Frequently asked questions about natural stone

Please can you explain the different types of natural stone finish?

Riven Finish: A natural untouched finish to the stone.

Chipped Edge: This finish gives the edge of the stone a chipped and uneven appearance.

Honed Stone: A process of flattening the surface of the stone to give a flat low sheen finish. This process can mute the final colours of the stone.

Filled Finish: Minor imperfections in the surface of the stone are pre filled with resin.

Unfilled Stone: Minor imperfections in the stone are left unfilled and natural looking.

Tumbled Stone: This process is used to give an aged/worn look to the stone.

Brushed Finish: This process creates a smooth but undulated surface by use of mechanical scabbler.

Polished Finish: This process is achieved by using fine abrasives to flatten the surface of the stone to give a very reflective, highly polished finish.

Worn Edge: This process is achieved by hand finishing the edges of the stone to produce an uneven cambered edge.

What colours are available in natural stone?

Granite, marble, limestone and slate are available in a variety of colours. Please visit the information section for each type of stone where you can view samples of colours.

Can I do one area of my project now and complete the remainder of it in the same colour at a later time?

Unfortunately, no. As natural stone is quarried, changes in shade and texture occur. Therefore, matching existing material at a later time may prove difficult.

Do I need to "seal" my stonework?

We seal all natural stone work. The sealer soaks into the stone to help guard against staining and does not change the appearance of the stone. We recommend that the sealer is re-applied every year, which is a very simple process. Tiles provided by Simply Stones will not be sealed and should be sealed by the homeowner or the homeowners tile fitter. If we are fitting the tiles as well our quotation will include sealing of the tiles with the correct products.

Does Granite and Marble require special care?

Marble and granite area easier to maintain than you might expect. Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and soft cloth clean up most spills on both surfaces.

Granite: Granite is extremely durable, stain-resistant and easy to care for. Granite will not chip, crack or scratch under normal use. Although, please be cautious when placing hot pots and pans onto a granite surface. If you have granite for work surfaces, a chopping board should be used when slicing bread, meats or vegetables.

Marble: Marble is softer than Granite and therefore less stain-resistant. Spills should be wiped immediately. Marble is especially susceptible to damage from citric acids, alcohols and oils. However, with the correct care, the beauty of marble will last for many years.

Will the stone stain if used on my kitchen or bathroom floor?

Stone is naturally porous and needs to be treated with a sealer when it is first laid. We can provide advice and the correct product for the various types of stone. We recommend LTP products for the sealing and general after care of the stone tiles.

Will the colour of the stone I choose be consistent?

Being a natural product, stone is subject to colour and shade variations within each batch. Even a block of stone cut from the same seam in a quarry can produce shade variations.

Do you provide a fitting service?

At Simply Stones we can provide a 'supply only' or 'supply and fit' service. Please contact us for further information or a quotation.