A Quick Guide To Natural Stone Tiling

by Arun Kohli Tiles Manufacturers in India

Among the ceramics and porcelains of the world, there is a natural stone tile that has stood the test of time and is counted as one of the most elegant tiles you may install in your commercial or residential space. The natural stone is primarily made with a variety of mountain-born minerals, giving it a shade that stands out sharply when placed next to manufactured stone tiles. The most popular forms of natural stone tiles include marble, slate, limestone, granite, and sandstone. They all come with different properties due to differing ratios. Know more about them:

Absorption Prowess:

Every natural stone tile comes with an absorption rating – a measure of how porous a given material is. More absorbency powers mean increased susceptibility to stains and getting cracked when subjected to colder conditions. In ascending order of absorption prowess, tiles are classified as non-vitreous, semi-vitreous, vitreous, impervious. Granite stands strongest against absorption of liquid and is used in high-traffic areas. Sandstone is a non-vitreous tile and thus should be avoided as a tile for bathrooms, kitchens etc. It must also be noted that polished tile surfaces have a tendency to absorb less water than honed or cleft surfaces.

Grade:

A grade is also used to rate the quality of the tile. A condition of the surface, size, shape, thickness – all contribute to the tile’s grading. Grade 1 is reserved for high quality, uniform surface, Grade 2 is for materials with minor defects like scratches, chips etc, and Grade 3 calls for major flaws in dimensions, size etc, hinting at their use as accent pieces.

Friction:

Bathrooms and kitchens need tiles that have strong grip against moisture. This is where Coefficient of Friction comes into work. Bathroom wall tiles as well floors need to have a dryness coefficient of at least 0.6 so to be considered for installation.

Oxidation:

Natural stone tiles contain a number of different minerals. Some of them may contain iron which adds the red tint to the tiles. When exposed to oxygen in an outdoor environment, the hints of iron can oxidize leading to rusting. This makes the tile fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Some of the major benefits associated with using natural stone tiles are the unique aesthetics, connect with nature, eco-friendly characteristics which make them extremely appealing as a flooring option. Natural stone tiles, however, require a lot of maintenance since most of them are generally porous and need to be treated with a sealing agent on the regular. You can also connect with a leading tile manufacturer who can guide you to make the best purchase.