Knowledge Hub: Guides
Types of Natural Stone
When selecting tiles for your bathroom, natural stone options effortlessly provide a luxurious feel and help create a truly timeless style. With numerous types to choose from, getting to grips with the varying properties of each stone is a great place to start. There are stones to suit various tastes, whether you are after muted, earthy tones and warmth or want to make a bold statement.
Let’s explore some of the most popular choices for use in the bathroom:
Marble
A classic and elegant choice for bathroom tiles, marble is a beautiful and durable material. Veining and variation in colours and tones are characteristic of marble. While black and white may come to mind when thinking of this material, orange, pink, and green tones can often be found within this stone. Marble is a porous stone, meaning it must be sealed and maintained.
Slate
With its anti-slip properties, slate is an excellent option for use in a bathroom. As you may have guessed, slate is a practical and hardwearing material because it is often used for roof tiles. Being predominantly dark grey or black, slate can mask dirt and create a smart look. However, subtle variations in colour and texture can also give it a slightly rustic touch. Although it is generally more resistant to water and staining than other stone types, sealing slate for easy cleaning and extra protection is still advisable.
Limestone
Adding depth and character to your bathroom is made easy with limestone. From warm beige to cooler grey tones, limestone can take on different looks depending on its location and the products it’s paired with. As another porous stone, limestone requires sealing to help prevent damage from liquid and dirt. An impregnating sealer is the best option as it can penetrate through the stone, forming a protective layer and keeping it looking its best.
Travertine
A rustic stone characterised by its warm beige colouring and small holes, travertine is an interesting material choice for use in the bathroom. When unpolished, travertine offers anti-slip properties due to its texture. Although this makes it a good tile choice, travertine must be sealed to maintain its durability and prevent signs of wear.
Sandstone
Another characteristic choice that fits rooms with a traditional style is sandstone. As it is an absorbent stone and can be pretty slippery when wet, sandstone is less widely used in bathrooms than other stones. However, with sufficient sealing and care, sandstone can be used in the bathroom. In particular, choosing a more textured sandstone will give it slightly more grip.
A lot of the beauty of natural stone comes from its display of unique variation from tile to tile, creating character and texture. Using stone tiles in bathrooms offers durability and a guaranteed ‘wow factor’. As well as the overall aesthetic, it is essential to consider the lack of uniformity that comes with stone and its maintenance requirements before deciding on tiles.
Please speak to one of our designers for advice on where and how to incorporate stone into your project.