The use of natural stone for flooring for thousands of years in public buildings such as places of worship, royal residences and grand houses because of its beauty and durability. Typical examples of natural stone are limestone, granite slate, marble, and slate. they're all formed of rocks that have been quarry-cut. The process of quarrying and carving the stone is a labour-intensive process that over the course of thousands of years was performed by hand. Recent technological advancements have meant that the process can be automated by using modern tools and the consequence of this has been that the natural stones have become considerably cheaper. While there are still traditional craftsmen who cut and polish stone manually.
Natural stone quarries, both old and modern, exist across the world from Europe up to India, Asia and North America.
How Do Natural Stone Tiles Made?
Large sections of rock are extracted from the earth with blasts, or cutting equipment depending on the nature and hardness of the rock and its location. These large blocks of rock are then cut into smaller slabs with varying thickness by using high-speed saws. The slabs are polished using machines to give different textural surfaces ranging from rough to ultra-smooth. The slabs are cut into smaller sizes, suitable for wall and floor tiles with special water-cooled saws, and finished with a final polish prior to being ready for the consumer.
Why Choose Natural Stone?
Natural stone tiles come in a wide range of colors, styles and finishes, from sleek contemporary limestone, classic marble or rustic slate so can suit any type of interior. They're beautiful and distinctive because, being natural materials there are no tiles that will be identical so your room could have a unique look of its unique. The finish is especially important as it gives an entirely distinct look with the same stone that comes from an identical quarry.
Common Natural Stone Types of Tiles
Travertineis a type of limestone with a honeycomb structure and a lot of indentation patterns on the surface. These dents may be filled in with resin for a smooth surface or left unfilled to create an uneven surface. The colors range from light creams to dark reddish browns.
Limestoneis formed when seashells settle in sediment. It then eventually hardens into sedimentary rock, so fossilized shells are a typical feature. Colors range from light cream and golden brown.
Graniteis an igneous rock so is very hard which makes Stone Tile Company it very durable. it comes in an enormous array of vivid colors and is widely used in the home for kitchen worktops and flooring.
Marbleis familiar to all of us through the ancient classical buildings in Rome and Greece and also the numerous famed Italian sculptures. It is available in a range of colours, often with distinct veining, however the darker marbles aren't suitable for use in wet environments due to their porosity.
Slateis composed of quartz, clay and shale. It is characterized by an aged appearance because of its natural layered appearance. Because it is water-resistant it is often employed for floor tiles but it can also be used for patio tiles and roof tiles.
Natural Stone Finishes
Polishedfor a glossy shine which might require regular maintenance to keep the shine.
Honedfor a matt or satin finish which will be more resistant scratches and needs little maintenance.
acid-washedfor an aged appearance that shows the crystal structure in the stone and is highly scratch-resistant..
Flamedfor rough texture that is ideal for areas where there is a need for a non-slip surface -created by using a blowtorch over the stones until crystals on the surface explode.
Tumbledfor smooth, but slightly pitted surface that has uneven edges for a rough natural finish, which is commonly used for small tiles and decorative border tiles.
Brushedfor a naturally worn look suitable for restoration work in old buildings- created by brushing the tile surface wil metal brushes.
Tile manufacturers now produce porcelain tiles with a natural stone effect and also manufactured stone tiles made from natural stone chips suspended in resin or cement, but even the highest ceramic floor tiles won't really compete with the unique appearance and texture of stone flooring.