While slate is a very hard flooring material, it is also quite brittle, so if something heavy is dropped on it, the tile is likely to break. Because slate is such a hard flooring material, it can be painful to stand on for long periods of time.
How hard is it to break slate?
Slate can be cut or broken up into smaller pieces for use anywhere. While granite and marble tend to shatter when you break them, if you take a few precautions with slate, you can break it into roughly the size you want without fear of fracturing the stone.
Is slate strong or weak?
Natural slate is used by building professionals as a result of its beauty and durability. Slate is incredibly durable and can last several hundred years, often with little or no maintenance. Natural slate is also fire resistant and energy efficient.