Slate, being of laminar construction, has the ability to be processed into thin sheets and still maintain serviceable strength and rigidity. This property makes slate the only dimension stone having been used for blackboards and roofing shingles. It was also traditionally used as the cloth-covered playing surface of billiards tables. 

Being of the softer varieties of dimension stone types, slate materials is not known for particularly high abrasion or scratch resistance, yet it is used as a flooring and countertop product for aesthetic purposes.