| After-sales Service: | 3 Years |
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| Warranty: | 3 Years |
| Material: | Porcelain Clay |
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Beautifully organic and highly enduring, stone has always been a sought out element in architecture and design. From the grand temples of the Roman Empire to the embellished marble facades of Baroque churches, stones like marble, granite, limestone, travertine, and quartzite have been a consistent choice for elegant, impressive, and impactful structures throughout history.
But great and soaring architecture is not the only design that benefits from the unique qualities of natural stone. Thanks to its durability and versatility, natural stone has made its way into our homes in flooring, walls, and accent features, becoming the main material of choice for classic as well as modern environments. These versatile, resilient, and elegant materials find a home in any style or décor. Let's explore the things you should know before working with stone, as well as some inspiring ideas for your next natural stone project.
Considerations When Designing with Natural Stone Tile
Natural stone is a popular choice among designers and homeowners alike for anything from showers to countertops. The popularity of this element continues to grow, as does the variety of sizes, shapes, textures, and unique stone combinations.
But what do you need to know when considering natural stone for your project? For example, is all stone the same? What are the benefits of using stone in your home? How to maintain natural stone surfaces in a high-traffic environment? Let's take a look at the answers to these questions and more.
The first major attribute to consider is how hard a stone naturally is. This is important in determining how much traffic it can endure and where it can be used. Harder stones, like quartzite and many granites, can be used for heavy rolling loads and high-traffic areas. Softer stones, like onyx and travertine, are best used in areas that don't receive heavy use. The harder the stone, the less likely it will be to scratch. The second major factor is know if it is heat resistant. This is especially important for countertop use in kitchens or outdoor areas. A third factor is porosity, or how likely is the stone to soak up liquids when exposed. All natural stones are porous and will require a sealer to maintain their original look, but some are definitely more porous than others. This is important to keep in mind since more porous materials require a higher level of diligence when maintaining a protective barrier from liquids and other staining and etching hazards. Let's take a look at some of the most popular natural stone types and their attributes.
Relatively porous stones, such as marble and limestone, work well on floors, walls, and bathroom countertops, but are less recommended to use in kitchens, for example. Harder stones, such as granite, are ideal for more challenging environments such as kitchens and showers. Another good example is quartzite, a stone similar to marble in its pattern but less porous, which makes it more fitting to deal with high traffic areas. For outdoor use, the most recommended stone is slate - a natural stone that can sustain extreme temperature changes for a very long time.
As the name implies, natural stone is not man-made. It is important to know that there is a natural tone, hue, and pattern variance to most stones. While some stones are naturally more uniform in texture and pattern, stones like marble or onyx can often present bold natural patterning and color variation. While it is considered a design plus for many projects, it's always a good idea to purchase a little extra material for your stone project, to be able to select your favorite patterns. You can also request to see a picture or sample of the particular lot of stone that you will be purchasing if you are concerned about natural pattern variation. This is a good idea if you are using larger tiles and slabs since the overall pattern can make quite an impact on your design, but mosaics made up of smaller pieces tend to show enough of a pattern to communicate the essence of the stone. If the idea of too much natural variation keeps you up at night, you may want to consider using a porcelain tile with a stone look. This is a good alternative if you are expecting your tile to be an exact replica in pattern and color to your sample piece.
While stone is considered a highly resilient material, it can be susceptible to scratching and staining if not maintained properly, just like any other surface. Routinely, natural stone tile should be cleaned with highly concentrated pH neutral cleaners, that will not affect existing sealing or coating. It is very important to avoid cleaning materials that contain acid or bleach. In addition, sealing is highly recommended for all types of stone, especially marble, limestone, and granite. High-quality sealing can provide stain and scratch protection and will extend your stone's life.
Abundantly available in nature and extremely durable, most natural stone is considered an environmentally sustainable choice for design. As it is 100% natural, stone does not contain any artificial materials such as plastic and can be relatively easily recycled or upcycled. Natural stone can last lifetimes, if maintained properly, and not having to continually replace a floor keeps material and waste out of landfills. And finally, most stones do not contain natural toxins or any harmful materials and can be safely used in kitchens, bathrooms, indoors, and outdoors. You can also choose environmentally-friendly sealers and cleaners to ensure a lower impact on VOC emissions.
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