If you have decided to tile one of the rooms in your house, you should seriously consider using natural stone tiles. The price of them has fallen substantially in the last few years, making them less expensive than high end ceramic tiles. They are not perfect for all tiling jobs, but their versatility, durability and looks make them very popular with homeowners.

Travertine, granite and slate are the main types of natural stone tiles available, and what follows is a brief description of each of those types…

Travertine – Coming in a variety of shades of brown, these tiles, which are a form of limestone, look particularly good. They can be used to good effect on both floors and walls and the texture of them can really change the look and feel of a room. The only downside to them is that, due to them being porous and containing lots of tiny holes, they can be affected by constantly coming into contact with water, such as in a bathroom or shower area.

Granite – This is the hardest and most durable type of natural stone tile. Considering granite is formed from molten rock, it is not hard to understand just why it is so durable. It may not look as attractive as other types of tiles, but it does not have a certain charm to it. It is perfect for all kinds of tiling, from countertops, to patios to entire bathrooms.

Slate – The best choice for walls and countertops, slate tiles are easy to cut and shape. You can also use them for tiling floors, but because they will invariably be slightly different in thickness, an uneven surface can result. They are mostly gray in color, though you can finds them with other others colors mixed in too.

To get an idea of exactly how each of these types of natural stone tiles looks, then just take a look at the website of a store that specializes in making / selling them. When it comes to buying, try and get some samples first if you can as how a tile looks in a store or on a website can be quite different to how it will look when in your home.

You can create a really nice look by using more than one type of natural stone tile in the same room. It does not always work well though, so you should ask a couple of other people for their opinions before starting the mix and match approach. Maybe get some ideas from magazine or websites and try to replicate what others have done.

Continue : Natural Stone Tiles