Porcelain and Natural Stone Tiles

Porcelain tile - a second close

A porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile that is made by heating refined clay at high temperatures, making it denser and less porous than other tiles. It is known for its durability, water resistance, and easy maintenance. Recently, larger formats of porcelain tiles have been trending due to advances in technology. And Inkjet technology allows for the creation of tiles with realistic visuals that closely mimic natural stones, making them an increasingly popular choice for those seeking the aesthetic of natural stone with the benefits of porcelain. Yet, natural stone will always have a special place for clients seeking to bring the beauty of nature to their homes.

Natural Strength and Beauty:

Natural stone flooring integrates the beauty and strength of earth elements with your home's decor in a way that few materials can match. Our design team can explain different textures and hardness, assist you with choosing colors, and help you select which stone material is best for your application.

It may not come as a surprise, but all natural stones should be blended from box to box during installation to provide a balanced blend of color. Of course, a sealant will help with cleaning and resist staining then maintain accordingly. Also, keep in mind, materials and installation prices will fall into the premium category.

If you are thinking of incorporating a stone into your home’s design, here you’ll find some facts and information about the stone flooring products we carry:

Basalt tiles (volcanic)

Known as lava stone or volcanic rock that seeped from the Earth, typically originating from a Hawaiian volcano. It eventually turns into a hard rock surface. This resulting material is dark gray to black color and can range from smooth to textured depending on the conditions in which it was formed. It is super durable and can be used for indoor or outdoor projects. Basalt is not just for floors. It lacks calcium carbonate and therefore does not etch when exposed to acidic substances, it is great for kitchen countertops. In fact, because it is available in slabs too, old school chemistry labs use it as a preferred surface material. Basalt is often considered a sexy minimalist material.

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Basalt is elegant and simple for any home that commands an organically modern vibe.

‍Marble

Marble is a metamorphic stone. Essentially, marble is the recrystallized form of limestone created after limestone strata is softened due to tremendous sub-surface heat and pressure. Often, marble is selected because it delivers a timeless, but a contemporary and elegant feel to a kitchen or bathroom.

Marble comes in many colors and can be heavily veined and complex.
Marble can be used on floors, walls, vanity tops, fireplaces, backsplashes and furniture, but not all marbles are appropriate for floor applications.
Variations in color and texture are inherent in all natural stone materials.
Acidic and Alkaline substances do not play well with marble, they may cause permanent damage and etching of the floor, including pet urine and hard “tap” water.
Although it is available honed, polished marble tends to make the room spacious.

Slate

Slate is also a metamorphic stone. It's composed of sediment from decomposed organic matter and stone that was hardened by the earth's heat and pressure.

Slate can be used for residential floors and commercial applications.
Slate is used in both interior and exterior applications. In exterior applications, you'll want to make sure the environment won't be too harsh, with freezing and thawing or constantly wet conditions. Also, consider that it is both heavy and brittle.
Slate has impressive texture in both coloring - which can include mixtures of grays, tans, rusty browns, olive greens, and specks of purple and cyan - as well as contouring.
It is slightly softer than other stones, so it scratches relatively easily .

Limestone/Sandstone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock produced by the compacting of loose particles such as mud, sand, pebbles and the remains of plants and animals that become bonded by the extreme pressure of the earth, or by the crystallization process of certain minerals causing a bond. It’s composed primarily of calcite or dolomite and is often rich in fossils. Limestone and sandstone typically come in lighter neutral colors and depending on the finish style, they can create a subtle, calming feeling in a space.

All limestone and sandstone are durable but low in hardness compared to granite or other stones.
Sandstone and limestone can both be used for flooring, walls and fireplaces, as well as furniture.
Limestone tiles are available in various finish types for various kinds of aesthetics, like brushed, honed, polished, and tumbled.
A design classic from rustic neutral to a contemporary style in naturally stunning shades of browns, tans, whites, and grays, allowing other design elements without competing focal points.

Travertine

Travertine is a sedimentary stone formed by calcite accumulation from mineral-rich hot springs. Travertine contains irregular pits and holes formed by boiling water and sulfur bubbles rising up through the limestone slurry. The holes can be filled with a synthetic resin or cement, after which the stone is referred to as a “filled travertine.” The stone itself will take a polish, but the fill will not. A more rustic appearance can be achieved by leaving these imperfections and holes unfilled.

Travertine presents a delightful variation in color and texture.
All travertines should be sealed after their installations to be resistant to stains.
Travertine has a wide variety of uses including floors, walls, fireplaces, countertops, and furniture.
Travertine should be mixed well from box to box, during installation to provide a balanced blend of color.
Unlike granite and marble, travertine has a naturally weathered look that suits both formal and casual design styles

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock formed by the cooling down and solidification of molten magma and lava. As it cools, crystals form and grow upon one another until the entire molten body has turned to stone. This group of rock is said to be the earliest to form on the planet and today comprises up to 95% of the earth’s crust. Granite is the parent rock of all other rocks and primarily composed of quartz and feldspar. Granite provides a heavy, granular, crystalline appearance with variations in shading and colors of its mineral grains.

Granite is the hardest natural stone for floor covering.
Granite is well suited to many high-performance applications in food service areas, such as cooking tops, islands, butler's pantries, bar tops and kitchen countertops.
Granite is an excellent material for floors as well as bath area applications, including high-performance elements such as steam showers.
Granite is resistant to most acids.
Granite pieces need to be blended as they're installed so the final application will coalesce into a balanced mixture of shades and colors.

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