Slate is a fine grained metamorphic rock formed from an original shale type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash subjected to heat and pressure (low grade metamorphism). The result is a layered rock which is easily split into thin sheets. These sheets are then cut into regular shaped sizes. Slate is mainly composed of quartz and illite. When impurities like iron oxide are trapped between layers of shale, multi-coloured slate is formed varying in colour. Slate varies in colour from shades of grey and black through greens and browns to reds and yellows. Slate can be used for roofing, interior and exterior flooring and wall cladding. Sealants are required to improve durability and appearance, increasing stain resistance. Slate is supplied in regular and irregular sizes as tiles or cladding varying in thickness.
Slate Products
Cleaners
New Installation Cleaners: Grout Lift, Deep Clean, Daily Clean, Deep Clean
Problem Solvers: Wax-off, Stripp-off, Mould-X, Rust-X, Grout Cleaner
Maintenance and Restoration: Protect & Shine, Surface Protector -Matt
Slasto
Slasto is a softer sedimentary rock than slate, comprising fine particles of clay and other materials which were laid down in river or sea beds. Slasto is characterised by its "flaky" and dry appearance when unsealed. Slasto varies in colour from browns and reds through to gray and black. As with all natural products, there is considerable variance in porosity, chemical make-up, hardness and other features. Slasto is often supplied in irregular shapes of varying thickness. Regular uniform tile sizes may be sold under a name such as "Rosa Stone". Slasto requires sealing to prevent staining as well as to provide surface protection from abrasion and water damage.
Slasto Products
Cleaners
New Installation Cleaners: Grout Lift, Deep Clean
Maintenance Cleaners: Daily Clean
Sealer Selection: Slate Sealer, H2O Seal & Shine
Problem Solvers: Wax-off, Stripp-off, Mould-X, Rust-X, Grout Cleaner, Deep Clean
Maintenance and Restoration: Protect & Shine, Surface Protector -Matt
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock consisting usually of fine grains of silica quartz, and feldspar “cemented” together with fossils, clay, calcium carbonate and iron oxide. Sandstone is extremely durable and hard wearing being mainly silica, varying in colour, texture, layering and composition.
Because of impurities sandstone varies from natural silica colours such as off-white, yellow, browns, beige and mustard to pinks, greens and reds. Sandstone is used internally and externally on floors, walls and building facades. Most sandstones are acid resistant although certain sandstone colours have naturally occurring iron oxide which will rust or change colour after acid washing. Natural sandstone has a rough, granular surface texture and requires sealing to facilitate easier cleaning. Sandstone in general is porous and requires sealing to reduce staining. Sandstone is available in blocks, tiles and cladding, either polished, honed or natural.
Problem Solvers: Wax-off, Stripp-off, Mould-X, Rust-X, X-treme Clean, Grout Cleaner, Deep Clean
Maintenance and Restoration: Protect & Shine, Surface Protector -Matt
Granite
Granite is an igneous rock of crystalline structure formed from volcanic action , composed mainly of potassium, sodium rich feldspars, mica and quartz. Granite has a mottled appearance and varies in colour from black to grey to white, pink, yellowish, red, green, brown and rarely blue. Granite is extremely dense and heat resistant due to its formation. Granite is best suited for use as countertops but is also used as tiling for walls and floors and cladding material. Granite is used both internally and externally. Granite is generally sealed with “impregnators” only to provide stain resistance. Flamed granite is sealed to improve ease of cleaning and to improve depth of colour. Granite is available in blocks, tiles and cladding, either polished, honed, flamed, textured or natural.
Problem Solvers: Wax-off, Stripp-off, Mould-X, Rust-X, X-treme Clean, Grout Cleaner, Deep Clean
Maintenance and Restoration: Protect & Shine, Surface Protector -Matt
Quartzite
Quartzite is a sedimentary rock formed from very pure sand on the beds of shallow seas and is extremely hard and dense. Quartzite has a high quartz content. Quartzite is the worlds most abundant source of silica. The purest quartzite is white, but other mineral deposits produce a range of colours including black, grey, green, pink and red. Quartzite is used as tiling for walls and floors and cladding material. Quartzite is used both internally and externally. Quartzite is generally sealed with impregnators or repellents only to provide stain resistance. Quartzite is available in blocks, tiles and cladding either polished, honed, flamed, textured or natural.
Problem Solvers: Wax-off, Stripp-off, Deep Clean, Mould-X, Rust-X, Grout Cleaner
Maintenance and Restoration: Protect & Shine, Surface Protector -Matt
Jade
The term jade is applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals. Jadeite is found in rocks that were formed through volcanic activity. These are igneous rocks that have been changed from their original composition by heat and pressure (metamorphic rocks). It is a very hard and exceptionally tough material. Jadeite is usually green but it may also be black, blue, brown, lilac, orange, violet, pink, red, white or yellow. The higher the iron content the greener the colour. Care should be taken when cleaning Jade as acid based cleaners may cause the iron in the stone to rust turning the stone yellow. Repellents or impregnators should be used to seal materials of similar nature.
