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