Faq's About Using Stone In Your Home
1.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.
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 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 decor 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 type swill
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 sodalities 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 limestone's have softer earth tone colors; may contain
a "swirl" veining movement throughout; can contain fossils; or may have
a light speckled grain. Limestone's, 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.
Smelliest from countries such as France and Portugal can be somewhat
porous but are perfect for flooring, back splashes,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 aide 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, manufacturer swill 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 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 Franciscans, 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 CERAMICTILE?
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 Have worked on projects with. The setting supplies
and procedures are the same, but stone is heavier to work with. 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 OFMATERIALS?
A. Absolutely! The possibilities are endless. You can incorporate stone
with ceramic, porcelain, glass, and terra cotta…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 multiplying10.5x15.75 = 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 by144, 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 ora 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.
For Design Assistance go to: www.decoblends.com
