Hi--well do I remember your inventive front yard that seemed to involve so much excavation--glad to hear its doing well and I'd enjoy seeing a picture. As to slate...I happen to work in a rural Virginia county that is world-famous for its slate quarries--lots of houses with slate roofs, etc. I've never worked with it and don't have the answer to the slate driveway question, but I bet I can get a couple of sound opinions for you if nobody here knows. People use it for patio flooring all the time, but my memory is that it becomes quite slippery when wet. So my response isn't particularly helpful, but I'm looking forward to all your hard work on the back yard and treatises thereupon!

Hello James - good to hear from you again!

Slate is brittle and unless you use very thick pavers (big $$), is liable to shatter and break with the weight of most cars.

While you express a dislike for "stamped" concrete, I'd suggest you investigate further and really a consider a pre-fab concrete paver called "hydraslab" manufactured by I believe Abbotsford (if memory serves - it's getting questionable these days). I've used these in a number of jobs and they are really a high quality product with a great appearance. They are available in a number of colors and finishes, including one with the textured appearance of cut slate. Yes, they do not have the fine degree and subtlety of colors that natural stone does, but their durablilty is far superior. It would be a shame to invest the type of dollars into this project using natural slate would demand, ony to have the work deteriorate quickly with use. Check out the stoneyard across from the Fremont Fred Meyer (can't remember their name either - it's getting bad!!) - they carry them.

No, Seattle is not considered a "freeze/thaw" zone but with this type of application and projected use, I'd certainly consider setting whatever material you finally choose in mortar to prevent the possible shifting of a dry set that would most likely occur with the weight of a car on it, even periodically.

Are you planning to park on it at all? Or only have it available for resale value? If you do not plan to park on it yourself, do what you like with slate. If the next guy is not happy with the slate, then he can replace it.

If you plan to park on it, of course, then you do need to consider different options.

Slate is definately way too slippery when wet; I always steer my clients away from it. I imagine that in Seattle moss growing would make it even worse. Also, if there were ever going to be a car on it, it would need to be wet set on a concrete slab. All in all, I would recomend some other paving material.

Ditto on nixing the slate -- too brittle (it also scales -- layers "peel" off, and it cleaves and splits). Around here, a veritable "freeze thaw" zone, granite cobbles -- rectangular or square hewn blocks of rough stone -- are popular as driveway material. If properly set, they are practically "forever" and add a nice, formal or semiformal appearance to an entry. And their rough surface provides good traction.

Thanks to all who responded:

Shady: Nice to hear from you again! It's been a long time. I'm flattered you remember that last project. Right now it's a bit "flat," i.e. annual beds are just about "between seasons," an experiment with sabo palms in the planters failed miserably after a freeze (they were perfect in the summer though), and I yanked the roses and still haven't decided what do with the space. (I'm thinking rhodies -- a bit "safe" but appropriate to the house and region.) The hedges have grown-in well, though, and the hardscape is doing great -- no shifting, no settling, and irrigation and electricity still working well. I'll send you a pic or two when the "fluff" comes back in a month or so. Thanks again for your offer for more information, but I think my question has been answered. Nice to hear from you.

GardenGal!!! How are you?! Thanks much for the information. Sounds like your business is doing well. Glad to hear it. Thanks for your feedback. Helpful as always. I'll get down to Fremont to check it out. Still at the same nursery?

Gottagarden: I may park on it a few times a year, mostly to keep the car off the street during extended travel. Otherwise, you make a good point. Thanks for the feadback.

Jeremy: I appreciate your input as well. Right now I'm looking at granite pavers/cobbles. I really like formality and elegance, and despite the fact my house is the size of a matchbook, I'm trying to pretend it's not. LOL -- I'll probably end up with the "gatehouse of an estate" look (in my oh-so-not-an-estate-neighborhood.)

Cady: Good to hear from you as well. Thanks for the feedback. Like I said above, I'll have to move on to a different material. Actually, sometimes I get caught up in existing hardscape and can't see beyond it. That, and the fact that I *always* get grandiose, overblown and over-budget ideas for my tiny place, makes me think I'll need to remove everything, including the carport and fencing, and start a new design after I stare at it a while. (My accountant might be happier with that, too.)

Thanks again for the feedback, guys. I'll let you know how it goes.

One of my friends has a slate driveway (and patio and walk to the front steps). It is set in concrete. I am guessing it is 20 years old. She has a character house (the one everyone looks at when driving down the street).

The "mortar" between the slate is cracked in several places and one piece of slate is missing--I assume it cracked out of the mortar years ago.

Even so, it still looks charming.