For several years, homeowners have realized how valuable stone can be as a building and decorating material. From granite table tops and window sills to countertops and hearthstones, they add granite, slate or marble features into their homes. All are beautiful, but even more important, they are durable. Slate and granite are often used as roofing materials too, following the example of some slate roofs that have lasted for hundreds of years. And another trend in recent years has been the increasing use of flooring slate.

Slate is formed under extreme pressure, so the molecules of the stone develop in parallel lines. This means both slate floor tile and roofing slate tile products are easy to produce because the rock splits readily into flat chunks. Some slate fades very little, while other types have a higher percentage of iron and calcium, and will therefore weather and turn slightly brown over time. Unlike the wide range of granite colors, slate is generally restricted to black, and shades of green, brown and red. But that isn’t really a problem for slate flooring, since homeowners don’t want their floors drawing all the attention, and are not likely to want elaborate colors.

The natural flat split of slate can be refined and shaped, so flooring slate can appear differently depending on the context. If slate chunks are left unpolished and slightly rough, they can be used as flagstones in a yard or garden. A slate tile wall, used for example in a bathroom, may use tiles cut uniformly, with sharp edges to create tight joints and the surface honed flat and smooth. In the same way, slate flooring tiles might be cut and placed uniformly, or they might remain in variable shapes and fitted together to form a pattern.

In these times, one advantage of flooring slate is its environmentally friendly nature. As a natural stone product, it doesn’t require either frequent repair or replacement. Slate flooring and roofing tiles both have a considerable life expectancy if maintained to a certain minimum standard. This fire-resistant stone can help make the home safer, increasing the value of the residence and potentially reducing insurance costs. As a clean, durable and naturally beautiful material, slate can be an environmentally friendly choice during renovations or in home construction.

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Lighting design requires knowledge of certain elements of lighting. Whether it is Vaxcel lighting, pendant lighting, spot lighting, or floor mount lighting the quality of light will be maintained by numerous variables. making the right atmosphere will mean using these factors in a masterful way. These factors, include the shape of the light, the volume of light, the temperature of the light, the direction and the diffusion.

Shaping light is an integral aspect of lighting design. Walk into any fancy restaurant and there will be some noticeable highlights, some areas of contrast and a balance around the dining room that allows for intimacy and functionality. Like a stage production with spot light, colored lights and other effects, shaping the light, allows the light designer to bring the eye toward, or away from aspects in a room. The light, can create a feeling of depth on a flat wall by creating area of light and dark. The light can be placed in such a way as to highlight a beautiful vase or painting. It can be used to mask a work area by placing lights directed outward right in front. It is human nature to not look directly into lights, and the iris shifts making darkness appear behind the brightness, like looking out a window in a well lit room makes the evening appear darker.

The amount of light is similar to the shaping of light. This envisioning an area and determining how much light is to be used to illuminate a room. Often people prefer a light-filled room by placing lamps in every corner, and overheads through out a room. The amount of light used determines the mood of a space. Hollywood can offer a simple tip regarding amount of light; dramatic lighting has high contrast ratios, and comedy lighting tends to be much more uniform. A lighting designer worth their salt will design a space or house with varying ranges of contrast ratio, providing unique feelings for each room.

The temperature of a light whether it is heat or coolness allows the quality of its color. The color temperature creates a mood of its own. The sun is hot, but in comparison to tungsten lighting it is a cool blue. Tungsten lights are also designed to offer different light quality. Fluorescent lights may put forth a greenish hue within a space. The best light design can be ruined by the improper bulb.

Diffusion is part of the dynamic of shaping the light. Light will move where it is pointed. Some bulbs and fixtures focus the direction, others attempt to redirect the light. Diffusion is a way of dispersing the direction of light, softening the shadows that it casts. A well designed restaurant may try to soften the light at a table to avoid the harsh unflattering shadows cast by bright lights overhead. This is sometimes down by pacing a stronger light directly towards the table that will bounce indirect diffused light onto the patrons sitting around the table, casting them in flattering light. Light, can create a variety of moods and textures in any given room.