When choosing natural stone tiles for your home refurbishment or renovation project, it is important to consider the many different finishes, effects and processes which can be applied to stone tiles. You will frequently find many natural stone tiles listed with various descriptive phrases which can easily cause confusion for someone with only a basic knowledge of the materials. Detailed below is a glossary of the main industry terms used to describe the different processes applied to stone tile products.

Antique(d) - A word used to describe various ageing and distressing methods applied to give a material a weathered effect. This method can often make the material more fitting to traditional surroundings. In different countries different methods are used to achieve the antique effect, therefore the appearance of antiqued stone will vary from source to source.

Brushed - Similar to antique, brushed stone has only slight surface texture and soft, rounded edges.

Calibrated - When the stone has been manufactured to a uniform depth.

Chipped - When the stone has been worked (usually by hand) to give the edges a rough "chipped" appearance.

Filled - Filling stone is a process applied predominantly to Travertine. This is when the small holes on the surface of the material are filled with a similar coloured resin.

Honed - When the stone tiles are machine worked to give a smooth flat surface to the face of the stone.

Polished - When the stone tiles are worked to achieve a high gloss finish to the face of a tile.

Riven - When blocks of stone are split to achieve an un-even, natural finish to the face of the stone. This is particularly common with sandstone and can provide a more traditional feel.

Tumbled - A process which provides round soft edges to a tile. This is a common feature of Travertine.

Uncalibrated - When there is a slight variation in the depth of a tile.

Veining - A term used to describe natural mineral lines found in stone.

Any natural stone tile project begins with stone tile selection. Understanding the qualities of each type of stone can help you make this decision. Personal preference is a large part of this process but, when considering budgetary concerns, remember that price is determined more by availability and supply than a particular stone's quality or durability.

Types of Natural Stone

Granite Stone Tiles—Granite is probably the most popular stone tile because it combines good durability and bolder colors and textures at an affordable price. Few natural stones are able to offer this kind of quality and practicality.

Marble Stone Tiles—As great as granite is, marble is still the unparalleled champion of stone texture and appearance. Many forms of marble have contrasting vein and base colors that make this stone synonymous with high-end, chic décor. Keep in mind, though, that not only is marble more expensive, it's also less durable.

Travertine Stone Tiles—You may love the look and texture of natural stone, but this doesn't always mean you want your stone tile to jump out at you. Travertine is dominated by beige, neutral colors. Travertine is part of the limestone family, making it durable but also more susceptible to staining than granite or marble.

Slate Stone Tiles—A good durable natural stone, slate is also extremely versatile. You can find almost any color or texturing from slate. This also makes it a great choice for accent installations. In your kitchen, for example, you might have a granite countertop and a slate wall tile.

Sandstone Stone Tiles—Another stone susceptible to staining, sandstone's softer texture and beautiful appearance still make it a reasonable and popular choice if you're willing to take care of it.

You might read about these natural stones and think you're set, but once you talk to your service professional and actually see and touch your options, you might change your mind.

Natural Stone Finishes

Nearly as important as the stone itself, there are just as many finishes for stone tiling project. Honed and polished are among the more popular and will give your natural stone tile a smooth, glossy look. Other finishes also include aged, filled, rubbed, brushed, antiqued, sandblasted, tooled, broached, droved, and sparrow-pecked. Each type of stone can also be put into a tumbling machine to create a softer, more rustic texture.

Start with the surface that will be under your floor. On new construction, a subfloor of concrete may be poured, providing a level surface. On a remodeled floor, the installation of a water-resistant backer board is necessary.

Step 2

Figure out the total amount of natural stone tiles you will need by measuring the length and width of the floor and adding 15 percent more to allow for cutting and fitting pieces around the edges.

Step 3

Purchase mortar or grout made specifically for the natural stone flooring you choose. Speak with the customer service person in the tile department when buying. Because different stones retain moisture at various rates and because the surfaces vary from rough with holes to glass smooth, it is very important to choose the correct mortar.

Step 4

Begin laying square tiles in the middle of your room and working outwards. Use straight chalk lines on the subfloor as guides. However, if you are remodeling a floor and the walls are not perfectly straight, consider which part of your floor needs a straight edge and begin tiling there. Keep in mind that the last tiles will be uneven so plan to install them in a place not frequently seen.

Step 5

Lay rough-cut, natural shaped flooring stones by placing each one next to the prior one and fitting smaller stones in-between. The idea here is to place the larger flagstones first for an ordered look and use the smaller ones in a consistent manner. Use a hammer and chisel to break off smaller stones for filling.

Step 6

Seal your natural stone floor if it has a porous surface. Buffed marble and granite need no sealant but flagstone and other porous surfaces require the application of a sealant. Because tiny holes exist in natural stone, they can absorb stains, making it difficult to clean. Sealant provides a clear water-resistant protection that repels stains.

When purchasing stone tiles there are many different points to consider. The first would be the size of the tile. Stone tiles come in a large multitude of sizes and this is one of the first things you should consider, what are the ideal sizes for your area and do you require just one size of stone tile or several in order to create a pattern. Also consider the depth of the stone tiles you are looking to purchase. The depths of stone tiles commonly vary between 10mm and 20mm and normally the larger the size, the thicker the depth.

When considering the type of material to use, as well as thinking about the kind of look you are aiming to achieve it is important to consider the practicalities in regards to the environment the stone tiles are being used in. Do you require a hard wearing tile, a tile which can withstand frost and do you require a tile which can be cut easily enough for awkward laying areas.

Another important aspect to consider is the finish of the material. There are two common finishes for stone tiles, polished and natural. A polished effect gives the tile a high-gloss reflective finish and this is common in marble and granite stone tiles. A natural finish gives the tile a matt, non-glossy finish, this is common in limestone tiles and also makes the tiles less slippery under foot compared to polished material. Most stone tiles have a honed finish which is a term used to describe how the face of stone is ground down to the same level, where as some stone tiles (often slates and sandstone) can have a riven finish which is where the surface is left with its natural riven texture. The edges of natural stone tiles can be sharp or softened, again this varies with the material.

When dealing with a natural stone vendor, it is important to ensure that the stone tiles you purchase all come from the same quarried batch, if they are all to be laid in the same area. It also a good idea to check the companies back ground and history in order to avoid dealing with a business which may not supply with you with consistently high quality material.