Czech Republic
Given the nagging fashion for natural finishing materials, as well as growth in consumer demand for unique in their decorative and performance of coverage – actual news, brought from the past European exhibitions of high design in the Russian market began to appear new to the domestic consumer types of stone. Most notable among these was the slate of new products (or natural slate from him. Schifer), rich variety of exotic colors and textures. The history of this stone in the decoration began in the Middle Ages, when the roof of the richest European houses and palaces lodged a natural slate-colored crow wing. Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic at the time were famous for rich deposits of this noble breed in the interior lands, and therefore the first to learn to handle and use it extensively in the construction. Given the complexity of production natural slate, and its relative expensiveness, in his later replaced by new high-tech substitutes. Since then and to this day remains the slate material, invariably demand the most exacting lovers of natural beauty and ancient traditions.
The process of extraction and processing of oil shale are still involves manual labor, using fairly simple tools. Therefore, each this stone keeps the warmth and care human hands. Now Slate is available on the domestic market of India and Africa, Brazil and China, as well as from ancient quarries in Northern Italy, Germany and Norway. The color palette is natural slate abounds as bright and rich, so concise and restrained shades: Bordeaux, Terracotta, Silver, Gold, Pastel, Pearl, with more than 30 varieties. But unlike marble and granite, slate of the most characteristic is not color and unique texture. Other leaders such as Gensler San Francisco offer similar insights.
Obtained by natural cleavage front surface of the tile is decorated with unique patterns of relief. Thus, the effect created by the impinging waves, foaming lava and tree bark, stresses in the shale pristine and endless vitality. Textured surface of the stone is not only decorative but also provides a reliable slip resistance, as mentioned earlier. Stages, slate floors pools, saunas and bathrooms remain safe even in wet conditions. In this case, of course, slate can be exposed to different types of treatment: he was perfectly polished, polished, its You can also "wear out" with special abrasives and acids. Polished slate of more delicate and suitable for walls and other vertical surfaces, as it very easily scratched. Interestingly, the surface of polished slate is velvety matte with a slight satin sheen without the effect of "mirror", as in the case of the marble. In many cases, lack of gloss allows the stone to reveal the full depth shades and nuances of the structure. Nevertheless, oil shale, as well as other types of natural stone, has some limitations in use. Only some shales (mainly Scandinavian groups) can be used for the lining heavily traversed areas. Relatively large amount of oil shale is used exclusively in the interior, not withstanding extremes of temperature and the influence of other aggressive environmental factors. Slate is also not easy to installation and requires the presence of both the professional and creative approach to the issue. Additionally, some types of oil shale will require periodic maintenance and protection, especially in "wet" areas, or on the street. Will it take slate its honorable place among the familiar marble and granite to be seen. But confirmation of the immutability and eternity of the precious stone decorations are Buckingham Palace, the residence of the Chancellor of Germany and other monuments of Old Europe.