What is slate paving?

Slate paving is the use of a flat slate tile or flagstone that is laid over a sub base to provide a hard wearing surface. Outdoor slate paving is usually laid in gardens to provide a walk way, path or patio area that drains efficiently and provides a hard surface to walk on or place outdoor furniture and plant pots. Slate paving is often laid in decorative patterns to enhance the look of a garden. 

Why choose slate paving?

Slate paving is non porous meaning that is does not allow liquid to pass through it. Slate is also a natural stone and quarrying slate is more environmentally friendly than creating man made concrete paving slabs that produce immense amounts of carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, slate paving slabs are a great choice for outdoor areas with light loads.

Slate is ideal if you are looking for a dark grey or blue grey colour whereas limestone offers softer and lighter options. 

Slate has been used as one of the most popular natural stones for patios for a long time. It is very easy to clean, hard wearing and water resistant. Slate flagstones are used as the main material for patios as it is more cost effective and easier to source than other stones. 

What size options are available for slate paving?

You have the option of using a single size flagstone at 900 x 600 x 20mm in Graphite Black or Blue Grey Brazilian slate. The other option is a three size mix patio pack in 900 x 600, 600 x 600, 600 x 295 x 20mm, this is available in Graphite Black only. 

Is slate more expensive than other natural stones?

This really depends on the material type, with Sandstone & Limestone being typically slightly cheaper than natural slate although it really depends on the quality of the stone. Sandstone & Limestone is a popular choice in the UK for patio areas and usually comes in a range of slightly different colours but can vary in thickness +/- 10mm and sometimes be very heavily textured. 

Brazilian slate can be more expensive than Spanish or Indian slate. However, Brazilian slate is of a higher quality, especially for use in outdoor areas as it is regularised in thickness making it easier to lay. Brazilian slate has a fine riven finish resulting in a very flat surface.

Do slate patio slabs scratch?

Slate paving slabs do scratch but the long term effects depends on the actual quality of the slate. Welsh and Brazilian slate for example, are typically very hard wearing and very dense, a surface scratch on the really hard wearing slate tends to disappear even with a damp cloth. This makes higher density slate the best choice for patio slabs or any area where there is a lot of footfall. Lower density and softer slates will chip and scratch a lot easier, this is typically more common in Chinese slate and to a lesser extent in Indian slate. As always, price reflects quality and the more popular, harder wearing Brazilian slate is often a bit more expensive than softer slate but a much better choice for an outdoor patio.