Natural Stone Guide
Natural stone is a product of nature. No two tiles are exactly alike. Do not purchase tile or slab(s) based on photos alone — instead, request a sample of the tile or slab(s) prior to making a final decision. Customers are required to inspect the purchased material prior to fabrication or installation to check color, veining, thickness, sizing, and finish.
Coastal Tile & Stone proudly stocks Dry Treat Sealing products and Stone Pro Cleaners.
Antique & Tumbled Stone
Uses
- Interior and exterior
- Floors and walls
- Shower and tub surrounds
- Fireplaces
- Vanities
Types
- Tumbled Surface: Edges and corners are subjected to a tumbling process for an antique look.
Special Considerations
- Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of each stone. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
- Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Travertine
Uses
- Interior and exterior
- Floors and walls
- Shower surrounds
- Fireplaces
- Vanities
Types
- Unfilled: Travertine with naturally occurring holes.
- Filled: Travertine with its naturally occurring holes filled with a mixture of a hardener and dust obtained from the cutting and honing process.
- Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth.
- Honed: A smooth, non-reflective finish achieved by grinding the surface.
- Saw Cut: The untreated surface of a stone when it is first cut. The surface is slightly rough.
- Tumbled (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by rounded corners and edges.
Special Considerations
- Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of travertine. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
- Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Limestone
Uses
- Interior and exterior installations
Types
- Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth and luster.
- Honed: Grinding the surface achieves a smooth, non-reflective finish.
Special Considerations
- Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of limestone. Be sure to inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
- Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions stone such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Marble
Uses
- Interior and exterior in non-freeze/thaw environments
- Flooring
- Fireplaces
- Vanities
- Shower and tub surrounds
Types
- Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth and luster.
- Honed: Grinding the surface achieves a smooth, non-reflective finish.
- Tumbled Surface (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by subjecting the stone to a tumbling process.
Special Considerations
- Consider the function of the area involved prior to selection. Marbles range from 5-7.5 on the MOHS hardness scale. (Compare this with granite stones used for landscaping, which range from 8-9 on the MOHS scale).
- Green and black colored marbles require a 100% solid epoxy adhesive as they have a tendency to warp from water-based adhesives.
- Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of marble. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
- Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean marble with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Granite
Uses
- Interior and exterior
- Floors and walls
- Interior counter tops
- Exterior building facades
Types
- Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level– much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resulting smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth.
- Honed: A smooth, non-reflective finish achieved by using acid to grind the surface (available by special order only).
- Flamed (thermal): A rough surface created by applying a direct flame source, such as a blowtorch, and burning off portions of the surface minerals.
Special Considerations
- Color variations enhance the natural beauty of the stone. Inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
- Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Slate
Uses
- Interior and exterior flooring
- Walls
- Roofing materials
- Other special applications
Types
- Natural Cleft (ungauged / uncalibrated): Cutting along the natural layers creates an uneven, undulating surface.
- Calibrated (gauged): Cutting each piece to a relatively uniform thickness.
- Tumbled: Rounding edges and corners achieves an antique look.
Special Considerations
- Natural shade variations are inherent in slate. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
- Shaling (material splitting from the surface) is possible. This will cease over time.
Maintenance
- Do clean slate with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
- Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because slate is quite porous, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems.
- Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
- Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.