Photo/Tim CarterThis roughed-in concrete hearth is ready for some thin slate or tile. Q. ... If you try to solve your dilemma with a hearth pad, you may have a problem finding one the right size.

A. The slate tiles you saw as a child did a great job of fooling you. Although they appeared random in size and placement, they were not. If you were to go back to your childhood home and study ...

The initial costs of a slate roof tile compared to other types of roofing may seem intimidating, but slate’s quality pays off in the long run—consider it an investment with numerous benefits ...