kitchen worktops Welsh slate?

[patchworkchick]

I am searching for a great work top, about to renovate and want something British. I have found a welsh slate work top that looks amazing, are there any downsides?

No idea but its what I've always wanted
One day
And a link to stash would be lovely please

here's what I found: www.slateworktops.co.uk/ Looks amazing, but so did a granite work top in my old home and I used to have to polish that.

I have slate worktops and I love them. No downsides - they are matt so don't show watermarks or need polishing like granite. And you can put hot plates right down on them. Moving house this year most likely and I will miss my slate worktops more than anything.

Looks like you have to seal it but it doesn't seem expensive to do and have to be careful what cleaners you use

When I said plates I meant pans of course.

I have slate from the original pantry in my house.We removed and repolished it and it looks lovely.I sealed it with olive oil -2 or 3 times.The oil really brings out the pattern of the slate.We use it on either side of our Rangemaster.It does scratch but these can be wiped out or oiled out[or failing that rub with really fine sandpaper].Our house is over 100 years old and fairly close to Wales so i believe that we probably have Welsh slate.There is cheaper continental slate arround now i believe that is consistently plain and not interestingly marked but is useful for fire bases etc.

great to hear no downside, as it looks amazing.

I looked at slate as I do think it looks beautiful, I think it may be softer than granite so it can chip more easily, also possibility of getting water marks sort of soaked in (?) which is why I didn't go for it in the end. So no personal experience but possibly a bit more fo you to check until you're sure!

We stayed in a Welsh holiday cottage with slate surfaces in the kitchen last year, lovely and very easy to clean. I'd definately consider them if I got a new kitchen ( some hope)

We have a slate worktop/shelf in our bathroom (with a bowl handbasin on top). It is easy to keep clean and I've always thought it would make a good kitchen top, however it would have to be smooth (ours is "riven" so not smooth, which would possibly trap bugs on a kitchen surface??). Looks lovely, although obviously I haven't tested with hot pans!

My friend has slate worktops and floors. She hates them, says they chip and show marks and blames her DH for not sealing them. We had them in our holiday cottage last year and there were ring marks all over them and I was worried the owner may blame us - so there may be something in what she says.

You have to be very careful with acids - I spilt some lemon juice over mine and it made a horrible white stain. Luckily, if you soak it with olive oil it disappears but I think you have to get on to it quite quickly.

I have had riven slate flour before and that did flake if knocked. The work top is smooth and just looks amazing. A sample coming and will see what happens once I've oiled it.

flour? Floor!

Has anyone used a company called Saddleback Slate to supply and fit their slate worktops? Sounds like it's a small family run business and am keen to go with them, but difficult to find reviews for them on-line.
Thanks