Stone or ceramic

[enduro]

Why are so many people scared of fixing natural stone, if i had my way i would only fix natural stone, not because of the price, i think its a bit more forgiving than perfect ceramics...I love the stuff, my very first job was 95sqm of uncalibrated slate.

[Ric]

im quite happy laying slate its just the cleaning off after grouting that gives me sleepless nights....

[cutmore]

i,am with you mate.very pleasing too the eye.

[Sir Ramic]

i dont mind either, as long as each day is not a repeat of the one before its ok with me.

[enduro]

A good washboy, with a bit of lithofin cementaway in the water as your final wash finishes it of a treat

[DEN]

I think tiling with natural stone is a lot more complex than tiling with ceramics,with respect to knowing which adhesives to use,whether they need sealing or not beforehand etc etc,i think most people are comfortable with ceramics,unless of course you have a certain degree of knowledge about using natural stone tiles,as most people may not know about which adhesives to use.

[whitebeam]

Natural stone look's more pleasing to the eye, Love laying it

[grumpygrouter]

Only done 1 natural stone job, polished granite, so I will leave the jury out until I have done a few more.

Grumpy

[Holohana]

I think tiling with natural stone is a lot more complex than tiling with ceramics,with respect to knowing which adhesives to use,whether they need sealing or not beforehand etc etc,i think most people are comfortable with ceramics,unless of course you have a certain degree of knowledge about using natural stone tiles,as most people may not know about which adhesives to use.

It shouldnt be really, well i should say it hasnt been for me anyway. Tend to always use flexi single part adhesive, unless 2 part required and almost always use white stuff, gives me piece of mind i guess and i know i aint going to have any comebacks.

BAL Superflex all the way on grout as well so again covers all things to all tilers.

Just the sealing etc that needs the knowledge on and the skills to cut and lay etc. IMO of course.

[Fekin]

Must say I have never had a job yet with natural stone

[TilingLogistics]

Natural Stone is OK As long as you understand the substrate needs to be spot on and understand the stone you are laying (ie what stone is it) and what the sealing requirements (if any) are needed. The problems seem to occur these days because the tiles are getting bigger and bigger

Kev

[wetdec]

It shouldnt be really, well i should say it hasnt been for me anyway. Tend to always use flexi single part adhesive, unless 2 part required and almost always use white stuff, gives me piece of mind i guess and i know i aint going to have any comebacks.

BAL Superflex all the way on grout as well so again covers all things to all tilers.

Just the sealing etc that needs the knowledge on and the skills to cut and lay etc. IMO of course.

Be aware that stone does not particularly like the polymers etc that put the flex into grouts

tiler

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[Holohana]

Be aware that stone does not particularly like the polymers etc that put the flex into grouts

tiler

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Always learning on here!

[whitebeam]

Be aware that stone does not particularly like the polymers etc that put the flex into grouts

tiler

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What choice do we have but take the advise of adhesive manufacture's and what is available to us

[Branty]

What choice do we have but take the advise of adhesive manufacturer's and what is available to us

I think what wetdec is saying, is just be aware that the high polymers can have an adverse affect on tile, i.e leaving a dull film on the surface of the stone, as in the thread dull mosaics.
If you have to use a high polymer grout, just be cautious.
Well, I think thats what he was saying.

[wetdec]

Good catch

tiler

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[MICK the Tiler]

I love working with stone, my backs not too keen on the idea but my mind is always into it. Down here we have a particurly good high quality pink sandstone that is a pleasure to lay whether its calibrated or not. I think it's just a softer more earthy natural look that cannot be immitated with man made products that gives stone its charm. All the fossils contained in it and the natural flow of the wavy grain and knowing mother nature has spent millions of years creating so you can have the pleasure of walking upon it every day has a certain appeal. I even go to the extreme of using local sands and cements and oxides to mix my own recipes of grouts for that personalized touch of class. Very satisfying medium to work with.

[wetdec]

I have worked with stone for what seems an age and love it. I think you either like it and are willing to put the huge effort it requires to get the finish into it or you dont. If you cant do this then pass the job to someone who knows the ins and outs. Ceramics lay 10m grout wipe off 5hrs, Stone pick it, lay it, grout it, clean it seal it 3days or may be more if done properly. The results are masivley different and stone will win every time, its natural, the bloom is awesome and it can add a million dollars to a room.

I do lay ceramics as well honest


tiler

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[TilingLogistics]

Natural Stone is definately a passion for me! I cannot explain the buzz I get out of restoring what is essentially dull and lifeless stone back to a floor full of life and definition and all by natural process

Kev

[reaper72]

With the technological advances at rocersa for large format porcelain,slate is soon going to be a thing of the past....now before any of you jump down my throat,I've seen these things in the flesh,and you would think they are slate.....advantages:calibration,no sealant or golvpolish needed,no resealing every couple of years,no flaking,far tougher material.....
the size is 470x700,so start buyiny large cutters boys,'coz they're coming!
anyone who wants a look,check out
www.rocersa.es and look for the NEOTECH RANGE ,name of the tile is NATURE 47X70

[Branty]

Its more than just the look, its the feel too. It's like those wood effect tiles...........why?

[GazTech]

Its more than just the look, its the feel too. It's like those wood effect tiles...........why?

And laminates that try to look like slate or stone..........why?

[devonmark]

I enjoy stone work, looks the biz when put up properly..Mark.

[Raja]

both are very gud but ceramic mainly

[IvegotsTILE]

happy with either,ceramics take no thought though.