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clé slate | subway

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a clé classics tile

clé classics are our affordable staples and are a great tile for first time home buyers, those on a budget or those looking for a high-low look. we like to refer to them as the ‘jeans and t-shirt’ of tiles.

buy sample

sample

$3.00/piece

full tile order

start your project

$ 8.37/sqft

NOT INCLUDED IN SALE PROMOTION
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in stock | ships from warehouse within 10 business days

calculate your project

sqft needed

industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs

0

total sqft

$ 8.37 /sqft

0

total boxes

$ 42.00 /box


$0.00

subtotal

0 total pieces

minimum order of 20 sqft

product specifications

technical specifications

freeze thaw resistant icon

freeze thaw resistant

radiant heating compatible icon

radiant heating compatible

uv resistant icon

uv resistant

heat resistant icon

heat resistant

stove backsplash icon

stove backsplash

sink backsplash icon

sink backsplash

exterior floor icon

exterior floor

interior floor icon

interior floor

heavy residential icon

heavy residential

light commercial icon

light commercial

interior wall icon

interior wall

exterior wall icon

exterior wall

fireplace surround icon

fireplace surround

shower floor + wall icon

shower floor + wall

* see material guidelines guide for specific requirements

description
rating
surface type
unglazed

finish type
gauged

level 3: medium

level 3: medium

level 1: slight

dimensions
" x  " x  "
water absorption
avg. 0.49%; impervious

dcof
DCOF testing is typically not performed on slate as the clefts on the tile surface provide a natural slip resistance

Pieces per sqft
8 pcs/sqft

Weight per sqft
4.4 lbs

Pieces per box
40 pcs/box

read before you buy this 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.

grout

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.

collection dimensions

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.

the elemental, durable stone

a set of slate tiles and two glasses on a table.

organic and textural

split along the natural grain to yield a cleft texture, our slate tile will age in place beautifully. initially, bits of loose shale will wear away, leaving a durable, naturally slip-resistant and tactile matte surface that catches light differently from tile to tile. organic yet geometric, our planks parlay beautifully into patterns of herringbone, chevron and long staggered runs. the larger formatted squares and rectangles bring quiet drama to small and large spaces, on their own or combined into elegant ashlar patterns. slate's natural variations of shade and texture turn even standard subway tiles into something uniquely, timelessly beautiful.

grey slate tiles stacked on top of each other on a dark grey surface.

a bathroom sink with a grey tiled backsplash and a mirror above it.

why we love slate

elemental, tactile and endlessly variable, slate is the product of the geologic forces that build mountains. as the tectonic plates buckle and fold, heat and pressure beneath the earth's crust turn mineral clay and volcanic dust into solid stone, capturing life that will eventually become fossil imprints. for us, stone–any stone–is a product to be honored for what it is: a stunning substance that has emerged from the earth–and one that will elevate every project, every space.

design: brasstacks / photo: brandon bowens

a timeless tile, 500 million years in the making

the mineral clay and volcanic dust that become slate creates broad, strong, layered sheets that allow it to be cut in a range of shapes and thicknesses. because it’s not very porous, it sheds water and resists damage from freezing, and has a naturally slip-resistant texture. its long history has made it a traditional material for cladding roofs, sidewalks and gardens where its soft blue-grey shades are a welcoming balance to forest greens, fall foliage and the browns of bark and earth. these qualities make slate tile a fantastic choice indoors, as well as in bathrooms, kitchens, entryways and mudrooms, on walls and floors, counters and hearths.

a black tiled bathroom with a glass shower.

design: brasstacks / photo: brandon bowens

inspiration