Natural Stone Application for Interiors

NATURAL STONE APPLICATION FOR INTERIORS

OVERVIEW

 Types of Natural Stone and Tile
 Quarrying
 Cuts and Matching
 Finishes
 Stone Construction
 Considerations When Specifying
 Maintaining Natural Stone
 Installation Examples

NATURAL STONE TYPES: TRAVERTINE

 Character: has voids, usually has some veining, variety of colors (mostly in the warm range).
 Formation: Travertine is a sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals.
 Applications:
 Floor and Wall
 Generally not chosen for kitchen countertops due to its low density, but travertine makes a
beautiful countertop in a bathroom
 A popular choice for outdoor use; especially as cladding , pavers, or as pool surrounds. Travertine
is naturally water „resistant” as it tends to push water out due to the way the stone is formed.
 Be sure to specify 1st choice travertine for most interior applications. This is the most dense
material. Commercial grade travertine is much cheaper, but can be very sandy, disintegrate, and
have large holes. Commercial grade may be appropriate for outdoor use in some cases—but not
where erosion may be a concern.

NATURAL STONE TYPES: LIMESTONE

 Character: often has visible fossils embedded within, some color variety.
 Formation: Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of different crystal forms of calcium
carbonate. Most grains in limestone are skeletal fragments of marine organisms
 Application
 Floor and wall
 Not generally chosen for countertops due to its porosity and tendency to stain-- limestone is
suitable for bathroom countertops, however.
 Not generally chosen for outdoor use for the same reasons, but it can be used with proper sealing
 Some limestones must be sealed from the front AND the back before installation to prevent the
setting materials from staining the stone.

NATURAL STONE TYPES: MARBLE

 Character: Marble often has distinct veining with a wide variety of colors.
 Formation: Marble is a metamorphic crystalline rock formed when limestone has additional heat
and pressure applied to it by the earth‟s crust, causing the stone to re-crystallize.
 Applications:
 Floor and Wall
 Countertops—occasionally. It is a popular material for bathroom countertops. It Can be too
delicate for kitchen (depending on how the client will use it) New Sealing Products have made
marble a more popular choice for interior countertops in recent years.
 Not usually a good choice for outdoor applications. Can be used in a sandblasted or other highly
textured finish, but usually not preferred for countertops in outdoor kitchens or in wet areas.

NATURAL STONE TYPES: GRANITE

 Character: often has “busy” visual texture in a variety of colors.
 Formation: Granite is a plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed
of feldspar and mica and quartz
 Applications:
 Floor and wall: sometimes this is a desired look, but it can be very busy
 Countertops: the hardness of the stone makes granite the most popular choice for both kitchen and
bathroom countertops.
 Suitable for any outdoor applications (be careful to choose the right finish) and exterior cladding

NATURAL STONE TYPES
 Slate
 Character: rough texture, mostly greys, but some varieties have dramatic some color variation.
 Formation: Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an
original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash
 Applications:
 Floor and wall: must consider shaling when choosing slate
 Not generally used as kitchen countertops due to shaling,
but custom slab fabrication is available
 Great for outdoor use
 Quartzite
 Character: Looks similar to slate, but is harder and doesn‟t shale
 Formation: a very hard metamorphic rock consisting of a mosaic of intergrown quartz crystals
 Applications: Same as slate

NATURAL STONE TYPES
 Onyx
 Character: translucent, can range from gold and oranges to green.
 Formation: Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. Onyx is a
sedimentary rock, formed as stalactites and
stalagmites in cave interiors.
 Applications
 Floor, Wall and decorative.
 Onyx can be delicate, so be careful where you use it.
 Most popular for Vanity countertops or specialty surfaces

 Soap Stone
 Character: Grey, sometimes greenish. With white veining. Smooth “soapy” feel
 Formation: a metamorphic rock that is largely composed of the mineral talc
 Applications:
 Generally used for countertops

 Chemical and heat resistant but NOT scratch resistant

 Can be delicate—must be oiled regularly to keep color

STONE PRODUCTION
 Sourcing
 Natural stone comes from quarries world-
wide.
 Certain stones are available only in certain
parts of the world.
 Italy, Spain, and Turkey are major exporters
of different types of natural stone
 Quarries
 After a deposit of a desired stone is
discovered, engineers design a quarry plan
 Stone is excavated using drilling and
blasting techniques
 Long tunnels are drilled vertically
 Explosives are inserted and detonated
 Large boulders are removed and
processed into useable tile and slabs
at the factories
 Let‟s watch a quarry blast!

 Factories
 Large blocks from the blast are either cut
into specialty items like sinks, bathtubs, etc,
or cut into large slabs which are then planed
and cut into tiles
 Factories have specially calibrated
machinery to make 90 degree corners and
straight cuts. Be sure when purchasing that
tile is properly calibrated!
 How Granite is sourced and produced

CUT TYPES AND MATCHING
 Cross Cut: stone is cut parallel to natural  Random Match: A casual, unmatched
layers, creating a cloudy movement in the effect with no attempt at a pattern (most
grain common application)

 Book Match: a mirrored-image pattern at the
joint line that produces a nearly continuous
 Vein Cut: stone is cut perpendicular to grain.
natural layers, creating a linear movement in
the grain

Variations of Book matching include: end
matching, diamond matching, and quarter matching.
These are all special order because the factory must
recalibrate the machinery to produce this effect.

NATURAL STONE FINISHES
 Polished: A glossy surface finish that brings out the full color and character of the stone. The finest and
smoothest finish available in stone, characterized by a high luster and strong reflection of light.
 Honed: This is a process to remove the saw marks/scratches left by the saw. This gives a softer, matte
appearance to the stone.
 Honed and Filled: Before Travertine is honed, the natural holes are often filled with colored cement or resin
to create a smooth surface
 Brushed: This process is done with a wire brush to make the stone have a soft or velvet feel to it. This
process enhances and deepens the colors as well. Sometimes called “leather‟ finish.
 Tumbled: A special finish obtained by rotating pre-cut pieces of stone in a tumbler. This process produces a
very rustic look with rough edges and rounded corners.
 Sand Blasted: This is accomplished by exposing the surface to a high pressure jet of sand that leaves the
material slightly scratched on the surface. This finish is often used outside because it is non-skid.
 Flamed: A stone that has been thermally treated, creating a reddish-yellow color with uneven rough surface.
 Saw-Cut: This is the result when the stone is cut; the gang saw used leaves marks/scratches on the surface.
 Bush Hammered: A finish that creates a rugged surface full of little grazes that becomes non-slippery, also
giving the stone a lighter shade.
 Split: Tile has a flat back with an uneven front surface, which offers a look like protruding bricks from the wall.
 Chiseled: A hand-made finish with deep textured line that could go in one or more directions. Can be rough
or fine.
 Antiqued: Special machines that look like industrial washing machines are used to treat the pieces with
abrasive elements (sand, shot blast) while a cylinder revolves. In a short time the impact on the stones with the
abrasives produces an effect similar to aging caused by use and wear.
 Acid Washed: Stone is treated with a special acid to create a slightly textured finish—this is popular in
shower areas, especially in stone shower trays. Can also be used to remove a polished finish from
stone.

 Imitations of these finishes are often available in man-made and engineered surfaces, as

TYPES OF STONE CONSTRUCTION
 Rubble
 Stones are used as they are, or roughly shaped and laid with wide joints.
 Cobblestone
 Cobblestones are laid in horizontal rows with decorative mortar treatment to the
horizontal and vertical joints.
 Ashlar
 Quarried stone is sawn to a particular size and the blocks fit closely together

TYPES OF STONE WALLS
 Structural
 - footing needed
 - coursed or non-coursed
 - filled with mortar
 - minimum 10” thick

 Decorative
 - footings still needed
 - coursed or uncoursed
 - fill with mortar
 - metal ties fasten decorative
to structural wall

METAL TIE SYSTEM FOR DECORATIVE STONE WALLS

Barnes Foundation
on Ben Franklin Parkway

SPECIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS
 Residential
 Almost any finish is appropriate for any application—it‟s all about the preferred look
 Sometimes slipperiness is a client concern in wet areas when using polished stone—the abrasion
coefficient between polished and matte is not so great that this is an issue on paper (many commercial
applications use polished stone), but be sure to address any concerns with clients before specifying a
material.
 Dust often makes stone more slippery than wetness—be sure to tell clients to dust mop their natural stone
floors regularly
 Textured finishes (split) look great for walls, but be sure to explain to the client how to clean them (using a
soft brush and stone cleaner). Consult your stone supplier for installation instructions in wet areas.
 Shower Floors: Must have small mosaics (most contractors prefer 2X2 or smaller, although 4X4 can work)
UNLESS a linear drain is used
 Commercial
 There is far more regulation in commercial applications regarding slip resistance and abrasion. Be sure to
know your city‟s or client‟s codes regarding these requirements.
 Thickness of Tiles
 Unlike porcelain tile, natural stone tiles vary in thickness from size to size (large format tiles must be
thicker to prevent breakage.) Be sure when combining tile sizes to be aware of the difference in
thickness as this will add to the labor.
 Sealer
 Natural stone should be sealed at the time of installation to prevent staining. Some people may
prefer to re-seal periodically for various reasons
 Sealer does not create a shiny finish or effect slip resistance. It creates a water-tight barrier,
strengthens stone, and sometimes adds a “wet-look” which enhances the color

MAINTAINING NATURAL STONE
 DO seal the area to bring out the color of the stone.
 DO blot up spills immediately.
 DO clean surfaces using only a soft cloth or sponge.
 DO use a stone cleaner
 DO thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
 DO dust mop natural stone floors regularly.
 DO protect floor surfaces with non-abrasive non-slip mats or area rugs.

 DON‟T use vinegar, lemon juice or other acid-containing cleaners on natural stone.
 DON‟T use rough cloths and mops to clean stone floors.
 DON‟T use vacuum cleaners, as the metal or plastic attachments/wheels may scratch the
floor.
 Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout or tub & tile cleaners.
Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.

 Regular maintenance using the correct techniques and products will ultimately preserve
natural stone flooring and reduce the need for very costly refurbishment.
 The Coliseum in Rome is constructed of travertine and still stands today.
 The oldest stone floor in Britain, one made of limestone, is around 7,000 years old and
still in remarkably good condition.

That should be durable enough for anyone.

INSTALLATION EXAMPLES
Slab Wall Treatment

- installed with metal fasteners
- grout is usually 1/16” in a
custom color
- pattern is a consideration

Hyatt Lobby,
Austin Texas


Mocha Onyx Travertine in Roman Pattern in Living Area


Travertine Roman Pattern in a Restaurant


24X24 Pearl Limestone in a Dining Area
Re-finishing the tile after installation creates the look of one sheet of stone on the
floor


Silver Ivory Travertine in a High-End Retail Store (Coach, Verizon


16x24 Honed Travertine with Chiseled Edges installed on an
Angle.
Tumbled Limestone Backsplash


Mocha Onyx Travertine Roman Pattern and Steps in a
Restaurant
(Madison Café, Riverton NJ. Design by Wendy Holden, ASID)


Saw Cut Travertine Exterior Cladding (El Salvador)


Custom Marble Pieces, including moldings, columns, and solid piece bench supports


Custom Travertine Shower Tray with Split-face Accent Wall


Splitface Mosaics can be installed in a shower area without grout—proper
waterproofing with membranes and specialty thinsets were used


Usually Shower Floors MUST have 4x4 or Smaller Mosaics (Due to Sloping)
A Specialty Drain will Allow for Large tiles and ADA Accessibility


This Vertical Accent was Created for Practical Reasons:
Can you Guess Why?

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
 www.stonemar.com
 holly@stonemar.com

 www.marble-institute.com
 www.laticrete.com/architects.aspx

 www.natural-stone-database.com

 www.architonic.com

Natural Stone Application for Interiors

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