Helpful Tips

Choosing, Calculating, and Installing overview

How to Choose the Best Natural Stone for Your Home

Choosing the best natural stone for your house involves several considerations, including aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and suitability for the specific area where the stone will be installed. Here are some steps to guide you through the selection process:

1. Determine the Area of Installation:

Flooring: High-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens require durable stones.
Countertops: Needs to be resistant to stains and scratches.
Bathrooms: Should be slip-resistant and handle moisture well.
Outdoor Areas: Requires weather-resistant and durable stones.

2. Consider the Types of Natural Stone:

Granite: Extremely durable and resistant to scratches and heat, making it ideal for countertops and high-traffic areas.
Marble: Luxurious and elegant but more prone to scratching and staining. Best suited for low-traffic areas or decorative features.
Slate: Durable and slip-resistant, making it great for bathrooms and outdoor areas.
Limestone: Softer and more porous, providing a natural look but requires more maintenance. Suitable for low-traffic areas.
Travertine: A type of limestone with a distinct look, suitable for flooring and wall applications. Needs sealing.
Sandstone: Provides a rustic look, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use but needs sealing.

3. Evaluate Aesthetic Preferences:

Color and Veining: Natural stones come in a variety of colors and patterns. Choose a stone that complements your existing decor.
Finish: Polished, honed, tumbled, or brushed finishes can affect the look and feel of the stone. Polished stones are shiny and smooth, while honed stones have a matte finish.

4. Assess Durability and Maintenance:

Hardness: Stones like granite are harder and more durable, whereas marble and limestone are softer and more prone to scratches.
Porosity: More porous stones (e.g., marble, limestone) can stain more easily and require sealing. Less porous stones (e.g., granite) are easier to maintain.
Maintenance Requirements: Some stones need regular sealing and special cleaners. Consider how much maintenance you are willing to perform.

5. Consider Safety and Functionality:

Slip Resistance: For areas prone to moisture (bathrooms, kitchens), choose stones with a textured or honed finish to prevent slipping.
Heat Resistance: For kitchen countertops, select stones that can withstand high temperatures.

6. Budget:

Cost of Stone: Natural stones vary widely in price. Granite and marble tend to be more expensive, while slate and limestone can be more affordable.
Installation Costs: Factor in the cost of professional installation, which can vary based on the type of stone and the complexity of the project.

7. Sourcing and Sustainability:

Local Availability: Check what stones are available locally to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact.
Sustainable Practices: Look for suppliers who source stones responsibly and follow sustainable practices.

8. Seek Professional Advice:

Consult with a Designer: Interior designers can help you choose the best stone that fits your aesthetic and functional needs.
Visit Showrooms: Seeing the stones in person can help you better understand their appearance and texture.

9. Sample Testing:

Request Samples: Obtain samples of different stones and place them in the intended area to see how they look in different lighting conditions.

Summary Table:

Stone Type	Durability	Maintenance	Best Use	Cost
Granite	High	Low	Countertops, high-traffic	High
Marble	Medium	High	Low-traffic, decorative	High
Slate	High	Medium	Bathrooms, outdoor	Medium
Limestone	Medium	High	Low-traffic, decorative	Medium
Travertine	Medium	Medium	Flooring, walls	Medium
Sandstone	Medium	Medium	Indoor/outdoor	Medium-Low

By considering these factors, you can select the best natural stone that fits your aesthetic preferences, functional needs, and budget.

The Waste Factor

How Much Do I Need to Order?

The best practice is to order at least 10-30% more than your project requirements to account for potential issues, waste due to cutting material, and other potential breakage during installation.

When installing natural stone, understanding the waste factor is crucial. The waste factor refers to the amount of stone that will be cut, trimmed, or otherwise discarded during the installation process. The waste factor varies depending on how tightly the stones are fitted; tighter joints require more trimming and thus produce more waste.

Waste Factor Considerations

Project Size: Larger projects might have a slightly lower percentage of waste due to more efficient use of materials.
Joint Tightness: Tighter joints increase the waste factor due to more precise trimming.
Stone Variations: Natural stones have variations in color and texture, necessitating extra materials to ensure consistency across the installation.

Example Calculation

For a project area of 1,000 square feet with an expected waste factor of 10% to 30%, you would need to purchase between 1,100 and 1,300 square feet of stone.

Tips for Managing Waste

Mock-Up: Create a small mock-up to better estimate your specific waste factor before ordering materials.
Order Extra: Always order extra materials for future repairs or additions, as natural stone batches can vary.
Efficient Cutting: Plan cuts carefully to minimize waste and use off-cuts in less visible areas.

By accurately calculating the waste factor and ordering extra material, you can ensure a smoother installation process and a consistent appearance of your natural stone veneer.

Installation Tips

Installing natural stone flooring can be a rewarding project, giving your home a luxurious and timeless look. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Materials and Tools Needed:

Natural stone tiles (marble, granite, slate, etc.)
Tile adhesive (thin-set mortar)
Grout
Tile spacers
Notched trowel
Level
Tape measure
Tile cutter or wet saw
Rubber mallet
Sponge and bucket
Grout float
Sealer (specific to your type of stone)
Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, knee pads)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Preparation:

Measure the Area: Calculate the square footage of the area where you plan to install the tiles.
Prepare the Subfloor: Ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. If necessary, apply a self-leveling compound.
Acclimate the Tiles: Let the stone tiles sit in the installation area for a couple of days to acclimate to the room temperature and humidity.

2. Layout Planning:

Dry Lay the Tiles: Lay out the tiles without adhesive to plan the pattern and placement. Start from the center and work your way out to ensure an even layout.
Mark Guidelines: Use a chalk line to mark the center of the room and create reference lines for laying the tiles.

3. Applying Adhesive:

Mix the Thin-set Mortar: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the mortar.
Spread the Mortar: Using the notched trowel, spread the thin-set mortar on a small section of the subfloor. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to create ridges in the mortar.

4. Laying the Tiles:

Place the Tiles: Press the tiles into the mortar, twisting them slightly to ensure a good bond. Use tile spacers to maintain consistent gaps between the tiles.
Check for Level: Regularly check that the tiles are level and adjust as necessary using the rubber mallet.

5. Cutting Tiles:

Measure and Mark: Measure the tiles that need to be cut to fit along the edges and mark them.
Cut the Tiles: Use a tile cutter or wet saw to cut the tiles to the required size.

6. Grouting:

Allow Adhesive to Cure: Let the adhesive dry for at least 24 hours or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Mix the Grout: Mix the grout according to the instructions.
Apply the Grout: Using a grout float, apply the grout diagonally across the tiles to fill the gaps. Remove excess grout with the float.
Clean the Tiles: Use a damp sponge to wipe off excess grout from the tile surfaces. Rinse the sponge frequently and be careful not to remove grout from the joints.

7. Sealing:

Allow Grout to Cure: Let the grout cure for the recommended time, usually 48-72 hours.
Seal the Tiles: Apply a stone sealer to protect the tiles from stains and moisture. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and curing times.

8. Final Touches:

Clean the Floor: After the sealer has dried, give the floor a final cleaning to remove any residue.
Inspect the Installation: Check the tiles and grout lines for any imperfections and make any necessary repairs.

Tips:

Always wear safety equipment when cutting tiles.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for all materials used.
Work in small sections to prevent the adhesive from drying out before the tiles are laid.
Regularly clean your tools to prevent the mortar and grout from hardening on them.

This guide should help you install natural stone flooring successfully. If you have any specific questions or encounter any issues during the installation, feel free to ask!

Disclaimer: Surfaces Galore provides information to give customers an overview of the process from choosing to installation of our natural stone surfaces. However, we are not responsible for any mistakes, problems, or issues that may arise. All responsibility for the selection, installation, and any associated outcomes rests solely with the customers.