Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between natural stone and tile?

Natural stone refers to a material that has formed in the earth for hundreds to thousands of years. The deeper you quarry for stone, the stronger and denser the stone becomes. For instance, slate is relatively close to the surface and breaks or flakes more easily than granite that is much deeper in the earth. Some other natural stones are limestone, marble, travertine, onyx, and quartzite. Tile generally refers to a man-made product like ceramic or porcelain tile.

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?

There is a lot of science behind the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile, but the easiest explanation is this: both are man-made products using a clay material that is fired at an extremely high temperature. Porcelain tiles are a denser and less impervious material than ceramic. Because of this, most companies produce the majority (if not all) of their floor tiles as porcelain and not ceramic.

Does my natural stone need to be sealed?

Yes. Natural stone is a porous material and needs a good penetrating sealer that will protect your stone and make your life easier when keeping it clean. We carry FILA Solutions, an Italian-produced stone sealer.

What is involved in keeping my natural stone sealed?

It is a lot easier than people imagine. Using a good quality sealer will cut down on the steps involved and the frequency in which it needs to be applied. A good penetrating sealer normally involves about 3 steps. Step 1 – clean the stone very well, otherwise the sealer will lock in whatever dirt or debris is on your stone. Step 2 – Apply the sealer (like putting Pledge on wood furniture) in layers until the stone stops absorbing the sealer. Step 3 – let the sealer dry and cure before using the space again.

What is a rectified porcelain tile?

Some porcelain tile comes cut with perfectly square cut edges. This means a tile installer can lay the tile with a grout joint as small as 1/16”.

Is there a better grout on the market than what I am used to seeing?

Yes. Grout has come a long way in the past few years. There are now acrylic based (instead of the traditional sand and cement) grouts on the market with the sealer already built in. This combination creates mold, mildew, stain, and UV resistant grout. They are available in all the colors of the traditional sanded or un-sanded grouts.