Natural stone is a product of nature. No two tiles are exactly alike.  Natural stone can vary in color, veining, thickness, sizing and finish.

(Sedimentary Rock) Travertine began as Limestone and is a result of hot springs in the earths core. After the water evaporated, the layers of dissolved limestone and minerals gave the stone its banded appearance. The characteristic holes in the stone are a result from gas bubbles which evaporate and form crystals in the cavities. These cavities are sometimes left as is for a more rustic & antique look or filled with a tinted epoxy and honed for a more solid surface effect. (Metamorphic) Slate is formed from compressed layers of the sedimentary rock shale that can be split to reveal beautiful colors and textured surfaces. Slate can be split and left with its natural cleft surface or gauged for a more consistent thickness. (Metamorphic) Similar to slate, quartzite contains 95% quartz and a higher concentration of mica which gives it a sparkling texture.

• Interior and exterior
• Floors and walls
• Shower and tub surrounds
• Fireplaces
• Vanities

• This can mean different things to different manufacturers.
• The surface is usually brushed or honed with different pads, creating an old look.
• Sometimes the surface is acid washed, exposing a dimpled surface (this works especially well with travertine).
• The edges tend to have a chipped or tumbled look. Basically the stone looks like it's been around a while.

• There are various methods used to produce this look, but basically the edges come out chipped. Generally the surface of the tile is honed or brushed.

• Basically the same as chiseled, but the chips aren't as deep.

• A matte surface is created similar to polishing, minus the last few pads.

• A matte finish with a soft sheen, between honed and polished.

• Pads are used to create a glossy sheen on the surface of the stone.

• Stones are put in a big cylinder and tumbled with other stones and smaller stones to create a rounded edge and softer finish.
• Length of time in the "Tumbler" determines how rounded the edges are.
• Softer stones, such as travertine, tend to have a more rounded edge than harder stones, such as marble.

Accurate estimation of your surface is an important first step.
Square Foot Calculator
To calculate the square feet of an area, provide the following measurements.
Height         ft.         in.
Width         ft.          in.
Total Square Feet:         ft.
Estimating Tile Quantities
When measuring for floor tile the rule is:
Length x Width + Waste = Amount Needed
Waste Factor will vary based upon tile size, layout, configuration of room, patterns, etc. Typical waste factor is about 10%.  Add 15% for tile being installed diagonally or for a room with lots of jogs  and corners. These installations will require more cuts and thus more waste.

• Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc. Special impregnating sealers are recommended to avoid these problems. Emser representatives can recommend the appropriate sealer.

• Do clean natural stones with special stone cleaners, pH balanced cleaners or neutral base cleaners.
• Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with lemon or lime on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.