Natural Stone Tile Buying Guide
Choosing natural stone is about more than selecting a color or pattern. Stone type, finish, size, application, maintenance, and natural variation can all affect the finished installation. This guide will help you compare materials, calculate your quantity, and order with greater confidence.
1. Start With the Application
The best material depends on where and how it will be installed. Before choosing a tile, consider moisture, foot traffic, weather exposure, maintenance, and slip resistance.
Kitchen
Natural stone can be used for kitchen floors, backsplashes, feature walls, and other decorative surfaces. Backsplashes generally offer more flexibility because they receive less foot traffic than floors.
Bathroom
Many marble, dolomite, travertine, and limestone products can be used on bathroom walls and floors when properly installed and maintained. Shower applications require careful waterproofing, appropriate setting materials, proper drainage, and a suitable tile finish.
Entryway and Interior Floor
Entryways and frequently used floors require a durable surface appropriate for foot traffic. Consider the stone’s finish, expected maintenance, tile thickness, and the amount of dirt or moisture entering the space.
Fireplace
Natural stone can create a distinctive fireplace surround or feature wall. Confirm that the selected material, setting products, and installation method are appropriate for the surface and expected heat conditions.
Outdoor Area
Exterior installations require products suitable for the local climate, weather exposure, drainage conditions, and installation method. Not every natural stone tile or finish is recommended for outdoor use.
Pool Area
Pool decks, coping, waterlines, and submerged applications have different technical requirements. Consider water exposure, chemicals, slip resistance, freeze-thaw conditions, and whether the product is suitable for the intended pool application.
Product suitability can vary by installation. Consult a qualified installer and review applicable building codes before ordering.
2. Understand the Stone Types
Every natural stone has its own appearance, performance characteristics, and care requirements.
Marble
Marble is valued for its veining, depth, and timeless appearance. It is available in subtle white and beige selections as well as dramatic black, green, red, and multicolored varieties. Marble generally requires sealing and should be protected from acidic substances and abrasive cleaners.
Travertine
Travertine offers warm colors, visible pores, and natural movement. It is available in filled, unfilled, honed, polished, brushed, chiseled, and tumbled finishes. Travertine is frequently used for interior floors, bathrooms, patios, pool areas, and traditional architectural designs.
Dolomite
Dolomite often combines a light marble-like appearance with distinctive gray or taupe movement. It is popular for kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and walls. Like other natural stones, its suitability depends on the finish, application, and maintenance expectations.
Limestone
Limestone typically has a soft, understated appearance with subtle fossil markings and tonal movement. It can complement traditional, Mediterranean, transitional, and contemporary spaces.
Onyx
Onyx is known for translucency, vivid coloration, and dramatic mineral movement. It is most often selected for decorative walls, backsplashes, bar fronts, niches, and other lower-impact feature applications.
Granite
Granite is a dense natural stone available in a broad range of colors and crystalline patterns. Depending on the product and finish, it may be used for interior or exterior architectural applications.
3. Choose the Right Finish
The finish changes the appearance, texture, maintenance, and possible applications of the stone.
Polished
A glossy, reflective finish that emphasizes color and veining. Polished stone may show etching, scratches, water spots, and wear more readily and can become slippery when wet.
Honed
A smooth, matte or low-sheen surface with a softer appearance. Honed finishes are widely used for floors, walls, bathrooms, and contemporary interiors.
Tumbled
A weathered finish with softened edges and visible surface texture. Tumbled stone is commonly used for backsplashes, showers, traditional interiors, and selected exterior applications.
Brushed
A textured finish that enhances the stone’s natural character. Brushed products are often selected for rustic, transitional, and outdoor-inspired designs.
Chiseled or Antiqued
These finishes create more pronounced texture and aged edges. They are frequently used for pavers, patios, pool areas, and Old World-style installations.
A textured finish does not automatically make a product suitable for every wet or exterior application. Confirm the requirements of your specific project with your installer.
4. Select a Tile Size and Pattern
Tile size can change the scale and visual character of a room.
- Large-format tile can create a more continuous surface with fewer grout joints.
- 12×12 and other standard field tiles work well in a broad range of spaces.
- Rectangular tile can be installed in straight, offset, or other approved layouts.
- Mosaics can accommodate curves, slopes, niches, shower floors, and decorative details.
- Checkerboard tile combines contrasting stones to create a classic geometric floor.
- Pattern sets can create modular layouts for interior or exterior spaces.
Before selecting a layout, confirm the actual product dimensions, tile thickness, grout-joint recommendation, and installation requirements.
5. Order Samples Before Making a Final Decision
Images can help you compare products, but screens display colors differently. Natural stone may also contain variation that cannot be fully represented by one photograph.
A sample can help you evaluate:
- General color and undertone
- Finish and surface texture
- Veining or mineral movement
- Compatibility with cabinetry, paint, and lighting
- Grout and design combinations
A sample represents a small portion of a naturally varying material and will not show every color, vein, or marking that may appear in a full order.
Order samples early and evaluate them in the room where the material will be installed. View them under both natural and artificial lighting.
6. Expect Natural Variation
Variation is an inherent and desirable characteristic of natural stone. Tiles may differ in color, shade, veining, markings, texture, pores, fossils, and other geological features.
Natural stone may include:
- Light and dark tonal variation
- Fine or dramatic veining
- Mineral deposits and crystalline areas
- Small pits, pores, fissures, or surface texture
- Filled areas or resin reinforcement
- Natural edge and dimensional variation
These characteristics are generally part of the material rather than manufacturing defects. Review multiple pieces and dry-lay the material before installation so the installer can distribute variation throughout the project.
7. Calculate How Much Tile You Need
Measure the length and width of each installation area and calculate the total square footage. Add the areas together when the project contains multiple sections.
A basic calculation is: Length × Width = Square Footage
For example: 10 ft × 12 ft = 120 sq. ft.
We generally recommend ordering additional material for cuts, breakage, pattern alignment, installation waste, and future repairs.
Suggested overage
- Straightforward layouts: approximately 10%
- Diagonal or patterned layouts: approximately 15%
- Complex rooms or extensive cuts: consult your installer
These percentages are general estimates. Your installer should confirm the final quantity before you order.
Use the SoCalTiles Tile Calculator for an initial estimate, but base the final order on field measurements and your installer’s layout.
8. Order Enough Material at One Time
Natural stone can vary between production runs, shipments, and quarry selections. For the best possible consistency, order the full project quantity—including overage—in one purchase.
Additional material ordered later may not match the original shipment in:
- Color
- Shade
- Veining
- Finish
- Thickness
- Calibration
- Overall appearance
Keeping several unused pieces after installation can also make future repairs easier.
9. Review Product Details Before Ordering
Before adding a product to your cart, review:
- Material type
- Tile or sheet dimensions
- Finish
- Thickness
- Coverage per piece, sheet, or box
- Sold-by unit
- Minimum order quantity
- Recommended application
- Current availability
- Estimated fulfillment time
Some products are sold by the piece or box while pricing is displayed by square foot. The quantity entered may therefore be converted into full pieces, sheets, or boxes.
Contact SoCalTiles before ordering if you are uncertain about coverage or quantity.
10. Plan for Installation
Natural stone should be installed by a qualified professional familiar with the selected material and application.
Before installation:
- Inspect the complete order
- Confirm that the correct product and quantity were received
- Check the tiles for shipping damage
- Dry-lay and blend pieces from multiple boxes
- Approve the layout and variation
- Confirm the setting material and grout
- Determine whether sealing is required
- Verify substrate preparation and waterproofing
- Follow applicable codes and industry standards
Do not install material that appears incorrect or unacceptable. Installation generally indicates acceptance of the product.
11. Sealing and Maintenance
Many natural stones benefit from sealing before or after installation, depending on the product, finish, application, and installation system.
Use products designed for natural stone and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Avoid acidic, abrasive, or harsh household cleaners unless they are specifically approved for the stone.
For more information, visit our Stone Care and Maintenance Guide.
12. Understand Shipping and Delivery
Smaller qualifying orders may ship by parcel carrier. Larger and heavier tile orders are usually secured to a pallet and sent by LTL freight.
Before delivery:
- Confirm your telephone number and delivery address
- Review the tracking or appointment information
- Make sure someone is available to inspect the shipment
- Photograph visible damage before unloading when possible
- Note damage or shortages on the delivery receipt
- Contact SoCalTiles promptly if there is a problem
Visit our Freight Information page for more details about delivery appointments, residential service, inspection, and reporting damage.
13. Local Order Pickup
Confirmed orders may be eligible for pickup from our Orange County warehouse. The warehouse is not open for walk-in shopping or product viewing.
Wait until you receive a pickup-ready notification before arriving. Your confirmation will include the warehouse address, available hours, and pickup instructions.
14. Retail and Trade Accounts
Retail customers can shop through SoCalTiles without creating an account. You may also use your email address to access your customer account, order history, and current order status.
Contractors, designers, builders, developers, retailers, and other qualified professionals can apply for a SoCalTiles Trade Account. Approved trade customers must sign in to view their available trade pricing and account benefits.