How the common stones behave
Marble: beautiful, soft and acid-sensitive. Limescale removers and some cleaning products will etch it. It suits low-splash walls and careful households better than family shower floors.
Limestone and travertine: porous and prone to staining without diligent sealing; travertine's natural voids need filling and can reopen over time.
Slate: much more forgiving, good slip characteristics, and it handles wet areas well, though it can shed fine flakes on cheaper grades.
Installation differences that matter
Stone is sealed before grouting as well as after, otherwise the grout pigment stains the face permanently.
White or light stone needs a white adhesive; a grey adhesive can shadow through translucent stone.
Thickness and size variation across a batch means more time setting out and levelling than porcelain of the same nominal size.
When porcelain stone-effect is the better answer
Family bathrooms, rentals, hard-water areas and anywhere nobody will realistically re-seal on schedule. Modern large-format stone-effect porcelain is convincing, needs no sealing, and shrugs off cleaning products.
We suggest it often, and we are not being lazy: it is the specification that still looks right in ten years without a maintenance routine nobody keeps up.
Frequently asked questions
How often does stone need resealing?
It depends on the stone, the sealer and the use. Wet areas typically need attention far more often than people expect - plan on regular reapplication.
Can stone be used on a shower floor?
Slate and some honed stones work well. Polished marble on a shower floor is slippery and high maintenance.
Is stone more expensive to fit?
Yes, typically - the sealing stages, the setting out and the slower handling all add labour on top of a higher material cost.
Will you fit stone I have bought myself?
Yes, though we will check it is suitable for the location before it goes on the wall or floor.
Next step
Tell us the look you want and we will show you both the stone and porcelain routes to it.
Free quote • No pressure • Fast response