You must have always experienced a hard time when it comes to cleaning marble. If you have spent a good amount of money on installing marble as floor tiles, wall tiles, countertops and several decorative structures, you need to take special care to maintain the beauty of this stone. There are several ways to maintain the brilliance and shine of this stone.

You must have found some difficult marks on your marble countertops. These are really hard to remove. What makes it so hard is the porous nature of this stone. Marble has a tendency to soak anything that is spilled on to it. So if you use acids to clean the marble, you can see etching on the marble surface. Any amount of scratch on your marble will result into the loss of beauty of this stone.

There are some precautions you need to take when working with marble. Never use vinegar or any other type of acidic products to clean marble floors. Marble is delicate and should only be cleaned with PH natural, gentle cleaners. Remember that mild acid present in vinegar can prove dangerous to the overall finish of your marble floor. Always use neutral PH cleaning products for cleaning marble. Here are some points you need to consider when cleaning marble.

First and foremost, you require taking special care of your marble. Treat the stone as a highly expensive piece of wood furniture. Never ever place glasses on marble surfaces directly. Any kind of spill on the marble will prove to be dangerous. Don't leave the spill for a long period of time clean up the spill immediately.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

Maintain your marble floor and tiles regularly to protect it. The best way is to use a terry cloth to wipe up any debris. Always wet the marble top with lukewarm water. Don't use hot water. You don't require scrubbing marble surface unless there are some hard materials present on it. Use a mild detergent to clean marble.

If you want to dry and shine the marble, use dry terry cloth or paper towels. There are times when you feel that heavy duty marble. Cleaning is not enough to clean the marble. In case, you require something more than just a mild detergent to clean the marble, you can consider purchasing a high quality commercial marble cleaning product. Always follow the directions given by the manufacturer. Purchase a commercial grade marble polish to seal the marble it required. Never ever purchase harsh cleaning products sold by certain manufacturers.

Beer, wine, tea and citrus juices can prove hazardous to the elegance of marble. Clean it with hydrogen peroxide mixed with a few drops of ammonia and rub the marble gently with the help of a clean cloth until it retains its shine.

Cooking oils or any other type of greasy products can stain marble like floor. Hence, you should clean it up immediately with some soap and water.

Make sure that you clean your marble tile daily in order to remove the dirt and keep it free form stain.

 Nowadays, most of the people come to know about the usage and purpose of natural stones. With the advancement and improvements of technology, natural stones were used almost in every buildings, homes and monuments. Without knowing the actual purpose of installing natural stone, no person will buy or install natural stones in their buildings, homes and monuments. There are many reasons available for the user to install natural stones in their building and homes. Specifically in natural stones, the most popularly used natural stone is granite and marble. Granite and marble are the most commonly used natural stones for installations. Installing granite and marble countertops, tiles, slabs, sinks is not a difficult task.

Nowadays, most of the house owners, builders and professionals tend to use granite and marble countertops, tiles, slabs and sinks for their kitchen and bathrooms. The main purpose of using this natural stones in their buildings and homes is to have an everlasting beauty and shine. Most of the people use natural stones in their houses to have a good interior and exterior designing. Most of the natural stones like granite, marble, toxic, lime stones and many other come in different colors and designs to satisfy the needs and desires of the homeowners and builders. Generally natural stones are resistant to heat, scratch, stains, spills, moistures and the stone produces a shine for a long time because of its durability and resistance.

When natural stones are used by the homeowners and builders, it gives a high standard of living because of its durability, resistance and long lasting beauty. The other main reason for the use of natural stones in homes and buildings is that, it's resistant to heat, water, moisture, scratches, spills and stains. Durability is the other essential factor provided by the natural stones. When granite and marble are used, it gives high scratch resistance to the stone, because it is a durability material. Because of its durability and high resistance, granite and marble countertops, tiles, slabs and sinks are used. Nowadays, more people tend to use granite and marble countertops for their kitchen to have easy wash. With the help of professionals and experts or installers, natural stones can be installed carefully to give complete finishing touch for their installation.

The main purpose of using granite, marble, lime stone, onyx is because of its durability, resistance, everlasting beauty, easy cleaning and high look. Because of its finite characters and features, natural stones are hardly used by every people. The other important factor in using granite and other natural stones is easy cleaning. When spills are stains are available in natural stones like granite, marble, limestone, travertine, onyx, vanity then it can be easily removed using qualified cleaning agents. This are the essential and important factors employed for selecting granite, marble and other natural stones for installation in their houses, building and monuments. Since granite, marbles and other natural stones are used for exterior and interior designing it becomes a wide range of product and almost every part of the world, the natural stones are used by the homeowners and builders.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

 When you really want to create a rewarding project, your bathroom can be your aim. When you need to be different or just simply be stylish, you can remodel your bathroom floor tiles to your liking.

You can choose the right tiles for your project, but you also need to know their composition and notable feature. Here are some of the tiles that could bring out the best on your bathroom plan:

1. Glazed Ceramic Tile - Materials baked onto its surface. Very easy to maintain and gives an impression of looking like of a natural stone. Pick up the textured types to reduce slipping especially on the bathroom floor.

2. Decorative Tile - Consists of floral patterns along with geometrical design, they can create a nice and interesting pattern when you pick the same colored tiles. You can use them to go well with other fixtures and vanities installed.

3. Mosaic Tile - These are the ones being rectangular. They are held together with a mesh backing. As there can be many grout lines to easily add more texture to reduce slipping, as they are usually small.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

4. Natural Stone Tile - This type of tile is made up of natural materials. Limestone, marble, slate, and granite are its common composition. They can easily be stained and can be a hassle when cleaning. You need to seal the limestone and slate types to keep the tile from having excessive stains. These natural-looking tiles can add up beauty to your project even if they are hard to clean.

5. Porcelain Tile - They are very resistant to staining. As they are manufactured at very high temperatures, the clay base can give out some very interesting colors. Porcelain tiles can mimic other tiles' textures to get an impression of other types of tiles.

6. Quarry Tile - These tiles can give you a lot of options but very limited designs because of the red clay being used in the manufacturing process. A sealer will give it lesser chances to stain too much.

7. Terra Cotta Tile - The tiles that are called fired clay. They are commonly found on countries such as Mexico, Spain, and Italy. They can be machine made or by hand. Terra cotta tiles need to be sealed to reduce staining. They come in various sizes, textures and shapes to give you more options for your design project.

Tiles are commonly durable. There is also being more kinds of tiles to choose from. Bathroom tiles need to be unleveled to guide the water to the drain, so you should need tiles that can be flexible such a resilient tiles, wood parquet or laminated ones, check the type of tile and ask your supplier for extra instructions.

 Resistant to heat, moisture, and stains, ceramic tile is an excellent choice for a counter top. If you've never worked with ceramic tile before, installing kitchen counter top tile is an ideal first-time project because it's a horizontal and relatively small surface. The keys to a successful tile job are planning and surface preparation.

Before selecting your tile, take careful measurements of your counter top. In calculating the number of tiles required to cover it, be sure to allow for any specialty tiles, such as those needed for edging or a backsplash. (Manufacturers make a number of edge tiles, the most common being the bullnose shown in step 1 in Tiling the Countertop Surface.) To allow for cutting and breakage, order slightly more than you need; the rule of thumb is to buy 10 percent extra. Once you've made your purchase, lay out the tile on the countertop to ensure you have enough for the job and to see where you will need to make cuts.

Building a Substrate
Counter top tiles should rest on a surface that is solid and able to withstand moisture. The front edge must be thick enough to accommodate the edging you have chosen, and the substrate needs to be level in both directions.

In most cases, a layer of 3/4-inch plywood topped with 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch cement backerboard will do the job. Although a standard kitchen counter top is 25 inches deep and a backsplash is commonly 4 to 6 inches high, you may want to modify those dimensions slightly in order to minimize cutting of tiles.

Before you begin work, protect the base cabinets from damage and falling mortar by covering them with plastic sheeting or construction paper. Also position a drop cloth on the floor.

Don't forget about the kitchen sink. If you intend to install a flush-mounted sink, do so before the backerboard is in place. If you're planning an undermount sink, install it after the backerboard or after the tiling is finished. A typical self-rimming sink is installed after the counter top, as discussed on Installing a Counter Top Sink.

Cut the plywood pieces so they overlap the cabinets by about an inch, and install them with the factory edges facing out. Check the entire surface to make sure it is level as you attach the plywood; if necessary, remove screws, install shims, and re-drive the screws.

Backerboard is easy to cut and install: You simply scribe and snap it, then attach it to the plywood foundation with special galvanized screws. Once backerboard is in place, cover the screw heads with thinset mortar, tape the seams with fiberglass mesh tape, and fill in with thinset mortar.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

 To maintain a slate floor, it should be kept clean like any other floor, scrubbing as necessary and mopping between times.

To scrub a cleft floor, use a strong solution of floor detergent. Spread it over the surface and let it stand for several minutes. Then, with fresh solution, scrub with a stiff brush. Abrasive powders are less desirable as they sometimes leave residue.

After the slate has been thoroughly cleaned, rinsed and allowed to completely dry, it will benefit from the application of a protective treatment. The word "protective" is not to imply that the slate needs protection, but that a sealer will allow it to be cleaned easier in the future.

Sealers

Slate, supplied in the standard "natural cleft" finish should be sealed. The sealer best adapted for slate should be of low viscosity and less than 25% in solids. Care should be taken to assure that the slate as well as the grout joints are totally dry and the floor clean prior to application. Dampness in the joints can cause treatments to turn white. Most all sealers are a permanent treatment and are very difficult to remove. A sample piece or small area should be treated first to assure that this is the desired end finish.

Traffic Patterns

Most heavy use areas will eventually develop "traffic patterns". It may appear that the slate is wearing, but more often than not it is the finish. Sealers are relatively permanent, and a record of the finish and manufacturer should be kept as some sealers are not compatible with others.

Stone is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface; clean spills immediately.

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop . Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water . Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to a gallon of water).

Do's and Don'ts

• Do dust mop floors frequently
• Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
• Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
• Do blot up spills immediately
• Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
• Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces
• Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
• Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers

Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

Slate is a metamorphic rock, and is defined as a lavered stone that can be split into thicknesses ranging from 8 to 14 mm. The rock is formed when ocean or riverbed sediments are compressed and heated by the crust of the earth.

Very few kitchen floors have the visual impact of slate which has the warmth and elegance of a natural stone. Slate flooring can provide good insulation from both heat and cold. It is known for long life and durability. Slate is resistance to chipping, cracking and abrasion.

Slate is formed beneath the surface of the earth during cooling and solidification of magma. Magma is made up of minerals such as clay, silt, mica, and chlorite. Pressures occurring in the crust of the earth then squeeze these minerals into parallel layers.

Slate has long been used as a building material due to decorating versatility, natural beauty, softness and durability. The natural colors, textures and other inherent qualities of slate match all the varied requirements of the modern kitchen.

Slate kitchen flooring is as durable as ceramic tile, or stone flooring. But also like these other materials a slate floor can be hard on the feet. Stone and slate will stain unless sealed and can be slippery. 

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

Natural slate kitchen flooring is available in such an array of styles and textures due fact that slate contains clay and silt particles. Slate flooring is available in shades of black, green, brown, and gold. No two pieces of slate are alike resulting in each slate floor being unique and one-of-a-kind.

It is also available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns. Natural color variations in the slate ensure that your kitchen flooring will be unique. Among the advantages of slate kitchen flooring is that it is practically indestructible. Slate is a good choice if you want a flooring material that will be long lasting. Another good feature about slate is that it can be so striking in appearance that it really jumps out at you. It provides all the warmth and elegance of a natural stone.

Slate is usually boxed in mixed sizes and often in mixed colors. Slate is also available in custom sizes for special applications. It is priced about the same as other kinds of tile. Slate is characterized as a hard, dense, and fine-grained surface that requires little or no maintenance. Slate kitchen flooring can produce a natural warm look to any kitchen.

Slate flooring are installed by gluing to the flooring. The glue is a cement-based material that contains grains of silica sand. The installation process includes a sub-floor preparation, joints that a tightly spaced, and finishing up with grouting, cleaning and sealing. Because of the micro-crystalline composition slate tiles are very stain resistant after they are sealed to the flooring. The procedure used in laying of slate kitchen flooring is similar to that of laying a ceramic tile. Slate is a better material for flooring than wood because it will not shrink or expand with changes in the weather. 

 If you are hunting for durable kitchen flooring, then you must consider limestone flooring as your top most choice. Available in subtle patterns and pale, neutral colors, limestone makes a great choice for modern kitchen flooring and design. It is an ideal choice because it provides hardness, low porosity and has eye catching features. The stone is extremely durable and comes with oil resistant properties.

Limestone should be sealed properly in order to prevent staining and to maintain its look. Usually, this stone is available for consumers in a honed look. Most homeowners, architects and designers prefer limestone flooring due to the soft and subtle colors available to them.

If you consider limestone flooring for your kitchen, you can expect it to resist freezing and thawing conditions. In short, limestone can withstand any atmospheric condition. It is highly durable and can be maintained easily.

The flooring made of limestone has been in use for over thousands of years now. This stone is a type of sedimentary stone composed of 50% of calcite or calcium carbonate content in conjunction with some grains, crushed sea shells, sea animal's bones, fossils and dinosaur bones.

Limestone reacts to acidic substances such as wine and vinegar.

You would be surprised to hear that limestone is very soft. In fact it is softer than igneous rocks such as granite. However, certain types of hard and dense limes stone also exist. This feature makes limestone the best choice for kitchen flooring. The stone features non-slip surface and can be easily stained. The compressive strength of limestone is 30,000 lbs.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

You can find limestone kitchen floor tiles in a variety of colors such as black, white, brown, gray and yellow. If you are looking for pure limestone, you can go for white or off-white colors. Limestone is available in various colors due to the impurities present in it such as iron oxide, clay, sand and other such materials.

You would also find various types of finishes under the category of limestone due to its' varying shade and surface appearance. These stones vary in character. Almost all types of limestone kitchen flooring tiles are polished, brushed and water worm.

You can find that limestone has a tendency to vary in hardness, porosity and density. These features vary from one stone to another. Some hard and dense limestone can be easily finished to a polished or glossy and shimmering surface. You cannot polish softer stones to a high gloss finish.

Limestone has always been the best choice of architects and several landmarks around the world. North America and Europe have used this stone for creating various architectures and buildings.

Several public buildings including train stations, banks and other structures built in the early 20th and late 19th centuries. The stone has the potential to add to the character and depth to any kitchen.

Use limestone and you would be effectively adding a unique style to your kitchen. Limestone countertops are practical and great to look at. These are also very inexpensive.

 Low maintenance, impressive show and longevity - you get it all with granite as compared to any other stone, but subject to certain tips and tricks that must be kept in mind while cleaning the granite natural stone countertops in your kitchen and bathroom.

Here are some step-by-step instructions on taking care of a granite countertop.

•  A very sturdy stone, second only to diamond, granite is generally unaffected by most chemicals. Yet it is always advisable to use only neutral, mild and vegetable oil based cleaners in the company of scrubbing pads to clean granite counter tops.
• As soil can prove to be abrasive and may damage the surface of the granite countertop, it is suggested to steer clear of dirt and dust as often as possible.
• To go about the cleaning operation, wet mop the floor with the cleaning solution and leave it as it is for some minutes. This lets the dirt dissolve in the liquid solution and facilitates dirt removal effectively upon second time mopping. The rinse water for the mop must be changed often for best results. 
•  Wipe out the remaining soil that might have stuck to the floor and dried with the help of a suitable clean cloth like you polish or shine something made of metal.
• You may occasionally use an electric scrubbing machine or a rather forceful hand movement with a stronger solution of the neutral cleaning agent, to get rid of the tougher stains on the granite counter tops.

Avoid getting acid on the countertop

• Though granite is a reliable stone that can withstand just about any hot and harsh item on its surface, it is not prudent to leave acidic (lemon, vinegar, soft drink) liquids on its surface for long, especially if the granite counter top is polished. Polished granite countertop is rather delicate and must be treated with more care.
• As harsh cleansers may discolor the stone, it is always wise to choose a ph balanced dishwashing liquid as a cleaning product.
• Do not use granite as a cutting board as the same may damage the surface with light cut marks and eventually an abrasive surface. 
• As granite constitutes of many minerals in essence, presence of certain minerals renders granite an easy prey to scratching and chipping or breaking. Therefore, it is only logical to avoid dragging utensils, pans, pots and appliances across the granite counter top.  

Use sealant once a year

• As regular polishing is essential to keep the stone as good as new forever, it is suggested that a penetrating sealant, as referred by the home improvement store, must be applied once a year. DO NOT go for a stone sealer that shall not penetrate granite, as these harsh solvents are hard to remove eventually.
• Mend minor damages to the surface of the granite counter top by polishing with a fine steel wool. Scrape off a hard substance stuck to the surface of the countertop with a hard and thin object like your debit card. 
• Conspicuous cracking and chipping must be dealt with the help of professional help.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

 You are planning to get your roof built or redone, and then you may have got confused regarding the selection of roofing slates. There are many types of roofing slate materials available and you my select either man made roofing slate or natural roofing slate like that of stone

However, roofing slate made of natural stone is very heavy and very expensive too. They make a heavy material for roofing slate. The kind of roofing slate that is available for you and you may use depends to large extent on the area where you live. These materials also need high degree of skill and a lot of structural reinforcing before you can install them. This is primarily due to the fact that they are so heavy. Hence you must consider these factors before settling for them.

On the other hand, men made artificial roofing slate are much cheaper and lighter. They closely resemble the original natural stone slates and thus these entire positive characteristics make the man made roofing slate the most preferred choice for home builders for roofing slate. Roofing slates are available in a wide range of materials, colors, sizes and shapes. All these characteristics make man made roofing slates a favorite of builders and house owners alike.

If you have set your heart to install real stone roofing slate in spite of the expenses involved then you may definitely opt for it because they are after all extremely durable and elegant. In spite of being very heavy and stylish, many people have a fancy for these stones. If you want an expensive look to your house and are looking for a high end look to your house you may consider installing natural stones. 

However you may have to limit your choices to the color of the roofing slate available in your locality or you may consider getting the color of your choice from the area they are found, although the shipping costs may turn out to be quite high. Do keep in mind that you should always get these natural roof slates installed by an experienced craftsman. It is not something that an inexperienced or an amateur person can do. For proper installation and prevention of any leak, and to make it strong, sturdy and durable, it is essential that you get it done by a professional who can properly install and handle the expensive stones. An amateur may ruin the stones or may not be able to install them properly, thus spoiling the look of the house.

Man made roof slates are very popular choice as roofing material. The man made roofing slate may be made of fiber, cement or may be molded from a combination of resin, glass fiber and slate dust. There are many advantages of using man made roofing slate. The most apparent advantage is the cost factor. These slates are much cheaper than the natural slates. It isn't that man made roofing slate are the cheapest of all the varieties available, they are still costlier than other varieties available but if you want to get the look of natural slates without spending a fortune on them then these slates are the best option.. Another positive factor about these roofing slates is that they are available in a wide range of shapes colors and textures. You don't have to limit your choice to the native colors available in your area but you may choose any style and color that you fancy. Hence before you decide upon the roofing slate for your house, do keep these factors in mind and select accordingly.

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

 Using stone in masonry projects can add value and luxury to any environment. Masonry stones are used for countertops, floors, walls and patios. Each project has a variety of surfacing stones that can be used depending on your personal style. The most common stones include marble, granite, travertine, limestone and tile.

Steps

1Step One

Plan a masonry project. You must know your project before you pick a surfacing stone for a masonry project. The type of project narrows your choices based on industry standards and durability. For example, you don't want to use travertine tile for a driveway or marble for your floor.

2Step Two

Pick a pattern. The type of surfacing stone you choose may depend on the pattern. You need to decide what colors to use. Also you need to know the size of the stone that will be used in the masonry project. You need to pick a surfacing stone that lends itself to your pattern.

3Step Three

Consider problems caused by wear and tear. Each type of stone wears differently with age. Common problems include chipping, cracking, crumbling and pitting. You need to find out what problems typically occur with your main choices for stone. 

http://www.stone-china.org

http://www.chinastonesupplier.us

http://www.china-stones.us

http://www.stone.cc

http://www.zongyi.cn

http://www.chinanaturalstone.com

http://www.india-stone.in

http://www.stone-china.biz

http://www.stoneproduct.us

4Step Four

Find out what type of maintenance is required. Different stone types need to be cleaned in specific ways. You need to know how to clean, when to clean it and with what to clean it. You must also know if need to use a sealant and how often it must be reapplied.

5Step Five

Choose between natural stone and manufactured stone. A manufactured stone is a man-made concrete product. You need to consider a manufactured stone if you have a small budget. The manufactured stone looks like natural stone but costs less to purchase and install.

6Step Six

Decide if you are going to do the work. You need to pick a surfacing stone equal to your personal skills if you plan to do the work. Some stone types like tile are easier to install than others. You must consider hiring a contractor for more expensive stones like marble. You should ask to see a portfolio prior to hiring a contractor.