I agree with bigreader. You could make them work by creating a tropical-bahamas-cuban type theme where the emphasis is more on everything white: rattan, wicker lights and fans and then lots of lush green plants...less emphasis on flooring. There is something very robust and natural about slate, and just because it isn't on-trend at the moment...who know what's coming next?!

Hard to imagine that slate will ever come back into trend. Unless you are going to get rid of them properly, just put up with them.

@cathyako- are you thinking of Pangea concrete veneer?...this is a poured acrylic product (very thin, no floor level issues). I can't imagine a rigid sheet going over slate that is usually not level by nature, without cracking.

@Gallifrey- c'mon grey, pastel and gold tapware is back....any day now I reckon ;-)!!

Nick- you can strip the sealer on your slate and re-seal it. This might tidy it up a bit?

Hello, A very cheap and quick option is painting the slate. I saw this done in a shop and it looked amazing! Not the greatest picture though.

Hi Nick

The vinyl is a no go unfortunately as it needs a nice flat surface. Otherwise you will soon see the underlying pattern through.

You have a couple of options though with the slate as others have suggested.

Firstly I would check out the adhesion of the slate to the floor ie check if there are any loose pieces. Tap on the floor lightly with your knuckles over the whole floor or VERY lightly with a hammer or other metal object. You will soon hear hollow areas.

If there is a lot hollow, I would break out the jack hammer and pop it all off. It's a bit of a job, but you can strip a large area in a day easily then grab a floor grinder to remove the adhesive. Again another day and messy but then you have a fresh start, or you can get a floor stripping company in to do it with little fuss.

Options then become standard ie vinyl, other tiles or epoxy coatings.

If you want to go over the existing floor, you can have a flooring specialist out that does self leveling epoxys or flowcrete to either create a marble style or polished concrete finish, a clear mirror level finish in which the slate looks like a pattern within the mirror floor or create a level surface from which you can then add your vinyl etc.

Cathy are thinking of Laminam? It comes in a 3m x 1m sheet which I have seen used on floors but you can also get the 1m x 1m for floors and it is 3mm thick plus the backing.

Cheers

I must be the only person in Aussieland who loves slate - it's a really beautiful natural product imo. The idea of putting laminates or vinyl over this stone is a bit like putting cheap carpet over a gorgeous hardwood floor. One day I do believe it will be back in fashion - it's well overdue to be loved again.

No compcomp66, you're not alone. It's cool to walk on, wears well (the dog can't hurt it) and I think enhancing its natural tones and textures with a good buff up and some beautiful rugs would look great. I really don't think fashion comes into it.

Definitely not alone. Putting it that way, you are absolutely right! Slate was used for centuries in medieval UK and Europe, the more it wears the more character it has. I wish we Aussies could start looking past 'fashion' and get over our tendancy to rip and gut everything to make everything 'modern'. This is not to say I think we should conserve everything.....I was the first one lined up to rip out our old Barbie pink laminate kitchen!!...but IMO good design is about blending old with new and respecting the heritage every home has, whether it's 10, 20, or 120yr.

I have about 700 square feet of natural slate tile over a radiant floor, and unfortunately I didn't realize when we bought the house what an Issue it would be. We have had it cleaned, sealed, re sealed and it always looks dirty and dark... almost as soon as you have it done....so....for thirteen years I have been looking for an answer. When I bring it up to flooring people they run the other way. Help....does anyone hear me?

Think the product name you heard of was Kerlite.