Can I use Natural Stone Tiles inside?

Natural Stone tiles are becoming increasingly popular and have commonly been associated with use outdoors.
However, it is a misconception that they may only be used outside and now more and more home owners are choosing to use natural stone indoors.
Although a little more expensive than ceramic or porcelain tiles, natural stone should be seen as an investment. This material can create the most unique environment and add value to your home.
Perfect For Walls and Floors
Natural stone tiles are suitable for both walls and floors.
It is important to bear in mind, however, that this material can be very heavy, so do ask your manufacturer if your choice of tile can be fixed to a wall.
Commonly available in six different materials, Granite, Marble, Slate, Travertine, Limestone and sandstone; natural stone can also be supplied in several different finishes.
This versatility makes them perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and fireplace surrounds.
Stone does require an element of maintenance
It’s important that the tiles are sealed; a protective layer will ensure the moisture does not get through to the stone.
Once this has been done at the installation stage, the tiles then can be cleaned easily and would generally only require sweeping.
Natural stone is one of the few materials that in fact improves with age. Its beautiful finish improves over time, giving your room character and depth.
Many would consider stone to be cold and this conception can has put people off using it inside the home; this is certainly not the case.
Stone, in fact, is great at heat transference and can retain heat for long periods of time.
Suitable for creating both traditional and modern looks, natural stone can also be used to create borders and patterns. It also compliments other materials such as wood or metals.
When choosing your tiles, do remember that this product has been sourced from the earth and therefore will vary in colour from tile to tile.
It is wise to lay out quite a few tiles in your room before making your final choice, to really get an idea of the end result.
Most natural stones are highly resilient and travertine tiles in particular can feel beautifully soft under foot. These characteristics make natural stone a perfect choice for use inside your home.
Article by Mike Lovatt
Here at Atlas Ceramics we import and distribute high quality products to support the tiling industry. These products include Polished tiles, Matt tiles or Satin tiles for the wall and floor, ceramic and porcelain tiles, natural stone and mosaics, from Italy, Portugal, and Spain.