If you're looking for a way to give your living room the bit more personality, picking out some slate fireplace stone is the great place to start. It's one particular of those components that somehow manages to look both durable and extremely sophisticated from the same time, which isn't a vibe that's easy to accomplish. Regardless of whether you're building a brand-new hearth from the beginning or just trying in order to figure out tips on how to cover up that dated brick through the 70s, slate is usually at the top of the list intended for a reason.
Why Slate Simply Works
There's something about slate that feels permanent. It doesn't have got that "printed" look you get with some modern tiles, mostly because it's an all natural product formed over millions of many years. If you touch it, it feels solid and cool. But even more importantly, it grips heat like a professional. Since it's a metamorphic rock, it's already been via some serious pressure and temperature changes underground, so just a little wood fire isn't going to bother it one bit.
One associated with the biggest draws of slate fireplace stone will be the texture. You generally find it in two different finishes: riven and honed. Riven is the fact that classic, bumpy, natural-split surface. It looks like it was just pulled out of a hill, and it also catches the particular light inside a really cool way once the fire is going. Honed slate, upon the other hand, is ground straight down until it's clean and matte. It's got this smooth feel that looks amazing in a modern, minimalist house.
Playing With Colors
Don't fall under the particular trap of thinking slate is just "dark gray. " Whilst those deep grilling with charcoal tones are definitely the particular most popular, nature gets pretty innovative using the color colour scheme. You can discover slate that leans into deep vegetables, rusty purples, plus even some blues.
If you want a cozy, cabin-like sense, you might choose a multi-colored slate. These types of often have "rust" inclusions—basically iron oxidization that creates gorgeous oranges and browns. Much more the fireplace feel warm also when there isn't a fire burning up. If you're taking a more "expensive hotel" look, a solid black or strong navy slate is hard to beat. It creates a huge amount of contrast, particularly if your walls are painted the lighter color.
The Practical Aspect: Durability and Heat
We ought to probably discuss the particular boring stuff regarding a second, although it's actually pretty important. Slate is definitely incredibly dense. What this means is it doesn't absorb spills very effortlessly (good news when you tend to established your coffee upon the hearth) plus it's very hard to scratch.
Moreover, it's a great cold weather conductor. It absorbs the heat from the fire and then slowly radiates it back directly into the room. Also after the fire flames have died straight down, you'll notice that the slate fireplace stone remains warm for a long time. It's like having a large, stylish battery intended for your living room's temperature.
Installation: Can You Do It Yourself?
I'll be sincere with you—working with slate isn't the simplest DIY project on earth, but it's completely doable if you're patient. The major challenge is the particular weight. Slate is definitely heavy, and when you're using large slabs for the hearth, you're probably going to need a second pair of hands.
If you're doing a "ledger stone" look—those slim strips of stone stacked on best of each other—it's a bit like putting together a puzzle. You have got to be careful about your levels, due to the fact if the underside row is slightly away from, the whole point will look crooked simply by the time you reach the mantle. Also, because slate is an organic stone, the width can differ from piece to piece. You'll spend a fair amount of time "back-buttering" the tiles (adding extra mortar to the back) in order to make sure every thing sits flush.
Keeping It Appear Fresh
Maintenance is probably the particular best part about choosing a slate fireplace stone . This really doesn't inquire for much. A fast wipe-down with the damp cloth each now and then is usually enough in order to get rid associated with any dust or stray soot.
Many people ask about sealing. To tell the truth, it's a bit of a personal preference. If you keep the slate unsealed, it has the very matte, "chalky" look that's quite rustic. In case you use a stone sealer, it can do two things: guard it from discolorations and darken the colour. There are "color enhancer" sealers that will give the stone a "wet look" all the time, making the blacks deeper and the particular grays more intense. Just remember that as soon as you seal it, it's a little bit of a procedure to go back, so maybe test that on the scrap piece very first.
Design Ideas to Steal
If you're trapped on how to actually use the stone, here are the few ways people are making this look wonderful right now:
- The particular Floor-to-Ceiling Wall: Instead of just a small surround, take those slate all the particular way towards the roof. It makes the bedroom feel much a more elevated and creates a massive focal stage.
- The Floating Hearth: Work with a dense, honed slab associated with slate that juts out from the wall without coming in contact with the floor. It looks incredibly modern plus gives you a place to tuck some firewood underneath.
- Mixed Components: Slate looks incredible next to natural wood. Believe a dark slate surround with the thick, rough-hewn walnut mantle. The "cold" stone and "warm" wood balance every other out completely.
Items to View Out For
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though. There is a couple of things you should know before a person buy. First, slate can be a bit brittle upon the edges just before it's installed. You might find a few chipped corners in your own crates, so usually order about 10% more than you think you need.
Second, if you go for the textured riven surface finish, it can be a bit of a dust magnetic. It's not a huge deal, but you may find yourself utilizing the vacuum attachment in your fireplace more usually than you might with a soft surface. It's a little price to pay for that look, but it's worth mentioning.
Is definitely It Worth the Cost?
Prices intended for slate fireplace stone vary hugely. You can get budget-friendly slate floor tiles at big-box equipment stores, or you can go to a high-end stone yard plus pay a premium for large, rare slabs. In most cases, it's more expensive than ceramic tile yet cheaper than expensive marble or granite.
When it comes to resale value, stone fireplaces are nearly always a get. Buyers love viewing natural materials, plus a well-executed slate hearth looks such as it cost more than it actually did. It offers the house a feeling of "sturdiness" that's hard to replicate with cheaper materials.
Wrapping Up
At the particular end of typically the day, picking out a slate fireplace stone is about finding that balance between what looks good and what's going to last. It's a classic material that will doesn't really move out of style. While trends may shift from super-textured stones to even, matte finishes, the particular stone itself is always likely to become a solid choice.
Whether you're curled up with an e book on a rainy Tuesday or even hosting a huge holiday party, a slate fireplace simply makes the space feel grounded. It's a little bit of the outside brought inside, and honestly, it's tough to beat that kind of natural beauty. Simply take your own time picking the proper color and finish off, and you'll oftimes be staring at this happily for the next 20 years.