Natural stone tile is a cornerstone of architectural and interior design — and has been for centuries. And it's really no surprise. Few materials can simultaneously boast the timeless elegance and organic beauty — not to mention the aesthetic versatility and durability — of natural stone tile.
Unique patterns and rich textures all contribute to its appeal. From a sleek marble backsplash, to a rustic slate floor, and a warm travertine patio, natural stone has the undeniable ability to elevate any space.
If you're new to the world of natural stone tile, we're breaking it all down in this comprehensive guide. We'll dig into what it is, inspiring ideas for incorporating it into your home, installation methods (both DIY and professional), essential cleaning and maintenance tips, and — of course — where to get your hands on the good stuff (hint: Riad Tile has you covered).
What Is Natural Stone Tile?
Natural stone tile is exactly what it sounds like. It is tile that comes from quarried stone that has been cut and finished. Because of that origin story, no two pieces of natural stone tile are exactly alike. This is one of the differences between natural stone and mass-produced, manufactured options, like ceramic, which provide a far more uniform appearance.
Each natural stone tile has its own distinctive veining, texture, and coloration. These variations are all part of its beauty, adding sophisticated character to any space and helping make it feel one-of-a-kind.
The most common types of natural stone used in tile production include:
- Marble: A lesson in classic luxury, marble is renowned for its smooth texture and dramatic veining. It's often used in bathroom and kitchen countertops and walls, in addition to flooring.
- Granite: With its signature speckled appearance and its high durability, granite is often selected for high-traffic areas and countertops.
- Limestone: This softer, more porous stone has subtle color variations and a matte finish, so it brings an understated elegance that's suitable for both interior and exterior applications.
- Slate: Characterized by a more rustic, rugged appearance and textured surface, slate brings rustic charm to floors and walls — both inside and out.
- Travertine: Featuring natural pits and troughs in its surface, travertine delivers a warm, earthy look that's commonly used in bathrooms and outdoor spaces.
Where to Use Natural Stone Tile in Your Home
Part of the allure of natural stone is that it works everywhere — floors, walls, backsplashes, showers, fireplaces, patios, you name it.
But if you need some additional inspiration, here are a few ways to incorporate it into your home:
- Kitchen Backsplashes: A marble or travertine backsplash can add a distinct layer of elegance as a focal point in your kitchen.
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Bathroom Walls: From an all-over marble bathroom to showers, a dreamy pink herringbone tub surround, or hexagonal marble walls, any variation of natural stone tiles for walls can turn your bathroom into a spa-like oasis.
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Bathroom Floors: Slate is shoo-in for an earthy yet sleek statement on bathroom floors, but so are many other natural stone tile flooring options.
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Entryway and Mudroom Flooring: Go checkerboard and make an eye-catching impact in the main and back entrances of a home with this option of a natural stone tile floor.
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Outdoor Decks and Patios: Travertine and slate hold up beautifully in the elements while maintaining a lovely aesthetic appeal.
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Fireplace Surrounds: A natural stone fireplace, outfitted in tumbled marble or limestone, is the definition of cozy-chic in a room.
Natural Stone Tile Installation Options
If you love a good DIY project and have some experience with tile work, you can install natural stone tile yourself. But just know that natural stone tile isn't quite as forgiving as ceramic or porcelain, and an installation that doesn't quite go right can be an expensive mistake to fix.
Here's a general step-by-step overview, along with the tools and materials you'll need. But just know that each type, size, and pattern of natural stone will require slightly different materials (like grout and mortar!).
Recommended Tools and Materials
- Thin-set mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Rubber float
- Grout
- Sealer (penetrating stone sealer recommended)
- Wet saw (for cutting tiles)
- Level and measuring tape
- Your natural stone tile of choice!
DIY Installation Basics
- Prep Your Surface: Ensure the surface — whether it's a subfloor, wall, or outdoor area — is clean, level, and free of debris and ready to receive your natural stone tile.
- Plan Your Layout: It can be helpful to dry-lay your tiles to determine the arrangement you prefer — and to minimize any potential mistakes. This is easiest when you are using natural stone tile for flooring, but you can also sketch out how you want your tile to appear on a backsplash or wall. Also, don't ignore the age-old advice: Measure twice and cut once! That way, you can minimize waste.
- Apply Mortar: Once you're ready to lay your natural stone tile, use a notched trowel to spread a layer of thin-set mortar that's suitable for your specific tile onto the clean surface.
- Lay the Tile: Press each tile firmly into the mortar, using spacers to maintain those evenly proportioned grout lines that are essential to a professional-looking finish.
- Cut Your Tile: With a wet saw, cut the stone tile into the sizes you need to fit corners and other spaces where the regular-size tiles cannot accommodate. Note: A standard tile cutter won't cut it (literally). So, it's critical to use a wet saw, as it prevents chipping.
- Apply Grout: Once the mortar sets, remove the spacers and fill them with the appropriate grout for your tile using a rubber float. At Riad Tile, we highly recommend using Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout for many natural stone tiles. It's available at Lowe's and Floor and Decor. Whichever grout you choose, make sure it is non-sanded and stone-safe.
- Don't Forget to Seal: Don't skip this step! Use a high-quality, penetrating sealer to protect your natural stone tile from any moisture and stains. Riad Tile recommends the Miracle 511 Porous Plus sealer for many natural stone tiles. For your planning purposes, the quart size covers 200 to 250 square feet, while the gallon size covers 500 to 750 square feet.
When to Hire a Pro
For those who prefer to leave the installation to the experts to ensure a flawless finish and long-lasting durability, consider hiring a professional installer. This can be especially important if you're dealing with intricate patterns (like herringbone or checkerboard layouts), if you need to cover a large space, or if you just don't want to deal with the mess and stress of DIY.
Professional tile setters will provide the correct spacing, proper sealing, and an overall polished look. At Riad Tile, we can connect you with recommended contractors to get the job done both efficiently and beautifully.
How to Clean Natural Stone Tile
While natural stone is durable, it still needs some TLC to stay as gorgeous as possible. Here's how to keep it looking its best:
- Maintain Regular Cleaning: Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove any dust, dirt, or debris.
- Keep Surfaces Dry: If your natural stone tile is in a moisture-rich environment — like the tile floor of a bathroom or a shower wall — it's helpful to dry off the tile to avoid any water stains or the buildup of mildew.
- Use Appropriate Mopping Solutions: Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner with a damp, soft mop to avoid damaging or scratching the surface of your tile.
- Manage Stain Care: Clean any spills immediately to prevent any possible staining, especially with acidic or highly pigmented substances — like that glass of wine that got knocked over. If a stain does happen, consider using a mild dish soap with warm water for oil-based stains and a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for organic stains like food and drink, leaves, and more.
- Keep Up Periodic Sealing: Apply a stone sealer, like the Miracle 511 Porous Plus Sealer, every one to two years to ensure your natural stone tile is continually protected against moisture and stains — particularly in areas with moisture like bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.
Where to Buy Natural Stone Tile
If you're looking for high-quality natural stone tile, Riad Tile is a tile store in Dallas that offers a wonderful range of premium options. No matter where you live, you can purchase Riad's natural stone tiles online for delivery straight to your door or in the Dallas showroom, where you can see the beauty of each option in person.
Some of Riad Tile's stunning natural stone options include a full range of marble tiles:
- Bardiglio Grey Marble: A sophisticated grey hue with subtle veining makes a more subtle statement than black marble.
- Calacatta Gold Marble: This is an elegant white marble with grey streaks (what a stunner!).
- Calacatta Viola Marble: No shrinking violets here with the dramatic purple veining of this marble — so unique!
- Casablanca Carrara Marble: This is a cool and classic white marble with a hint of soft grey tones.
- Casablanca Gold Marble: Warm and elegant, this creamy marble comes with golden hues.
- Italian Statuary Marble: Crisp white with fine grey veining, this refined tile may remind you of the iconic marble statues.
- Nero Marquina Marble: This bold, black marble has sharp white veining.
- Norwegian Rose Marble: Gorgeous pink hues abound here for a one-of-a-kind, romantic statement.
Plus, don't miss other natural stone collections at Riad:
- Checkerboard: With both classic and non-traditional takes on the checkerboard pattern, these natural stone tiles add both timeless and dynamic visual interest to floors and walls.
- Limestone: This one has a natural and earthy appearance with subtle textures, suitable for both interior and exterior applications.
- Slate: Known for its durability and rustic charm, slate tiles are an ideal companion for many surfaces.
- Travertine: Characterized by its textural surface and warm, organic tones, travertine adds a classic and timeless appeal to a range of settings.
- Moroccan Limestone & Marble – With matte, tumbled finishes, these variations on marble and limestone provide a handcrafted look with natural charm.
Next Steps for Natural Stone
Now that you know the basics, it's time to make your natural stone tile dreams a reality with Riad Tile. Whether you're drawn to the undeniable elegance of marble, the statement-making impact of checkerboard, the organic warmth of travertine, or the rustic charm of slate, there's a stone tile out there that's perfect for you and your space.
