![]() Every order comes with fast delivery, insured shipments, and easy returns. Find Beautiful Natural Stone Tile at Īt, we have a beautiful selection of natural stone tiles that we’re sure you’ll love. Of course, it’s also an option to select a thinner tile, but a thicker tile is much more resistant to cracking and chipping, especially in high-traffic areas. A 12-inch square tile that’s ½” thick can weigh nearly seven pounds, so if you’re planning to handle large quantities of tile, it’s a great idea to have a friend or two to help you out. Natural Stone Tiles Are Heavyįinally, before you install your own natural stone tile, take its weight into account. In the long run, choosing natural stone may take a larger initial investment, but it’s cheaper than purchasing flooring that you’ll need to consistently replace every five to ten years. ![]() No wonder it’s been widely used as a building material for hundreds of years! Sometimes, natural stone even outlasts the buildings it’s installed in. It can last 100 years or more when it’s properly installed and maintained! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that natural stone has a long lifespan. That’s part of the reason that porcelain and ceramic tile often mimic the look of natural stone–so that homeowners can get the look they want for less. You’re likely already aware of this, but natural stone tile tends to cost much more than porcelain and ceramic. Natural Stone Costs More, But It Lasts Longer Meanwhile, granite is less porous and is an excellent choice for any area in the house.Īnd while not all natural stone is suited for outdoor use, slate can handle temperature changes easily, so it works well for patios and other outdoor projects. There are different recommended uses for various types of natural stone.įor instance, porous stones like limestone, travertine, and marble aren’t the best choices for kitchen countertops because they’re more likely to stain and harbor bacteria from food. Not All Types of Natural Stone Work in Every Room Extra tile is also great to save so that you’ll have matching tile for repairs later on. This way, you can weed out any tiles that don’t look quite right. We always recommend buying 10% more tile than you need for a project, but when working with natural stone, you may want to buy a little extra on top of the additional 10%. ![]() You’ll see variances in color and veining in all types of natural stone. There Is Variance Between Tilesīecause natural stone is, of course, natural (and not man-made), no two tiles will look exactly alike. You’ll need to reseal your natural stone tile every year or two to maintain it and protect your investment. However, sealing isn’t just a one-time task. You also need to be aware that natural stone tiles are porous and thus can stain pretty easily, so after you install them, you’ll also need to seal them.Ī good sealer covers the tile’s pores, preventing stains, and also makes your floor easier to clean. Without the proper floor structure, you may be looking at an expensive floor replacement in the future. In other words, you need two layers of structural wood panel on your floor if you’re using a backer board as the substrate for your natural stone tile. It requires a tongue and groove plywood subfloor, plus a plywood underlayment as the second layer. In fact, the 2015 Tile Council of North America Handbook only has one approved method for natural stone tile installation. Because natural stone isn’t as strong as these other materials, it requires a floor system that’s twice as stiff. Natural stone tile cannot be installed on top of a wood-framed floor in the same way that porcelain and ceramic can. When installing natural stone tile, the required mortar coverage is 95% for both wet and dry interior and exterior areas. ![]() If you’ve ever worked with porcelain or ceramic tile, then you probably know that you need 80% mortar coverage in dry areas. Cutting natural stone with a dry saw creates toxic silica dust that can cause lung damage. You’ll also need specialized tools, such as a wet tile saw. Stone tile installation isn’t ideal for beginners it’s better for those who have some prior knowledge, skill, and experience with tile.īecause of the preparation and longer installation process involved, you’ll need to plan for at least a few days to complete this project. Installing natural stone isn’t the same as installing porcelain or ceramic–it’s a more involved and complex process.īut don’t let that scare you! As long as you prepare accordingly, you can still achieve a picture-perfect finish with your new natural stone tile. If you plan to install natural stone tile yourself rather than hiring a professional, there are several things you need to be aware of. Get The Look: Calacatta Gold 6x12 Subway Tile
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