When you hear of a natural stone worktop, often marble or granite is the first to pop in your head. But do you know that even slate worktops are as good as marble and granite?
Slate worktops are elegant and add character to any kitchen interior while giving it a unique look. If you’ve not heard much about slate as a worktop material, here’s what you must know.
Slate Worktops
Slate worktops are made from natural volcanic ash and sedimentary clay. These natural elements undergo low-grade regional metamorphosis within the layers and convert to slate. These layers are visible on the surface when this material turns into slabs. These are perfect to given unique touch and cleft texture to any given space.
Finishes and Textures
Slate is not porous like marble and granite, so you may leave it unpolished. It even offers different texture options, unlike other natural stone worktops. Here are the three popular slate finishes:
- Honed: Honed finish is perfect for those homeowners who don’t like polished finish. Honed slate kitchen worktop results in a flat surface with mild lustre. This material doesn’t have too much texture. But if you like, you can add texture to your favourite honed slate worktops.
- Cascade: This finish provides slight ripples on the slate’s surface. It is not as flat as the honed finish, but it’s also not a busy pattern.
- Cleft: It is the natural texture that slate already has. It boasts all layers of slate in its full form. This rough texture is ideal for industrial and rustic kitchen designs. Although it’s challenging to maintain, it adds a unique character to the given space.
Colours
Usually, people think that slate kitchen worktops come only in grey or black hues. But that’s not true. Slate also comes in a wide range of colours ranging from green to burgundy. Even darker shades of slate are sourced from Italy, Spain and Brazil. However, most coloured varieties of slate come from the United Kingdom, Africa Ireland and China. When installed, coloured slate looks amazing while adding minimal elegance and delicate aesthetic charm to any interior style.
Maintenance of Slate Kitchen Worktops
To your surprise, slate worktops are one of the low-maintenance materials. The high-quality slate worktops are non-porous, stain-resistant, non-absorbent, durable and hard. But if you oft for cheaper slate varieties, they may chip or show signs of damages over time.
Whether you install black slate worktops or any lighter-toned slate countertop, you can easily take care of them. All you need is a mild cleaner and soft cloth to clean it every day. High-quality Satinato slate worktops don’t even need a sealant. However, it is recommended to do a water bead test by placing a few drops of water on its surface. If a bead is formed, you don’t have to apply any sealant on its surface. But if the water is absorbed without any bead formation, you need to use a sealant for protection.
Slate is a hard material; however, if you drop anything substantial on its surface, it’s likely to chip off. Nonetheless, it’s easier to repair Riven slate worktops, but the fixed part will be visible. But expert fabricators may try their best for making the surface seamless by hiding the repair marks to the minimal. Even the edges of the slate are subjected to chips. So, it’s best to go for round corners to minimise any chipping.