Flooring choice dilemma

3 years ago

We are building a new house and can’t decide on how much slate to use on the ground floor. We’d like the main flooring to be a dark grey slate however, do we mix materials anywhere? I think we’d like to keep the hall, plant room, shower room, main kitchen/dining/lounge, utility, pantry and craft room all with slate but if we were to put some wooden flooring in there, where would you put it? It will all have underfloor heating. Also, there will be a patio leading into decking so we will hopefully be able to use an outside version of the same slate. This is all adding up to be a lot of slate, so your thoughts are very welcome!

The house is in a ‘black house’ style with vertical black cladding and a very simple shape, so we’re aiming for an industrial look.

The guest bedroom and snug will likely have wooden floor.

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Comments (13)

PRO
Factory Direct Flooring Ltd
3 years ago
We would suggest a wooden floor in the hall and maybe the craft room too? With the slate flooring in the main open plan living space, it could encourage some separation between the open plan and the more separated side of the house. What kind of wood floor were you thinking, what about a light engineered wood like the ones below? You can find out more and get a quote for either on our website

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Lyndsay
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks. I think we’d go for wide planks if possible not the herringbone, however hadn’t considered light flooring as a colour, will have a think about that. We haven’t decided on the doors yet either so that’s complicating our wood choice.
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Sonia
3 years ago
Like you, I wanted a slate floor in my kitchen, but my stepson, who owns a flooring and tiling shop, encouraged me not to use it, for several reasons. It’s porous so unless it is properly sealed regularly it will stain. He also said it has a habit of chipping and flaking and just isn’t hardwearing. It’s also not great for outdoor use as it splits and flakes. In fact a member of my local gardening group has tripped and fallen on her slate patio and wants it all taken up as so much of it is breaking up.

My stepson suggested I use slate effect porcelain, which I did. It looks like the real thing but tougher. Mine has been down 10 years and it is very hardwearing and easy to clean - hoover then mop, that’s it. I don’t have UFH but I think it would be a good idea. For outside you can get outdoor grade porcelain which is thicker and very non slip. In fact I’m having my patio done right now in porcelain! You could easily mix your floorings for example you may want carpet in the bedrooms and the snug, or a cosier wood in those rooms.

Here’s a couple of examples of slate effect porcelain, but there are loads
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Are there different types of Slate? Some that flake and some that don't? Maybe Welsh slate is better, who knows. If I were to reflow my ground floor again I would use a large format porcelain or limestone ( not too yellow though).
Sonia
3 years ago
This is the person in the gardening group’s slate patio. Dangerous.
Lyndsay
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Sonia for the pic, that doesn’t look safe at all. I have had slate in my house and front steps for about 12 years and it’s barely looks any different to the day it was laid, so there must be different quality of slate that is more/less flaky. I have seen some nice slate effect porcelain tiles at a trade show but am slightly nervous about those as it will be in a high wear area and are potentially more likely to chip or crack (or so I’ve read)?

Regarding the house plan, how would you put tiles (wether slate or porcelain) and wood across the ground floor? This is what I am not sure how to do in a stylish way.
Lyndsay
Original Author
3 years ago
@colourhappy why would you go for porcelain or limestone over slate? Just curious!
PRO
Jade Jefferies
3 years ago
The hotel Heckfield Place has a lovely herringbone slate floor:
PRO
Jade Jefferies
3 years ago
The key to mixing flooring finishes is to have smart thresholds - as long as your builder knows what you are using early enough then they can allow for the different thicknesses in the floor build up- hope that helps!
Lyndsay
Original Author
3 years ago
@Jade thanks, that’s a good loking threshold - is that a brass strip?
Sonia
3 years ago
Yes Lyndsay maybe there are different quality slate. Porcelain is incredibly strong, despite the name, but you should always go with what you love.
Victoria
3 years ago
I had slate tiles in the kitchen in the house we rented while building our house. I hated them with a passion. They zapped all the light from the room, showed every speck of dirt and were a nightmare to keep clean.
I now have a glossy, wood-effect porcelain tile throughout the entire house and have never once regretted it.
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
We have a very dark grey Brazilian slate in our kitchen, downstairs WC and a sitting room. It’s been down a few years, and to be fair, it’s still looking the same as it did when it was laid. We sealed it when it was first down and then it’s been sealed maybe once or twice since (in over 11 years). It certainly hasn’t flaked and has stood up to family life / abuse incredibly well.

Would I choose the same again? No! However my only reason is the colour - I just wish I’d picked something lighter like a pale limestone (or limestone effect).

Flooring choice dilemma

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