Frequently asked questions about Slate-Lite
If you have further questions that cannot be answered with our FAQ, please contact us:
What is Slate-Lite?
This is where the product was developed and where the entire business process takes place.
Our thin stone veneers are produced in India and Africa.
Of course, we take great care to ensure that good working conditions prevail at our production sites and that safety regulations are observed.
The health of our employees is particularly important to us: all employees in our factories must wear appropriate protective clothing - depending on the work process, these include mouth protection, ear protection, safety glasses, gloves and safety shoes.
The processing of natural stone normally results in a high level of fine dust pollution. However, Slate-Lite's innovative manufacturing method can drastically reduce this: Since the solid slate blocks are not chiselled or split during the production of Slate-Lite, but are removed layer by layer, there is no exposure of our employees to fine dust during this work step.
The process steps of sawing and grinding the slate blocks are carried out in our factories in conjunction with water and any dust that occurs is thus bound directly. The risk of health hazards due to silicosis, also known as stone dust lung, is therefore excluded in the Slate-Lite production process!
We have developed a revolutionary process in which many paper-thin layers of stone can be extracted from solid blocks of stone.
The stone layers are not split off as with conventional stone slabs, but are removed with a resin.
Each of these slabs is unique and is produced by hand in over 12 processing steps.
The look and feel of the solid stone slab are retained.
Our standard sizes for Slate-Lite are:
122 x 61 cm / 24 x 48 in (approx. 0,74 m²),
240 x 120 cm / 47.24 x 94.48 in (approx. 2,88 m²),
280 x 120 cm / 47.24 x 110.23 in (approx. 3,36 m²).
Special formats or individual cuts to desired dimensions are possible directly in the online shop.
Our thin stone veneers usually have the following thicknesses:
Slate-Lite: approx. 1.5 - 2.5 mm
UltraThin eco+: approx. 0.5 - 0.9 mm
Translucent: approx. 1.5 - 2.5 mm
Please note that due to the natural stone surface, slight variations in thickness are sometimes possible.
Slate-Lite:
This thin real stone decor with 100% natural stone surface is extremely robust thanks to its fibreglass backing and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Slate-Lite is extremely light and has a total thickness of only approx. 1.5 mm.
Use the stone veneers both indoors and outdoors for wall cladding, flooring or as a tile backsplash in your kitchen. Even unusual living environments made of stone in wet areas such as bathrooms or showers are possible with Slate-Lite!
UltraThin eco+ is our 3D mouldable stone veneer:
The 3D flexibility is achieved by using a cotton mat as a substrate. Nevertheless, UltraThin eco+ also has a 100% natural stone surface!
Thanks to CO2-saving transport due to its light weight and low consumption of natural stone resources, UltraThin eco+ is particularly environmentally friendly.
The natural mat on the back of UltraThin eco+ allows for easy processing and opens up many new possibilities in interior design and furniture construction. With UltraThin eco+ you can even master complex special shapes and difficult edge areas without any problems!
The processing of UltraThin eco+ is also a unique feature: Despite the natural stone surface, you can even cut UltraThin eco+ to size with scissors or a cutter knife!
Translucent is our translucent stone veneer:
Like all stone veneers from Slate-Lite, our Translucent product range has a 100% natural stone surface with a low weight and an overall thickness of just approx. 1.5 mm.
The special feature of Translucent: the transparent backing material on the back of the stone leaf.
This translucent backside creates unique light effects with a light source behind the stone leaf, so that extraordinary backlit objects can be created!
Depending on the type of light, different effects are achieved: you can use cold, warm or even coloured light to create your individual stone light object.
Let the world shine in a new light and discover how easy it is to bring incredible eye-catchers into your home with backlit stone!
Our prices depend on the respective stone type and size of the decor.
You can find all prices conveniently and clearly directly at your desired decor in our online shop.
In our "How to Slate-Lite" workshop, you will receive a detailed product overview, information on the material properties as well as extensive processing training in theory and practice.
Dates usually take place once a quarter, training location is in 53359 Rheinbach/Germany.
Note: We also offer workshops in Florida/USA and Barcelona/Spain.
For more information, please contact us!
The following services are included in the Slate-Lite training:
- Interactive training
- Theory: Detailed product overview and information on material properties
- Practice: Teaching of the most important work steps and special features during processing
- Catering throughout the day
- Exchange on industry-specific questions
- Certificate for successful participation
The next training date as well as the registration for the workshop can be found here: [Registration Workshop]
Slate-Lite is harmless to health!
Slate-Lite meets the highest quality requirements, also in terms of health.
The best example: our recent VOC emission test was passed with flying colours (result class A+).
High VOC values are a health hazard: odour nuisance, irritation and symptoms in humans that cannot be directly attributed to an illness are possible consequences for personal health.
We tested the coloured slate decor Falling Leaves as an example - due to the extremely low emissions measured, the test institute was even able to stop the test chamber test prematurely.
The coloured slate decors from Slate-Lite impress with a rather smoother surface with different and constantly changing patterns and structures.
The limestone decors from Slate-Lite impress with a rather smoother surface with relatively homogeneous patterns and structures.
Please note that the limestone decors are not suitable for use in outdoor and wet areas!
The mica slate decors from Slate-Lite have a somewhat rougher surface with mainly homogeneous patterns and structures. A special eye-catching effect is the slight sheen of the material, which is created by the natural quartzite content in the stone.
The marble decors from Slate-Lite impress with their slatted surface with different and constantly changing patterns and structures. Strong grains and elevations in the surface are a typical feature of slate-lite marble.
Note: The marble decors can sometimes be a few millimetres thicker than other decors.
The sandstone decors from Slate-Lite stand out due to their slightly rough, rather grainy surface with slight differences in height.
The Art Decors from Slate-Lite combine the advantages of our real stone veneers, such as weight, processing and flexibility, with extraordinary surfaces in a metal look.
The Art Decors with concrete look combine the easy and convenient processing of all Slate-Lite products with a modern and clean look of a concrete surface.
The combination of fibreglass and coloured resin looks like commercial concrete with fine-pored structures in the smooth surface.
Stoneboards: Even more stable and faster to install:
With our new Stoneboards, you can now lay Slate-Lite even faster and easier:
Thanks to the thicker overall thickness of approx. 3-4 mm, you can not only lay our large formats of 240 x 120 cm (94,48 x 47,24 in) with a single person, even spot gluing is possible!
Due to their size and properties, the
Stoneboards
are ideal for all applications in the kitchen or bathroom.
Artdecors Lite include both concrete-look decors and metal-look decors in colourful colourways.
The concrete decors are a combination of fibreglass with coloured resin on the front, while the metal decors are extremely thin stone veneers that have been coated with metal paints as a final finish.
With both finishes, you benefit not only from the low overall weight, but also from the easy processing and flexibility of the material.
Our Art decors are suitable for a wide range of interior applications such as modern wall design and unusual furniture construction.
Weathering results in hardly any or minimal uniform
uniform deviations in the colouring.
Test method:
Resistance to UV radiation (UV-B)
according to DIN EN ISO 11507
Test cycle: 4 hours; irradiation 50°C / 4 hours; thawing 40°C
Test duration: 1,000 hours with evaluation after 250h, 500h, 750h
Evaluation: colour change according to DIN EN ISO 11664-4, Sp62 Fa. X-Rite
Measuring geometry: d/8°, illuminant: D65
The emission rates on the transport routes are many times lower with Slate-Lite than with conventional stone slabs, which leads to a significantly more positive eco-balance.
The majority of our goods are shipped to our central warehouse by sea. With pollutant emissions of approx. 15.1 grams of CO2 per kilometre (source: NABU), this results in the following example calculation of one of our containers:
(comparative calculation: sea route India/Germany. granite slab vs. Slate-lite)
Transport route | Amount of material (m²) | Load (kg) | |
Slate-Lite | sea container 40' | 10.637 m² | 26.500 kg |
Granite slab (2 cm) | sea container 40' | 441 m² | 26.500 kg |
CO2-emissions (g) | CO2-emissions / m² | ||
Slate-Lite | 7.500 km | 3.001.125,00 | 282,12 g |
Granite slab (2 cm) | 7.500 km | 3.001.125,00 | 6.806,27 g |
One sheet of Slate-Lite therefore produces approx. 95% less CO2 than a conventional thick stone slab during transport!
Furthermore, the manufacturing process we have developed also conserves natural resources in the quarries: From the stone material of a single conventional stone slab of 2 cm, we obtain 200 - 400 slabs of Slate-Lite, depending on the decor!
Of course, we are also relying more and more on recyclable solutions for our packaging, so that we have already been able to reduce the amount of plastic waste many times over in recent years. And of course we will continue to work on this path in the future!
No special tools are required for the processing of Slate-Lite!
You can cut our real stone decors with commercially available tools for wood or stone. We recommend an immersion circular saw with a wood or plastic saw blade with the finest possible teeth. For smaller cut-outs, an oscillating tool/multitool is particularly suitable.
Our UltraThin eco+ product range can even be cut with scissors or a cutter due to its cotton underside.
Our real stone decors are very easy and uncomplicated to install. For this purpose, the appropriate adhesive is spread on the surface to be processed or on the back of the stone sheet and the Slate-Lite sheet is then pressed on at the desired location.
We have different adhesives in our range depending on where they are to be applied. Please refer to the respective data sheets of the adhesives for further information on processing and application.
In general, Slate-Lite is best applied with polymer adhesives.
The adhesive products in our range are:
Slate-Lite Extreme: Bath & Exterior: All interior & exterior bonding of Slate-Lite.
Translucent Crystal Clear: Transparent adhesive for Translucent
UltraThin eco+ Contact Adhesive: Suitable for all UltraThin eco+ bonding applications
Spray contact adhesive for grouting.
We generally cannot recommend other tile adhesives for the time being, as permanent bonding cannot be guaranteed here.
More detailed instructions for processing Slate-Lite can be found in our shop in the "Processing" section and in the respective data sheets.
Processing instructions for Slate-Lite as PDF: [DOWNLOAD]
Processing instructions for UltraThin eco+ as PDF: [DOWNLOAD]
Processing instructions for Translucent as PDF: [DOWNLOAD]
We offer various protective products for different mounting locations in our range.
These ensure the easiest possible cleaning and longest possible durability of the real stone surface.
Slate-Lite Special Impregnator: walls with low stress, ceilings.
Slate-Lite Special Protection: Shower & Bath, Medium Duty Walls, Exteriors
Slate-Lite Extreme Protection: high traffic walls such as backsplash, kitchen and flooring. Also in shower & bath.
Slate-Lite 2K Coating Furniture: Furniture Construction
You can find a complete list of all local trade partners directly here in the shop in the category "Dealers / Processors".
You can also order conveniently in our online shop.
We ship worldwide!
You are welcome to visit us live on site in our showroom in 53359 Rheinbach/Germany.
Qualified employees will advise you there on all your questions about Slate-Lite.
Or visit us in Florida/USA or Barcelona/Spain.
You can also find certified Slate-Lite partners in your area via the dealers/processors page!