A. YES. Natural stone is a terrific (not to mention beautiful) material to use
in all areas of your home. Knowing the different types of stone, their
finishes and applications will help you to make an informed decision on which
stone is the best for your project.
2.Q. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT FINISHES FOR STONE?
A. There are many finishes and options available. Here are the most widely
used:
*
Polished – A high gloss surface.
*
Honed – Smooth with squared edges and without a polished surface.
*Tumbled – Lightly tumbled to achieve rounded edges and a surface that is not
as smooth as honed.
*
Antique Tumbled – Medium tumble edges and surface to achieve a slight rustic
look.
*
Cobbled or Distressed – Heavily tumbled edges and surface to achieve an aged
or ancient look.
*
Brushed – Acid washed and wire brushed for a smooth textured surface.
*
Flamed – Blow torched for a rough textured surface.
3.Q. DOESN'T STONE STAIN? I DON'T WANT STAINS!
A. YES. All natural stone can stain and etch (a dull spot in a polished or
honed surface), including GRANITES. Sealers DO NOT prevent staining as they
are a moisture barrier only, yet they will help to give you a small amount of
time to wipe up spills. It is nearly impossible to prevent staining or
etching, but serious stains can be almost
completely removed and any etching can be resurfaced if either is truly
bothersome to you. To help keep a perspective on choosing to use natural
stone, remember the following:
1. For centuries, many European countries have used natural stone from floor
to ceiling, inside and out. The
stone becomes stained, cracked, pitted…and that is why we love it! These
characteristics only make it that much
more beautiful. (Only we Americans get uptight about such things!)
2. Because stone is quarried from the earth and not "man" made, it is
improbable to ever find two exact matching tiles or matching slabs for that
matter. One slab may even look different from each end of itself. That is also
the beauty because each piece is different, but when pieces are put together
as a whole it is a masterpiece! (Be sure to purchase enough to complete your
project as you may not be able to get more from the same lot.)
3. Stone is timeless. It does not get dated like the 70's Avocado Green and
Harvest Gold décor did.
4. Stone will last longer than any of us will. There are centuries old
castles, made of 100% stone and still standing today!
5. It is a natural resource that will never run out.
6. The more it is used, the faster a "Patina" (light sheen on the surface)
will develop. The "Patina" will also aid to
prevent staining to a lesser degree.
4. Q. WHAT IS THE BEST STONE TO USE IN MY HOME?
A. It is really a matter of choice and the look you want to achieve. These are
questions to ask yourself when making your decision: Is it beautiful to you?
Do you love it? Could you live with it for years?
The best advice that I can ever give to anyone choosing stone is: Go with
what you are drawn to from the beginning. First, because you will only spend a
lot of time and become confused when laboring over the "right" decision by
looking at many different stones and colors; secondly, you will probably not
be happy with your selection if you have to settle on something else.
Reviewing the following most used stone types will help when you are ready to
make your choice.
GRANITES – Granites usually have a "spattered" or "swirled" grain and can
contain many colors (minerals). Generally, granites have a polished finished
and have a "busy" look, but to keep up with current trends, more manufacturers
are producing honed (smooth & unpolished) and flamed (rough textured)
surfaces.
Granites may be purchased in slab and dimensional tile form and can be used
in almost any application. It has become ever popular as it is being used
frequently in newly built tract housing, apartment/condominium complexes and
commercial buildings.
Granites are imported from many countries and have just as many colors and
sizes to choose from. A note in using polished granite is to know that it can
be slippery to walk on until a patina builds on it. As with any other
commodity, stone is also graded for quality standards. Be wary if it is
extremely inexpensive…(less than $7.00
per square foot unless you are buying a large quantity.) The price ranges in
granites can be anywhere in between $8.00 to $90.00 per square foot, depending
on the color, rarity and where the stone comes from. The "blue" stones,
containing minerals/gems such as sodalite are usually in the higher priced
ranges.
LIMESTONES – There are many types of limestone available and vary to many
degrees, depending upon where it comes from. Unpopular to belief, limestone is
also a perfectly suitable stone to use in all areas of your home. Most
limestones have softer earth tone colors; may contain a "swirl" veining
movement throughout;
can contain fossils; or may have a light speckled grain.
Limestones, just like granite or any other natural stone can stain, etch or
get scratched, but again, you should not use natural stone if this will bother
you. Limestone also is widely available in dimensional tile and slab form.
This stone is used most frequently in higher-end homes, architectural designs
and commercial applications as it is easy to work with, the colors are muted
compared to granites, it is available in as many finishes and textures as
granite and it is still relatively new to the market. It is still considered
to be a "custom" choice, as it has not reached the overuse level of granite.
Some limestones from countries such as France and Portugal can be somewhat
porous but are perfect for flooring, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds and
outdoor uses.
Limestone from countries such as the US and Israel (Jerusalem Stone) are
generally heavier and usually as dense as granite, which makes it suitable for
almost every application.
SLATES – Slate used to be used mainly for chalkboard, billiard tables, science
lab areas and roof tiles. However, in recent years it has become more popular
for residential use in most applications, with the exception of fabricated
counter tops. Slate tiles are generally rough in surface texture, with the
exception of the tumbled version. Most slates are available in a wide variety
of sizes in dimensional tiles; a few in slab form and most can be gotten in
crates of random pieces like flagstone. It is a perfect stone for water areas
such as showers & spas, patio/driveway areas, pool surrounds and roofing
applications. Most slates contain a huge variation of color, even within the
same lot and some will even look to have been stained from spills of red wine,
which is not the case. This is caused from earth minerals such as iron and
only adds to the beauty of the stone. Slate holds onto heat
well, which is another reason besides being fire proof; it is widely used as
roofing material. (Use light colors in outdoor areas where you may be walking
barefoot!) Since slates have a softer property, be aware that it can shale off
the surface more easily. This will not harm it per se, but may cause you
concern if you are not aware
that it happens. One of the difficulties of slate is that it is varied in
thickness. Because of the shale properties, it is very difficult to cut
evenly. Generally, manufacturers will cut them with a "gauged" thickness or
"sawn back" treatment, leaving one side smoother. Because of the varied
thickness between each piece of tile, specific sized installations may be more
of a challenge, so expect your installer costs to be a bit higher.
Slate itself is generally a less costlier stone. Expect anywhere from $4.00
- $8.00 per square foot, dependent upon the grade and country of origin.
Again, beware of any extremely inexpensive prices and be sure to check the
quality of the slate to be sure that it has not been filled with dyes. Test by
holding a piece under running water for a few minutes and also by putting a
few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice on it and wiping off. If any color
comes off, return it immediately! Just a note: I only recommend using any
acidic solution on stone in this
instance for testing purposes only.
MARBLE – Most people are familiar with marble in many uses. From Greek statues
to Roman baths, marble has been used for centuries in just about every
possible application, both interior and exterior. Marble has the same general
properties of limestone and can stain, etch or scratch, but it only becomes
more beautiful
over time and use. It is readily available in just about every color, size,
finish and texture known to man. Most marbles have a veining of a mineral
throughout them and are generally thought to be from Italy, but it in actually
it is quarried from all over the world. Tumbled marble has become extremely
popular in the United States in the last few years for backsplash, flooring
and shower areas. Prices range from $6.00 - $30.00 per square foot, again
dependent upon the rarity, color and country of origin.
A couple of drawbacks to marble to be aware of is:
1. Green marbles containing serpentine need to be installed in water areas
with specific setting guidelines that your installer should know of as water
can warp and break apart green marbles;
2. Polished marble can be slippery to walk upon until a patina has built up
on the surface.
TRAVERTINE – Travertine is marble, except it is filled with "holes." To
understand what causes the holes, think of it this way…wherever a river or
stream was prior to the marble being quarried is where you will find
travertine. Because of the holes, people can be scared off because travertine
is generally thought to be more porous and not suitable for residential use.
This is not the case, as all of those holes become filled in with grout during
installation, giving it a very unique look. The same travertine can be used in
two separate areas but appear another way just by using two different grout
colors! Travertine can be purchased with the holes pre-filled, but in my
experience with it, I don't recommend it. In general, the epoxy fill that is
used has a color to it that does not look natural to the stone and it has a
tendency to come out after a short amount of time in high traffic areas.
Expect to pay anywhere from $5.00 – $15.00 per square foot.
5.Q. IS STONE MORE DIFFICULT OR COSTLY TO INSTALL THAN CERAMIC TILE?
A. On the whole, it is not more difficult to install. There are exceptions of
course such as the difficulties with thickness gauges, which takes more time
in lying out and whether a complex pattern is being used.
As for cost it is generally not more expensive except for time spent on
laying out patterns and the thickness gauging again, at least for the tile
contractors I have worked on projects with. The setting supplies and
procedures are the same, but stone is heavier to work with. I suggest talking
it over with your installer and also taking the time to look at previous jobs
he or she has installed if possible. I will be giving tips on selecting a tile
contractor/installer in my next article.
6.Q. CAN A STONE DESIGN BE USED OR MIXED WITH OTHER KINDS OF MATERIALS?
A. Absolutely! The possibilities are endless. You can incorporate stone with
ceramic, porcelain, glass, and terracotta…anything you can think of, even
mixing different types of stones together.
7.Q. HOW DO I FIGURE THE QUANTITY THAT I WILL NEED?
A. Generally, tile and stone for a "field" area is figured by the square foot.
To figure square footage, measure the area that you will be putting the tile
with a tape measure.
Examples:
1. You measure your room and it comes out to be 10-1/2 feet wide by 15-3/4
feet long…you would calculate it by
multiplying 10.5x15.75 = 165.38. Round this number off to the closest whole
number (165). I suggest adding on a
10-15% overage to plan for cuts, breakage and a little extra to store in case
a piece needs to be replaced later in
time.
2. You measure your wall area to be covered and you get 18" tall and 33" long.
Multiply 18x33 = 594". Now divide
that number by 144, resulting in 4.13sf. (There are 144 sq. inches per square
foot). Again, round it off and add on
for overage.
When figuring for decorative tile or trim, it is usually by the piece and
calculated by the lineal foot.
For slabs, it is best to let your fabricator figure the quantity for you.
8.Q. WHAT SIZE GROUT JOINTS SHOULD I USE?
A. Again, this is a matter of choice and the look you prefer. Honed stone can
usually be butt jointed (tight to each other) with very little grout showing
if you want to see less grout or a grid pattern; tumbled stone usually has a
1/8" to 1/4" grout joint which will show off the edges more.
9.Q. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH DESIGNING MY STONE LAYOUT?
A. Yes, I can! I charge an hourly fee of $75 and I will need several things
from you:
1. A copy of your blueprints, including the elevations if you have them and
the area to be tiled clearly marked; or a drawing of the area, including the
dimensions and the area to be tiled shown. Make sure to specify what
room/location it is, if it is not marked on the blueprint.
2. The style of home you have; or the look you prefer, i.e.…rustic,
contemporary, elegant, traditional…
3. Whether or not you have already chosen your stone. If so, what did you pick
and what size? If not, do you want me to make suggestions for you? If yes, do
you have a set budget?
4. Will you want to use decorative trim pieces? If so, did you choose one yet?
What are the dimensions of a piece(s)?
About the Author - Kim has worked in the Building Industry for 19 years and has specialized in
tile and stone for the last 5, with emphasis on end-user and tile contractor
drawing design specifications and visualization.
How to Finance your
New Home Project - FirstAgain can
help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Apply online today!
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