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Original poster

What's your opinion on slate floor in a kitchen?

40 replies

MerryMarigold · 13/05/2011 17:59

...in particular the multicolour slate such as this. I like it but am aware we are likely to sell within 5 years or so, so wondering if this is a popular option or not as it is a very large kitchen/ diner and would cost any buyer a huge amount to replace. Dh is a bit shocked that the tiles don't all come out "the same colour" Hmm.

Interested in pros and cons of slate in general. Maintenance? Wonder if it's possible to put over floorboards or too heavy?

Thanks

OP posts:
WhatsWrongWithYou · 17/05/2011 14:54

Thanks. Grin

Selks · 17/05/2011 15:07

I've got a slate tiled kitchen floor. It went straight onto a concrete sub-floor (old cottage).

pros - looks good, hides the dirt (Blush), very practical.
cons - cold underfoot, uneven so my fridge wobbles, difficult to thoroughly clean (ridges and grouting) - hate having to scrub

microserf · 17/05/2011 15:11

i love it, although would have to figure out how to maintain it. it would be a plus for me when looking to buy.

craftynclothy · 17/05/2011 15:24

I love my slate floor. I desperately wanted it when we had our kitchen done and it took us 10 months to get the tiles and get them fitted Blush. They are quite cold but I've not found it a problem. I also don't scrub mine anywhere near once a month Shock. It was treated when it was laid then a certain time after that, then I think it only needed done every year or so and we never bothered doing

Dh is not so keen on it cos he thinks it shows the dirt. I on the other hand, think it hides the dirt Confused. Only problem we've had with it is that because the tiles aren't flat it makes the floor uneven and we've managed to end up with it being v uneven under the dishwasher.

teta · 17/05/2011 16:17

On a 'bronze' theme Perrin and Rowe do really lovely antique bronze taps!.I love the variagated slate tiles and would be happy to have them in my kitchen [apart from the fact that my kitchen is really dark so have had to go for travertine].

migola · 17/05/2011 16:23

haven't read the rest of the thread but we have something similar (it was down when we moved in) in a long narrow kitchen (victorian terrace). I really like the look of it (looks quite rustic) however it's a pain in the arse to clean properly, because of all the indentations food gets wedged in so you need to scrub it rather than mop. Having said that, because of the different colours, you don't notice the dirt so much Grin
It's very cold in winter though and I can't go into the kitchen without my slippers on

IslaValargeone · 17/05/2011 16:30

We have the natural stuff, it is cold, the uneven bits annoy the s* out of me as certain bits of kitchen furniture wobble. I hate the fact that bits have to be scrubbed rather than a whoosh with a mop.

QueenEgglizabeth · 17/05/2011 16:40

in our previous house we had Karndean vinyl tiles in a reddish/grey 'slate' with grey 'grouting strips'. It hid dirt well, was soft underfoot and much warmer than natural slate. Looked good and was easy to clean. Also more forgiving on dropped items. Just my two pennarth...

WhatsWrongWithYou · 17/05/2011 17:07

In view of the fact all slate floor owners seem to struggle with cleaning, does anyone know if a Scoomba could tackle it?

Would be fab to come home to a clean floor, but I once spoke to someone in Lakeland Customer Services and she said it wasn't suitable for uneven surfaces.

I was wondering if anyone knew any different < desperate >.

Lovethesea · 17/05/2011 23:19

Viewed a house recently with slate floors in the kitchen, dining room and conservatory and it wasn't a plus for me. I've two small DC, one just starting to wobble walk, and any falls would be a lot more painful and damaging than onto vinyl or laminate. The cold doesn't appeal either, nor the cleaning, nor the inevitable breakages. I love the look of it, but I don't much fancy living with it.

cece · 17/05/2011 23:22

I have high gloss cupboards and find the opposite. Don't need as much cleaning and when you do it is much easier than the shaker style doors. Just a quick swipe and clean, whereas shaker style has ledges on for dust to collect and looks dirty sooner...

cece · 17/05/2011 23:24

Oh and I have Amtico on the floor and it is easy to clean too! Can you see my priorities! Wink

WhatsWrongWithYou · 17/05/2011 23:26

Totally agree re. the Shaker ledges. I have to use the vegetable scrubbing brush in there now and then, otherwise there's a grey/greasy layer of grub on view.

migola · 18/05/2011 07:14

I agree with lovethesea about having small DCs. We've put those foam tiles over a lot of it until your youngest is steadier

Original poster
MerryMarigold · 18/05/2011 19:49

My youngest are 2.5 and very steady. I still love the colours, but not so keen on the ridges (cleaning and wobbling). I got some gold toned limestone (v cheap!) sent as a sample and I love that, although it wouldn't particularly go with the copper theme. It's just so lovely and SMOOOOOOOOTH.

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