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Tilers in South Africa: Get Free Slate Tiling Quotes

Find tilers near you who lay natural slate. Compare tile installation quotes from independent tilers across South Africa. Free quote, no obligation.

  • Quotes from: tilers who lay slate
  • Area: all nine provinces
  • Cost to you: free
A tiler kneeling on a lounge floor pressing charcoal slate tiles into adhesive with a notched trowel and spacers beside him
A tiler kneeling on a lounge floor pressing charcoal slate tiles into adhesive with a notched trowel and spacers beside him

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Roofs, walls and steps: measure each face and add them up, or type the total in the form.

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Tell us what you need and where. A slate supplier, tiler, cladding installer or roofer who works in your area quotes you directly.

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Free and no obligation. By sending you agree that we may share your request with a suitable supplier or installer. See our privacy policy.

Slate is a natural stone and it needs a tiler who has worked with it before. If you want tilers for a floor, wall, patio or bathroom, SlateTiles.co.za makes it simple. Fill in one form and we pass your request to independent tilers and slate installers in your area. They quote you directly. The service is free and carries no obligation. We do not sell tiles and we do not do the tiling ourselves. We only connect you with people who do.

Who lays slate, and what they should know

Slate is not laid like ceramic. It is a fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin sheets, so each tile has a slightly uneven cleft surface. Good tilers allow for that.

Ask whether the tiler has laid the finish you chose:

  • natural cleft, with a textured face and small thickness variations
  • honed, which is smoother and more even
  • brushed or tumbled, with softened edges for a worn look

Calibrated tiles are cut to an even thickness. Uncalibrated tiles vary, so the tiler needs a thicker adhesive bed and more time to level the surface.

Slate also cuts differently from porcelain. Ask which saw the tiler uses, and how they handle edges, corners and neat cuts around door frames.

Where tile installation is needed

Most requests are for floors, but slate goes further than that. Typical jobs include:

  • kitchen, lounge and entrance hall floors
  • covered patios, stoeps and braai areas
  • bathroom and shower walls, with proper waterproofing
  • feature walls and fireplace surrounds
  • steps, landings and passages

Indoor and outdoor jobs call for different preparation. Outdoor slate needs falls so water runs away, and movement joints so the surface does not crack in summer heat or Highveld frost. Say which type of job you have, so the right tilers respond. If you are in a big city, ask for tilers who work in your suburb, since travel time affects availability.

What a good tile installation includes

A slate floor is only as good as what is under it. Before you accept a quote, check that the tiler will:

  • test that the screed or slab is flat, dry and sound
  • use a flexible, polymer-modified adhesive suited to natural stone
  • fully bed each tile so there are no hollow spots underneath
  • leave movement joints at walls and in large areas
  • seal the slate once the grout has cured

Damp screeds can push white salt bloom (efflorescence) through the stone. A careful tiler will check moisture first. Ask who is responsible for sealing, as it is often priced separately. Also ask what guarantee the tiler gives on the workmanship, and get it in writing.

What affects your quote

Tilers look at a few things before they quote. The more you tell them, the more accurate the quote will be.

  • the area in m² and the number of rooms
  • the tile size, finish and whether it is calibrated
  • the condition of the floor underneath, and whether old tiles must come up first
  • access, such as stairs, a long carry or a second storey
  • whether you supply the tiles or the tiler sources them
  • sealing, grouting and cleaning after the job

In a complex or estate, check the body corporate or HOA rules on work hours and noise.

Comparing quotes for tilers for slate tile installation

The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: exactly what is included, from surface preparation and materials to cutting, sealing and clean-up.
  • Materials: the slate, adhesive, grout, sealer or fixings allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
  • Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes, and curing or drying time before the area can be used.
  • Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.

What to include in your request

  • State the area in m² and which rooms or areas are involved.
  • Say whether you have chosen the slate or need help sourcing it.
  • Describe the floor or wall underneath, such as screed, concrete or old tiles.
  • Mention if old tiles must be lifted and removed first.
  • Add your suburb, access details and any estate or body corporate rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can any tiler lay slate?
Not always. Slate has an uneven cleft face, varies in thickness and must be sealed. Ask each tiler whether they have laid natural slate before, and ask to see photos of finished jobs. Experience with ceramic or porcelain is useful but is not the same thing.
Does SlateTiles.co.za send the tilers, or do I deal with them directly?
SlateTiles.co.za is a free quote service. We pass your request to independent tilers and installers in your area. They contact you and quote you directly. We do not employ them, supply tiles or do any work, and you are under no obligation to accept a quote.
Should I supply the slate tiles myself?
You can, but talk to the tiler first. Some prefer to order the tiles so they can check the batch, the calibration and the quantity. If you buy yourself, add an allowance for cuts and breakage and keep spare tiles from the same batch for future repairs.
How long does a slate tile installation take?
It depends on the area, the finish and the condition of the base. Uneven slate takes longer to level than porcelain. Adhesive, grout and sealer also need curing time between steps. Ask each tiler for a timeline that includes drying time before the floor is walked on.

Tilers for Slate Tile Installation by province

Tilers for Slate Tile Installation by city and town

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