| In the erratic world of real estate, few things never | | | | scratch-resistant, stain-proof, and even heat-proof. |
| go out of style such as stone. Yes, stone. Whether | | | | Another thing to look for is its non-skid surface, |
| they're set into paths, gardens, patios and even | | | | which is suitable for elderly people who are more |
| around swimming pools, stones are timelessly elegant. | | | | prone to falls. |
| And the loveliest thing about stones is that they are | | | | Installing Stone. |
| subtle in their beauty; we don't usually notice them | | | | Because tile and stone floors are heavy and intolerant |
| unless someone points them out for us. | | | | of movement, they generally are applied over a |
| Natural tiles are ancient, people of long ago have | | | | tough, firm base to prevent cracking. Wooden |
| been using it for their homes. Natural stone is not | | | | sub-floors are usually reinforced with a layer of |
| only beautiful to look at, it can also make a room | | | | cement backer board or plywood, and for even |
| look richer, vibrant, and warm, simply because it | | | | more sturdy applications, a professional tiler may |
| invokes an aura of nature. | | | | install a mortar bed. |
| Natural Quality. | | | | Grout matters. |
| You'll be amazed to find out that natural stone will | | | | Grout is that mixture of cement that goes in |
| probably last longer than your house itself. When | | | | between bathroom tiles or stone. For a fresh look, |
| properly installed, it is heavy duty, resilient, and should | | | | simply updating the grout makes all the difference. |
| take all forms of wear and tear. This permanence, | | | | Ask your tiler to take extra care in applying grout. |
| combined with its natural beauty, makes quality and | | | | Fine and thin grout lines make the tiles look delicate |
| character important considerations in choosing natural | | | | while thicker grout lines make for a more rural and |
| stone. Buying inferior cheap stone may cost you | | | | 'earthy' appearance. |
| more in the end since you'll be forced to keep | | | | Gloss. |
| repairing or replacing them when they get damaged. | | | | Higher gloss (polished) tiles are contemporary |
| Choices of Stone. | | | | whereas heavily grooved and rough give an aged, |
| Quarried or reconstituted stone is available in so | | | | worn look. |
| many forms these days to suit all kinds of taste and | | | | Illusions. |
| budget--from natural stone right through to | | | | Give a room a more spacious feel with light-colored |
| reconstituted stone using glass and ceramics. | | | | natural stone; conversely, if you want a cosier and |
| Natural, Bluestone, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, | | | | smaller feel, go for a darker shade. |
| Marble, Pebbles and Stones, Sandstone, Terracotta, | | | | So many wonderful tiles are available so don't be |
| Travertine | | | | afraid to choose and experiment. The choice is yours. |
| Man-made and reconstituted | | | | Remember that this is your new home, and you're |
| Aurio, Ceramic, Crystallino, Glass Mosaic , Limestone, | | | | making it stand out from everyone else's. No matter |
| Marble, Porcelain Vitrified, Rock Solid, Nowadays, | | | | what you natural stone you use in your home, rest |
| reconstituted stones are made to be | | | | assured that you won't regret it. |