If you are considering using slate tile in your home, you’ve probably run across Montauk black slate tile. This slate, originating in Brazil, is absolutely gorgeous with its dark shades of deep gray and black. There is low variation in color and veining so the look is subtle and dramatic. I love the look of this tile so much that I’ve used it in two rooms in my home. It is upscale, unique, and stunning.
Montauk black slate tile comes in a wide variety of sizes. This means that you can choose between many different patterns to suit your space. You can go with a stacked or straight lay design where each tile is lined up with the one below it (corners matching), or a staggered lay where tiles are offset compared to the row below them. Diagonal lay, basketweave, herringbone, chevron–you have so many options and each gives you a different look and feel to your space.
This slate tile is good for flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and shower walls. It is also great for outside pavers (which I also plan to do) on a patio or walkway. Slate is a very hard material–like ceramic tile–with a natural stone look that is very appealing.
Mantauk Black Slate Tile Styles
The backing of slate tiles comes in one of two styles. Most slate tiles are gauged, which means the back is ground smooth. This makes them easier to lay and keep level. Ungauged tile backs are left as they are and are rather rough. Indoors, this would make them hard to install, but outdoors, the ungauged backs work great.
There are four options for face styles as well.
- Cleft, or natural: Cleft tiles are split and left as they are with rough edges and sharp lines. This is a beautiful look and is naturally no-slip. Cleft tiles are great for bathroom floors and other areas that might be exposed to water.
- Tumbled: These tiles also have a very natural look, but the sharp edges are worn off, giving them a softer, more rounded finish.
- Honed: Honed slate tiles have had the face ground down and made smooth. Honed tiles are gorgeous. I love their matte finish, and while they are smooth, they are not too slippery.
- Polished: With these tiles, the surface is made glossy like marble. This is a rare finish in slate because slate is a fairly brittle stone and it is hard to keep intact through the polishing process. Polished slate is very slippery, so it’s not a good choice for flooring but can look great as a backsplash or wall tile.
Pros and Cons
Is Mantauk black slate tile the right choice for your home? It might be! It is a beautiful, versatile stone that might be just what your space needs. Read on for a list of pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Pros
- Montauk black slate tile is unique and beautiful. It’s less common than granite (the most popular natural stone tile), which means your floor will be set apart from the rest. Because it’s a natural stone, it will even look different from other slate tile floors–the coloration and veining will be unique to each tile.
- It is a durable tile choice. With care, it will last for many years and continue to look as good as it did on installation day.
- This tile is a good investment. It will raise the value of your home and is great for resale appeal.
- Outdoors, it’s a perfect choice because it is hard, durable, non-slip, and water-resistant.
- Slate tile works really well with radiant heat systems, both electric mat and hydronic. You can make your slate floor warm and toasty with one of these under-the-floor heating systems, and heat your room in an economical and eco-friendly way.
- For countertops, slate is a durable and easy-to-clean material. It is resistant to heat and cracks and it looks unique and lovely.
Cons
- Montauk black slate tile is on the expensive side. Because of this, many people choose to install it in the most visible rooms in their homes.
- Installation is a little tricky because the tile is brittle and can break.
- Slate tile requires sealing during installation and then again every one to three years. Some people may not want to do the amount of upkeep required to keep it looking its best. Without sealing, it will stain.
- For countertops, slate is prone to etching if exposed to high levels of acidity. It can also have sharp corners, so make sure all counter edges are rounded.
- Because slate is brittle, it can crack or flake if something is dropped on it.
- It can be very hard and cold underfoot so without a radiant heat system, you probably won’t want to use it in bedrooms. If it has a smooth surface, it will be slippery.
Installation Tips
Choosing Your Tile
Make sure you choose a high-quality slate tile. Sometimes you see less expensive tile, but it’s usually not very good and will flake and chip easily. You want tile that has a tight grain, especially if you’re using it in an area that will get wet. If the grain is loose, water will get into the stone and cause stains.
Cheap slate tile can also release a dirt-like smell when wet, but quality slate won’t do this. If you’re using honed tile, you don’t need to worry about the quality because only high-quality slate can be honed. We used MSI Montauk Black slate tile in our sunroom and one of our bathrooms and could not be happier with the quality.
Installing Your Tile
When you’re installing slate tile, make sure you prepare the subfloor and underlayment so they don’t flex, or the tiles will shift and crack. Slate tile is heavy, so the floor may need to be reinforced.
What color grout will you use? The look of your floor, shower, backsplash, or counter will be dramatically different depending on whether you use light or dark grout. Look at pictures online to see what you like best.
If you’re having trouble choosing the right grout for your tile, check out this blog post for help. For advice on choosing the right size trowel, read this post. You can also see a photo of our Montauk black slate tile there. We used Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout in Charcoal with our Montauk Black tile in our sunroom and bathroom. I love the subtle contrast between the tile and the grout.
Caring for Your Tile
- Dust mop it regularly. Dirt can scratch the sealant and make it wear faster.
- Damp mop it with plain water or water and a few drops of detergent every week or so.
- Remove stains with a solution of one cup of isopropyl alcohol to one quart of water. Scrub gently with a sponge or soft cloth.
- Seal the tile and grout every one to three years, depending on how much traffic it gets
- Use either penetrating sealant or surface sealant. Penetrating sealant is preferred by most homeowners because it leaves the surface looking natural. It gets below the surface to seal pores so stains can’t get in. Surface sealant stays on the surface of the tile, and it can slightly change the look.
- Never use acidic cleaner, including vinegar. It can cause a chemical reaction that etches the stone. Don’t use abrasive cleaners, which scratch the sealant, or oil-based cleaners which clog the texture on the tile’s face.
Summary
Is Montauk black slate tile the right choice for your home? If you love the dramatic, unique look and want something as durable as it is beautiful, it might be perfect in your space. If you don’t want to deal with upkeep or you want a more affordable option, you might want to look for something else. But if you do decide to install Montauk black slate tile, you’ll get to enjoy it for years to come. It might be just what your bathroom or kitchen needs!
