Natural Stone Tile
- Natural stone tiles
- 1,308
- Price per sq ft
- $3.79 to $71.65
- Rectified edges
- 59
- Samples
- $4.99
Sizes compared
From our 1,308 natural stone tiles. Prices are per sq ft.
| Size (in) | Tiles | From | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 | 119 | $3.79 | $12.45 |
| 12x24 | 115 | $3.95 | $14.95 |
| 2x2 | 89 | $8.29 | $19.65 |
| 18x18 | 69 | $4.55 | $14.79 |
| 1x1 | 57 | $12.79 | $21.09 |
| 24x24 | 54 | $3.95 | $12.65 |
| 1x2 | 51 | $15.35 | $20.75 |
| 3x6 | 46 | $4.95 | $15.85 |
How to choose natural stone tile
Choose the stone for the room first and the color second.
Kitchens and busy floors. Spills of wine, citrus and tomato are daily events, so calcite stones such as marble, limestone and travertine tile will etch dull spots no matter how well they are sealed. Sealer slows staining; it does not stop etching. Granite, quartzite and slate tile shrug off most kitchen acids but still need sealing.
Finish. Polished stone is slippery when wet and shows etching most. Honed means a matte, grippier face; tumbled means rounded edges and an aged surface that hides scratches. Slate usually has a natural cleft surface; gauged slate is ground to an even thickness. Gauged pieces are easier to set flat. Travertine comes filled or unfilled, and open holes in unfilled travertine can collect dirt on a floor.
Shade variation. No two stone tiles match. Open several boxes, lay tiles out dry and blend boxes as you set them so color drifts evenly instead of in patches. Order the whole job of natural stone tiles at once, with about 15% overage for cuts and culls, and confirm every box carries the same lot number.
Upkeep. Plan on sealing at install and periodically after. Use cleaners labeled stone-safe; vinegar and many bathroom sprays will etch the calcite types.
If sealing and etching sound like more upkeep than you want, porcelain tile in a stone look gives the color without the chemistry.
Questions
Is natural stone good for floors?
Yes, when the stone and finish suit the room. Honed or tumbled finishes grip better and hide wear; polished stone is slippery when wet. Slate, granite and quartzite tolerate busy kitchens and entries, while marble, limestone and travertine suit baths, living areas and halls where acidic spills are rare. Every stone floor needs sealing and grit control at the doors.
Does natural stone need sealing?
Yes. Every common type, from marble and travertine to granite, slate and quartzite, takes a penetrating sealer after installation, and a coat before grouting keeps grout pigment out of the pores. Reseal when water darkens the stone instead of beading up. Sealing reduces staining but does not prevent etching on calcite stones, so clean with pH-neutral products.
Natural stone vs porcelain: which is better?
Pick porcelain if low upkeep matters most, and natural stone if you want material that is truly one of a kind. Most porcelain needs no sealer and does not etch. Stone needs sealing, varies piece to piece, and calcite stones etch, but stone can be honed or refinished when it wears, and many owners value the patina it develops.
How much do natural stone tiles cost per square foot?
Natural stone tile here runs $3.79-$71.65 per sq ft; type, size and finish decide where a given tile lands. On top of the tile, budget for sealer, setting materials suited to stone and labor, and order about 15% extra, because natural stone loses more to cuts and culls than manufactured tile.
Can natural stone be used outdoors?
Yes, if you choose the stone and finish for the climate. Slate, granite, quartzite and tumbled travertine are common on patios and pool decks; check each product's stated exterior wet-use rating, and skip polished stone outside. Where winters freeze, use only stone the supplier rates for freeze-thaw, on a well-drained base. Seal outdoor stone and expect to reseal it more often than indoor floors.
What sizes does natural stone tile come in?
The most common sizes here are 12x12 (119), 12x24 (115), 2x2 (89), 18x18 (69), 1x1 (57) and 24x24 (54) inches. Thickness runs from 4.1 to 19 mm. Larger formats mean fewer grout lines but need a flatter floor; small formats and mosaics follow curves and shower slopes.
Which finishes are available in natural stone tile?
Polished (506), Honed (477), Tumbled (151), Natural Cleft (90) and Matte (35). Polished reflects light but is slippery when wet, so keep it to walls and dry floors; honed is smooth without shine and suits floors and showers; tumbled has softened edges for a rustic look; matte hides water spots and is the usual pick for floors.
What colours does natural stone tile come in?
white (523), gray (302), beige (221), black (101), brown (43) and blue (27). Colour reads differently on every screen, so order a $4.99 sample of your shortlist and look at it in the room, morning and evening.