clé slate | square field tile

do i need to seal slate tiles?
 
exterior walls require vertical weather flashing and waterproof, penetrating sealant. 
exterior floor installations must be installed above grade with application of a waterproof, penetrating sealant. we recommend sealing the grout lines and tile surface in all applications of slate (dry and wet) as the final step of installation. 
 
for more information about sealing please see our slate installation & maintenance guides.

do you offer trim for your slate tile?
 
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
 
- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
- a visible stone tile edge can be sanded to make the side match the main surface of the tile.
- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.

for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.

how do i take care of my slate tiles?
 
slate is chemically sensitive so only mild pH neutral cleaners should be used.
 
clé recommends laticrete cleaning products, please see our slate installation & maintenance guide for more information.

what type of finish should i expect with this collection?

our clé slate collection is gauged, meaning the backsides of the tiles have been ground down to give a consistent thickness, while the front sides have been left with their natural finish. you will find a textured surface rich with the color and shade variation that results from the natural layering making up slate. the clefts on the tile surface provide a natural slip resistance.
 
there may be darker sections that look as if a portion of a layer was removed — it is not a defect but a natural response to wear and tear called shaling. this is the process of the slate’s cleft surface to slough off during the first several months of floor (and sometimes, wall) use. this will not happen with every tile, just the tiles that have a section of loosened cleft surface, and it will only expose more slate stone underneath. it will finish once any loose portion of the slate’s cleft has come off.

what types and levels of variation and imperfections should i expect?
 
with the clé slate collection you will find a textured surface rich with color and shade variation that come from the natural layering that makes up slate. color variation and inconsistency are absolutely normal for a natural product like slate. 
 
due to the color and shade variations, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing. do not install without blending tiles from all boxes.
 
variation and imperfection ratings:
 
slate tiles are rated 'level 3 medium' for color and texture variation, and 'level 1 light' for size variation.
 
see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation & imperfection guides.

how will my slate samples compare to my actual order?
 
as noted in the variation and add on orders sections of our faq, color and size variation between batches of slate tiles, in addition to variation from tile to tile, is to be expected given that slate is a natural stone and production batches are pulled from a quarry, at different times and from different areas. this makes it unlikely that your sample will be a perfect match with your actual order.

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?
 
industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs.
for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.

clé recommends a 1/8" grout joint with this collection.

clé recommends using mortar and sanded cementitious grout that comply with the ANSI A118 or ISO 13007 classifications suitable for your project. Please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations.

grout color selection is always up to our client and/or their design professional. however, clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. and due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.

first, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.

next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.

lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). during that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.

for more information about grouting please see our slate installation & maintenance guide.

any tips for installing the slate modernist mosaic?

we recommend a grout joint size of 1/8" with our clé basics slate. however, given that our modernist mosaic contains a mix of sizes, you may need to vary the grout joint slightly as you go in order to accommodate for size variation between pieces and also to have the pieces fit smoothly in the overall pattern footprint.

rectangle field tile - 12"x24"x3/8"

subway - 3"x6"x"3/8"

square - 12”x12”x3/8”

square - 16"x16"x3/8"

square field tile - 24”x24”x3/8”

plank - 6"x24"x3/8"

plank - 4"x12"x3/8"

disclaimer: please note length and width dimensions are nominal. additionally, dimensions between tiles can vary +/- 1/8", and thickness can vary by +/- 1/4" as a result of the natural unfinished surface inherent to slate.