Where to buy slate tiles/slabs for fireplace?
cartrefni
3 years ago
We are changing our fireplace and am aiming for a similar finish to below. I'd like to go for a textured tile as you can see in the image. I also like the 'chunkiness' of the tile/slab in the second picture.
Just wondering if anybody had advice on where to find such a tiles. Are they likely to be fairly standard slate tiles? Can't really find anything to match on TopsTiles and its really frustrating trying to buy something like a tile in lockdown as the pictures don't really show tiles in this setting. Any advice appreciated!
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Comments (7)
Sonia
3 years agoI’m not sure it’s slate In those pictures, but, like you, I wanted a natural stone rustic finish for my fireplace, I used Indian Sandstone which comes in so many shades. The slabs are available from some garden centres and most builders merchants and are often used in the garden. They come in a rustic riven finish, or a smooth calibrated finish for a more modern look. Global Stone have loads and you can search their website for local stockists. There is an excellent supplier called The Rockery in Gamlingay, Beds, just off the A1 if that’s near you? This is mine
cartrefni
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Using split face slate in a shower
Comments (11)Hello Susienew, Must say that's a fabulous idea and pic! Love it!! So as with all stone or marble in bathrooms (maybe not slate) tend to be porous, so need to have a sealant and anti mould treatment. You can buy bottles of these which you roll on with a little sponge roller.. I have used marble so with Slate it may be slightly different.. I'd ask the supplier for any differing requirements there. I had the tiles done and then these treatments over the entire space where stone is used (to be on the safe side)... I think you can get special grout too- again maybe something different is needed.. and speak to a good bathroom fitter.. There are also specifics when putting in wet rooms. I also found that having a nice metal squeegee which you run over the tiles after showering is a good idea. These tiles are quite easy to find, I had a friend who had a few in her bathroom. Have a bit of a research and go and have a look in a tile shop too. Also good idea to get samples and see what colour you like.. I do think if you are able to do something like the image, I would say go for it!! I think they are fantastic, and you can mix these with smooth stone if you didn't want to tile the whole area like that. : ) )...See Moreslate roof tiles
Comments (2)As long as you are sure you won't need them yourself, I'd suggest calling a few building salvage yards, they probably won't offer a lot as they will want to make some profit and will have to store them until someone wants to buy them. Often people will need a few for a patch job when taking a chimney down or similar. It would be a shame to dump them, but worst case, if nobody wants them as roofing slates, you could always smash them up into small pieces and use for putting down a path or covering a planting bed....See MoreShould we keep our old fireplaces?
Comments (34)The Edwardian fireplace is the correct proportion and age for the house. Hard to tell if it is actually original to the house or if it is Mahogany or Oak, but don't paint it. Wood has a beauty of its own if treated with a natural finish like Beeswax and the patina of age adds to the beauty. Certainly don't varnish it. One of the reasons it appears heavy in the photo is the oak surround on the hearth tiles. My advice would be to remove the wood hearth surround and install a wood floor in the room (perhaps oak and slightly lighter in colour than the fireplace butting up to the tiled hearth). This will will compliment the fireplace and ground it. You could remove the tiles (normally I would keep original tiles) but the cream and maroon colours in this instance do give an overall heaviness and don't particularly enhance the fireplace, however I would leave the tiles for the moment. The finished scheme should look classy and elegant with a neutral colour palette. If this is going to be a working fireplace than you may consider a grey slate hearth. This is the focal point of your room so getting it right is key. Wherever possible conserve original features. The 1930's fireplace on the opposite side would appear original and most likely installed in the 30's. It is charming but not proportionally correct for an Edwardian house. But because it tells a story and is original I would be loath to remove it. Selling it on would be tricky as the tiles will most likely damage when removing them. I would keep both fireplaces as they will both sit well in a neutral colour scheme with a wooden floor....See MorePatio Slabs - Right now Confused.Com
Comments (6)Good quality and cheap don't really sit that easily together I am afraid. Forzaitala is right in that you can get cheap sandstone for the price she indicates. Beware though as the cheaper stuff is often softer and absorbs more water. The softness doesn't mean it will wear out, but it does mean that it will also absorb stains more easily as well as water. The water also means that it is easier for algae to grow and penetrate the surface of the stone and for dirt to be ground in. This makes it much harder to clean. People tend to forget that patios do need at least an annual jetwash and if the surface gets dirtier more quickly then you have to increase this frequency. Another thing to remember about the cost of the stone is that this only represents a small part of the patio cost unless you are laying it yourself. A patio costs around £200-220 per square meter laid and so labour makes up a large part of the cost. Similarly as Forzaitala says, uncalibrated stone gets very expensive to lay because the sub-base has to take account of the different thicknesses of each paver - so avoid it unless you are looking for something like reclaimed old Yorkstone. Cheap stone can also be a false economy in other ways too - I recall a client who sourced cheap stone only to find that it wasn't quite flat and so had lots of trip hazard edges and places for water to pool when it had been laid. A word of warning on concrete slabs. The cheaper they are the worse they will be - this is both in appearance and wearing. After a few years small bits of concrete wear away and you can see the gravel that was in the mix standing out - looks horrible. Finally - don't forget outside Porcelain - can be cost effective and very hard wearing and easier to clean. A good supplier for the South East is London Stone, or CED nationally....See Morecartrefni
3 years agocartrefni
3 years agoUpdate. Went for the slab from a landscaping centre. Happy with the result! Just need a burner now.
Sonia
3 years ago
PROExpand & Build Ltd
3 years ago
Sarah U-S