Q.IS NATURAL STONE A GOOD CHOICE FOR HOME USE?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.