What types of natural stone do you tile with?
Travertine, marble, granite, limestone, bluestone — we've worked with all of them. Each behaves differently underfoot and asks different things at the install: marble shows its veining under directional lighting, granite is bombproof, travertine has natural fills that need the right preparation. We talk through trade-offs at the quote and bring sample pieces so you can see them under actual room light.
Does natural stone need sealing?
Yes, almost always. We seal natural stone after laying — the sealer penetrates the surface and slows water and stain absorption. Re-sealing every 1–3 years (depending on traffic and exposure) keeps it looking right. We'll tell you exactly what product was used so you can re-apply yourself, or we can come back when it's due.
Can natural stone go in a wet area like a shower?
Some types yes, some no. Granite and most marbles are fine in wet areas with the right sealer. Limestone is more porous and needs careful product selection. Travertine works well outdoors and on shower floors but needs sealing. We can recommend specific stones for specific rooms — wet areas, high-traffic floors, feature walls each have different shortlists.
How do you handle the natural variation in stone?
Natural stone tiles vary significantly between pieces — that's the point. Before laying, we dry-lay the whole job so we can mix tiles from different boxes, balance dark and light pieces, and put the strongest-veined pieces where you'll see them. The dry-lay is a slower way to start but it's why a good stone job looks intentional, not random.
Will every stone tile have a different shape?
Most stone is supplied gauged (cut to consistent thickness and dimensions) — but split-face, tumbled and antiqued finishes can vary by 1–3 mm. We work with the variation rather than against it: tighter joints for gauged tiles, slightly looser joints for tumbled finishes. The look is set by the stone, the feel is set by the install.
Is natural stone harder to install than ceramic?
Generally yes. Stone is heavier, more brittle in cuts, and less forgiving on substrate flatness. The substrate has to be flatter, the adhesive has to be the right type, and cuts (especially around drains and corners) need a wet saw and patience. Stone work usually costs more in labour than ceramic for the same area — and the difference is what you pay for.
