A guide to natural stone tiles

Natural stone has been used for flooring for thousands of years in public buildings, places of worship, royal residences, and stately homes due to its beauty and durability. Typical examples of natural stone are limestone, granite, slate and marble, and all of them are carved from rock that has been extracted from a quarry. Extracting and then carving stone is a labor-intensive process that has been done by hand for thousands of years. More recent technological advances have meant that the process can be mechanized with the use of advanced tools and the consequence of this is that natural stone tiles have become substantially more affordable. Although there are still traditional artisans who cut and polish the stone by hand.

Natural stone quarries, both ancient and modern, exist in many parts of the world, from Europe to India, Asia and North America.

How are natural stone tiles made?

Large sections of rock are first cut out of the ground using explosives or diamond cutting equipment, depending on the type and hardness of the rock and its physical location. These large blocks of rock are then cut into smaller slabs of varying thicknesses with high-speed saws, and the slabs are polished with machines to give different textures to the surfaces, from rough to ultra-smooth. Each slab is then cut into a range of smaller sizes suitable for wall and floor coverings using special water-cooled saws and given a final polish before being ready for the consumer.

Why choose natural stone?

Natural stone tiles come in a wide range of styles, colors and finishes, from sleek, contemporary limestone to classic marble or rustic slate, so they can fit into any type of interior. They are beautiful and unique because, as a natural material, no two tiles are identical, so your room can have its own identity. Finishing is particularly important because you can create a very different look even with the same stone from the same quarry.

Typical types of natural stone used for tiles

Stink It is a type of limestone with a honeycomb structure and many superficial indentations. These teeth can be filled with resin for a smooth surface or left unfilled for a textured surface. Colors range from pale creams to dark reddish browns.

Limestone It forms when seashells settle on sediment, which over time hardens into sedimentary rock, making fossilized shells a typical feature. Colors range from cream to golden brown.

granite it is an igneous rock, so it is a very hard stone that makes it extremely durable; It comes in a huge range of vivid colors and is commonly used around the home for kitchen countertops and flooring.

Marble it is familiar to all of us because of the ancient classical buildings of Rome and Greece and the many famous Italian sculptures. It comes in a variety of different colors, usually with contrasting veining, but the darker marbles are not suitable for wet areas due to their porosity.

Board It is composed of clay, quartz, and shale and has a rustic appearance due to its natural layered appearance. Because it is waterproof, it is often used for floor tile, but it is also used for shingles and patio tiles.

Natural Stone Finishes

Polished For a brilliant shine it may need regular maintenance to preserve the shine.

improved for a matt or satin finish that is more resistant to scratches and requires little maintenance.

acid wash for an antique look that reveals the crystalline structure within the stone and is highly scratch resistant.

flamed for a perfect rough texture where a non-slip surface is required– created by using a torch on the stone until the crystals on the surface explode.

fallen for a smooth but slightly pitted surface with jagged edges for a natural finish typically used for small tile and decorative border tile.

brushed for a natural worn look suitable for restoration work on old buildings, created by brushing the surface of the tiles with wire brushes.

Tile manufacturers now produce porcelain tiles with a natural stone effect and also make stone tiles made from natural stone chips suspended in cement or resin, but even the best quality porcelain tiles cannot beat the unique appearance of porcelain tiles. natural stone tiles.