Anyone have experience with natural slate tile in a shower? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TMAllison · #16 02-09-2018, 12:11 PM

Been a project manager/estimator working on large commercial tile/stone projects for 33 years.

I wouldn't install that material in my home because its really dark and has some texture which could trap soap scum, but the OP can. Its a suitable material, may require more upkeep than something less textured.

They had to increase the wattage of the light blubs in the steam rooms we just did. Black on black on black sucks up all the light.

Skid Row Joe · #17 02-10-2018, 12:40 AM

The guy that complained of his slate coming up outside, probably has no idea of how to install it properly in exterior installations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

That Brazilian slate is on the denser side and has minimal cleft. Just finished installing 2 steam rooms (floors, walls, benches, ceilings) and 2 sauna floors for George Lucas using that same slate.

You'll have to cut it down to something like a 4x4 size if you were to use it on a shower pan, 12x24 won't conform the slope that needs to be present.

Has plenty of slip resistance wet or dry.

Bedrosian's in NorCal sells the same slate under the name Pearl Black.

Depends on the particular slate. The Brazilian slate I've seen was all damn near like granite. If he's pouring sealers all over it, he'll have a lot of slipping around. Large format tiles can be used with trough, or linear drains. Aren't you aware of the nuances in shower drains??

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

That's good to hear. Someone online said that slate is porous and will show hard water stains, though we have pretty soft water where I'm at.

I've got granite countertops in my kitchen that need a sealant, so I'd just do the bathroom at the same time as the kitchen.

I'll check out Stonyl. The stone is only going to be in the bathrooms - and I'm going to add a bunch of recessed lighting as part of the remodel so hopefully it doesn't feel too cold.

We have a piece of the slate in question at home - I'll give it a try tonight. The shower pan is up in the air, we're either going with a dark river rock (what I want) vs slate (what she wants). We also try not to use too many harsh chemicals to clean at home - seems just about anything more powerful than vinegar will give you cancer. :/

Slate will be coming from HD: https://www.homedepot.com/p/MSI-Montauk-Black-12-in-x-24-in-Gauged-Slate-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-10-sq-ft-case-SHDMONBLK1224G/202919773

I checked after your comment, and it comes from Brazil.

It's not that much more expensive than nice tile. Plus, it's really what the lady wants, so I'm just gonna spend the little bit of money to keep her happy (and to avoid an argument).

Slate is not porous, and does not need to be sealed. Neither does your granite need to be sealed. Vinegar won't hurt any slate, but is better used as a salad dressing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Slate is pretty porous. I'd think it would be a bother to maintain in a shower. If you don't care how it looks it probably would give fairly good traction. Its pretty good on a roof but there it floats a bit and can dry out, while getting a nice bath everytime it rains....with no soap scum.

I've never seen it in a shower.....probably for a good reason since it has been around since dirt.

Slate is not porous. All surfaces need to be cleaned. Even slate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Been a project manager/estimator working on large commercial tile/stone projects for 33 years.

I wouldn't install that material in my home because its really dark and has some texture which could trap soap scum, but the OP can. Its a suitable material, may require more upkeep than something less textured.

They had to increase the wattage of the light blubs in the steam rooms we just did. Black on black on black sucks up all the light.

I've been in the tile and stone business 35 years. I represented the largest importer of International slate for flooring and roofing from around the world and the United States. I've darn near seen it all.

t walgamuth · #18 02-10-2018, 07:28 AM

So Joe you saying slate is as impervious to absorbtion as granite?

If you are I'll have to respectfully disagree. And I'd never use slate outside in our vicious freeze cycle winters here. I can show you places here they did and regretted it.

Mxfrank · #19 02-10-2018, 11:36 AM

Slate has a dense, non porous surface. That’s why it works as roofing material. It’s vulnerable along the edges, where the cleft is exposed to weather. In the NY area, we see a lot of ‘slate’ walks, but these are almost always bluestone, which is a porous sandstone. If the walk has a proper bed, it can last for years without heaving. But in the snow belt, no pavement lasts as long as you’d like.

Skid Row Joe · #20 02-10-2018, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

So Joe you saying slate is as impervious to absorbtion as granite?

If you are I'll have to respectfully disagree. And I'd never use slate outside in our vicious freeze cycle winters here. I can show you places here they did and regretted it.

Yes, however it depends on that exact piece of slate, as well as the area(s) on that piece of slate you are doing an analysis on. Confusing, isn't it? It doesn't take a lot of training to be able to determine whether any particular slate, or slate piece is suitable for exterior usage.

Granite isn't slate, and slate isn't granite. Apples and oranges.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

Slate has a dense, non porous surface. That’s why it works as roofing material. It’s vulnerable along the edges, where the cleft is exposed to weather. In the NY area, we see a lot of ‘slate’ walks, but these are almost always bluestone, which is a porous sandstone. If the walk has a proper bed, it can last for years without heaving. But in the snow belt, no pavement lasts as long as you’d like.

Slate surfaces only, are extremely porous, and will take a sealer, either penetrating or surface sealing. However, slate does not need to be sealed. It is totally the discretion of the owner of the slate installation.

t walgamuth · #21 02-11-2018, 12:03 PM

Which is it Joe? In 17 you say it is not porous, and in 19 you say it is VERY porous.

t walgamuth · #22 02-11-2018, 12:16 PM

I just tried to find some info about "Brazillian slate". I found that granite is listed at 170#/CF, slate is 168#/CF and BS is listed at about 190#/CF. I believe that the 190#/CF is likely to be less accurate since I calculated it from a slate tile listed as 3/8" T.

I had assumed that density or weight would equate proportionally to porosity. But apparently it does not.

iwrock · #23 02-12-2018, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Been a project manager/estimator working on large commercial tile/stone projects for 33 years.

I wouldn't install that material in my home because its really dark and has some texture which could trap soap scum, but the OP can. Its a suitable material, may require more upkeep than something less textured.

They had to increase the wattage of the light blubs in the steam rooms we just did. Black on black on black sucks up all the light.

I just finished the electrical for the bathroom remodel, there's no shortage of light in the wet room of the master bathroom. I'll snap some pictures later today, but installed 2 4" LED cans over the shower, and installed a single 4" can opposite of the shower in anticipation of dark tiles. It's too bright now, and we actually are considering dimmers for the lights because the light is too intense now. We have a light grey paint for the walls, semi-gloss white roof, and chrome hardware for everything so it's OK if the shower and floor eat light.

We've since changed our minds on the tile choice for the shower walls, and have opted for these black limestone tiles. We're switching to this porcelain slate tile instead of actual slate because it's more hardy. We haven't chosen a floor for the shower pan just yet...

TMAllison · #24 02-12-2018, 07:55 PM

Justin - Those tiles will work. For the pan, smaller size tiles will conform tot he pitch present and drain better than larger tiles. As mentioned above, you could use a slot drain at the back of the shower which would allow you to use larger format material on the pan but doing so has some drawbacks including coordination of multiple trades and how wall tile layouts are then effected.

t walgamuth · #25 02-12-2018, 08:50 PM

Sounds like a good solution.