Slate, a fine-grained gray, green, or bluish metamorphic rock that easily splits into smooth, flat pieces, has been a favorite material in construction and design for centuries. The stone is currently having a moment in interior design for its ability to create earthy, sensuous indoor-outdoor aesthetics. 

Why is Slate Trending?

A confluence of interior design trends that emphasize natural materials, sustainability, and unique aesthetic detail has caused slate's surge in popularity. It also reflects a broader trend toward beautiful and functional materials. Slate has timeless appeal and is a standout surfacing choice that gracefully bridges the gap between traditional elegance and contemporary design sensibilities.

Here is a look at some of the key trends bringing slate into the spotlight for both residential and commercial surfacing solutions:

Natural Materials Trend

As people seek to create healthier, more grounding environments, there's a preference for natural and organic materials in interior design, which is at an all-time high. With its earthy tones and unique textures, slate fits perfectly within this trend, offering an authentic connection to nature.

Industrial Chic

The industrial design style, which celebrates raw and unfinished elements, has been a strong influence in both commercial and residential spaces. Slate has a rugged appearance and durability, ideal for achieving the industrial chic aesthetic, particularly in places like lofts, commercial offices, and restaurants.

Indoor-Outdoor Living

As outdoor living spaces become more integrated with interiors, designers seek out materials that transition beautifully and smoothly between the outside and inside. Because slate can withstand various weather conditions, it is suitable for both outdoor patios and indoor floors, maintaining stylistic continuity.

Quiet Luxury

There's a strong trend towards quiet luxury, or low-key luxury, which places a strong emphasis on quality and enduring design rather than extravagant demonstrations of affluence. The trend embraces subdued elegance, tranquil spaces, and materials that exude both refinement and comfort. The subtle yet rich texture and color variation of slate lend an understated luxury to spaces.

Layering and Texture

Designers have always used texture to add depth and interest to spaces. The natural cleft and texture of slate provide an excellent opportunity to introduce tactile elements into the design, which can be particularly appealing in monochromatic or neutral color schemes.

Why Specify Slate-Look Porcelain?

While real slate provides a rich, natural, rustic contrast against other interior elements in a space, slate-look porcelain tiles offer some advantages over natural slate, making them a compelling choice for various reasons:

Consistency in Appearance

Natural slate can vary widely in color and texture, even within the same batch, making it challenging to achieve a consistent look across a large area. Porcelain tiles that mimic slate offer uniformity in color and texture, ensuring a cohesive appearance throughout the space.

Ardesia A Spacco Porecelain Panels by Laminam®

Easier to Maintain

Porcelain tiles are non-porous, which means they are water- and stain-resistant. On the other hand, natural slate is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent stains and water absorption. Porcelain lookalikes are low-maintenance options for busy commercial environments or high-traffic residential spaces.

More porcelain floor and wall tiles in Milk on bathroom floor and walls.

Durability

Porcelain tiles are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear, making them ideal for commercial settings such as hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces. Authentic slate, while durable, can be prone to chipping and scratching over time.


More Slate-look porcelain tile in Sage for spa flooring.

Cost-Effectiveness

Installing real slate can be more expensive not only due to the material costs but also because of the specialized labor required for installation and maintenance. Porcelain tiles are generally less expensive to purchase and install. And because of their durability and low maintenance requirements, they garner even more savings over the long term.

Design Versatility

Porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and designs, providing more flexibility in design. These slate-look tiles can be used on floors, walls, and even as countertops, which is not always feasible with natural slate due to its weight and thickness.
Moore porecelain wall tiles in Nut.

Lightweight

Porcelain tiles are lighter than natural slate, simplifying the installation process and reducing the load on building structures. The lighter weight is significant in large commercial projects or applications where weight is a concern, such as elevated floors or wall cladding.

More Suitable for Underfloor Heating

Because porcelain tiles conduct heat more effectively than natural stone, they are more suitable for underfloor heating systems, which are highly beneficial for creating a comfortable environment in cooler climates.

Suitable for Outdoors

Porcelain tiles can handle extreme temperatures without warping or cracking, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor use, including areas with hot or cold climates.

More slate-look exterior pavers in Sage

More Porcelain Tile Collection

Crossville Studios' More porcelain tile collection finds inspiration in an exclusive blend of Brazilian, Indian, and South African slates. The exclusive 3D-shaped technology faithfully reproduces the look and feel of natural slate, precisely defining the stone's smooth, rough, and thrown areas. The collection offers an exterior finish paver, making the tiles perfect for creating a visual continuity between the inside and outside.

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Ardesia Spacco Porcelain Panels by Laminam®

Inspired by Pietra di Lavagna slate from Liguria, Italy, Ardesia Spacco porcelain panels are crafted to replicate the appearance and structural depth of split-gauged stone. The highly technical, through-body porcelain delivers a natural appearance in a generous size format almost 8 inches wider than traditional porcelain panels. This stunning, textured material delivers chic styling in a 5.6mm thick porcelain that varies up to 1.5mm in thickness to realistically mimic natural slate's dimensional appearance. The way light plays over the true stone dimensions and texture gives the panels great depth and interest.

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