Vermont slate in stoop area?

Good quality slate is not significantly less than good bluestone. At most the bluestone may be a few hundred dollars more. I personally would do bluestone.

newtomehouse

in General Discussion 8 years and 11 months ago

8

Please log in, in order to post replies!

8 replies

Newest Oldest

emmajacob | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4887 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4875 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194093"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBCD5yVVTrMuebgR3W.ItA86iwuExe/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "emma.jacob2017@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 13:26:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(21) "Emma jacob Emma jacob"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194093)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’d like to install Vermont slate as the flooring for my brownstone’s front stoop patio area. Our contractor advises against it, saying that it’ll crack during the winter or if hit with a shovel. Our architects disagree. Anyone have advice on using VT slate outdoors in NYC’s harsh environment?

EJR | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4886 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4885 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "79362"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B.h6vu7ImM77fV6j0TvRwlieo3mAr4/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "ejr"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "ejrothman@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(46) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/ejr2/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:30:58"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "EJR"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(79362)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Take a walk through Brooklyn Heights and look at the condition of the few remaining slate sidewalks. They are heavily cracked from tree roots and wear and tear. Perhaps there are various types of slate with different levels of durability. In general, however, slate is not a particularly durable material and I would not install it in a heavily trafficked area. I just redid my front stoop patio area with pavers (http://nicolock.com/) in a herringbone pattern and it looks great. Perhaps consider that as an alternative. Perhaps there are also engineered products that have a slate look but with added durability.

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4882 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4888 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

There are plenty of stone alternatives with the look of slate. Slate itself isn’t used in most Brooklyn sidewalks

agdipierro

in General Discussion 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5097 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193981"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjDTuwCj4tgSBxiRfyvL5BfmyXSBWO."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "alyssagdipierro@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 12:51:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(31) "Alyssa diPierro Alyssa diPierro"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193981)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It really depends on the size and thickness. Trust your architect!

emmajacob | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4882 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4853 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194093"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBCD5yVVTrMuebgR3W.ItA86iwuExe/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "emma.jacob2017@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 13:26:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(21) "Emma jacob Emma jacob"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194093)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

@Ed_Kopel_Arch: They haven’t used VT slate before in the front area, but feel that it’s OK for outdoor use. Any sense of how thick the slate should be?

agdipierro

in General Discussion 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#5098 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4894 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193981"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BjDTuwCj4tgSBxiRfyvL5BfmyXSBWO."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "agdipierro"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "alyssagdipierro@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 12:51:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(31) "Alyssa diPierro Alyssa diPierro"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193981)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

2″

dorkofwindsor | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4882 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5096 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176774"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bov.472kQmY8OGlKN.dDXa5nt5gnOG0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "dorkofwindsor@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/dorkofwindsor/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176774)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I can see where your contractor is coming from for the most part. Vermont Slate, however, does have a low water absorption rate, which is what you want so the freeze thaw cycle does not crack / chip it. However, with today’s porcelain tiles (esp in a low traffic area such as under stoop and setback area in front yard) it would seem to me to be a serious viable alternative – google porcelain pavers that look like slate. Both need a crack isolation membrane, both should be applied with thinset. To me its simply about cost and preference. [Slate-look-porcelain-stoneware-floor-tiles-european-eco-label-51092-6039645](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:3mLC:slatelookporcelainstonewarefloortileseuropeanecolabel510926039645.jpg.jpg)

emmajacob | 8 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4894 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4853 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194093"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBCD5yVVTrMuebgR3W.ItA86iwuExe/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "emmajacob"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "emma.jacob2017@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 13:26:06"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(21) "Emma jacob Emma jacob"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194093)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks, all. My contractor wants us to use bluestone, which is significantly more expensive than VT slate (anyone have thoughts on that?). I’ll look into some alternatives, but do feel aesthetically wedded to dark slate. Thank you!