when |
| Often slate tiles which come from the same | | | | dealing with natural stone. When choosing to |
| box will have come from the same quarry, and | | | | hire someone, you should try and get a look |
| may have even been cut from the same original | | | | at their portfolio to see some of the work |
| slab. If this occurs, you can lay them out | | | | they have created. Since stone is such a |
| sequentially, and try to recreate the | | | | unique medium, it is also often helpful to |
| original appearance of the stone as it lay | | | | give your own feedback on installations, and |
| within the mountain. | | | | to try and incorporate your own vision into |
| | | | the project. |
| Other times the tiles within a box will be | | | | |