Frequently Asked Questions

The premium Jerusalem Stone Tiles are certainly not cheap. In all stones tiles there are selections of first second and commercial quality. Cheap prices usually mean commercial quality product. Commercial means material that was left after the best was selected. Also there are natural stone tiles from Turkey and Egypt which have been labeled as Jerusalem Stone these materials are inferior in all criteria of quality in our opinion. At Romanstone we believe we have some of the best Jerusalem Limestone Flooring available and invite clients to come and see for themselves.

Jerusalem Stone is the name given to natural stone quarried from the east of the Jordan River on the east to the Mediterranean west, and from the southern Port of Eilat on the Red Sea to The Galilee and Haifa on the north. It is mostly limestone, dolomitic limestone or dolomite, and tends to be of a gold or reddish hue, though some varieties are grey or nearly white. Hence the name Jerusalem Stone was born.

All monitors depict colour differently, natural stone is inherently difficult to photograph. So unless you are familiar with the product it is always best to order a sample.

Yes, all natural stone tile materials require sealing to protect against dirt and staining. It is very important to follow the instructions supplied with a sealer to obtain maximum protection. The most common problems associated with natural materials involve sealing, mainly due to people not following the simple instructions on the container. Another important issue is that the tiles must be perfectly clean and dry before applying the sealer. Which sealer to use, will be decided by the type of stone and the final finish you require at the end. See link www.filachim.com

Quotations for laying natural stone tiles can vary and is often dependent on the area in which you live. Quotes can be from £30 to £60 per Sqm. We strongly recommend you use a competent fitter who can provide a reference or have a look at previous work if possible.

It is impossible to generalize about the strength of natural stone. Some limestone is soft, whilst most is very hard. The same is true of sandstone. That is why it is important to select the type of stone you require very carefully and seek advice from a specialist supplier such as Romanstone from the outset.

Even very hard natural stone will scratch - it is all part of the wearing process. Eventually the scratches will disappear into the general patina of the floor. One can argue that a five-year old stone floor will be even more attractive than a brand new one.

Not necessarily. Stone will absorb the ambient room temperature to a great extent and so usually feels only slightly cooler. Stone is an extremely good conductor of heat. It also works brilliantly well with under floor heating, as it disperses the heat so well.

Once you have sealed a natural stone floor it does not generally require re-sealing with the sealers we sell, although if a treatment of wax has been applied this can be re-applied as when necessary. This however does not mean you do not have to maintain your floor by way of regular brushing and mopping with a mild detergent like FILA CLEANER see link www.filachim.com

Natural Stone flooring is beautiful and will add a stunning feature to any home. Stone is the only material that improves with age, it lasts a lifetime and its natural variation adds character. It is hardwearing, very practical and gains its own patina over time. It is worth investing in natural stone as it lasts for years and will enhance the value of your home.

Natural stone flooring comes in many styles and can suit both a traditional and contemporary setting. It is a very adaptable material that is at home in a country cottage as well as an urban townhouse or apartment. Ideal for hallways, kitchens, dining rooms, conservatories and bathrooms and increasingly being used in living areas and bedrooms. Stone goes well with other natural materials such as wood and works particularly well with underfloor heating. Natural stone flooring is unique as every tile is a one off and this look cannot be recreated by man-made material. Fossils, shells and crystal veins are all marks of authenticity.

The price of the stone depends on several factors, including where the stone comes from, how unique the source or colour is, and how hard it is to cut and make into tiles. The more expensive stones tend to be very rare or have special characteristics.

Some people may be looking for a stone floor that looks as though it had been walked on for decades or centuries. Aged stone floors are perfect when looking for a sympathetic material for period homes or renovation projects. A tumbled, brushed or chipped edge stone floor in a repeating pattern, with different sized tiles mixed together, works particularly well for that authentic antique look and complements other natural materials such as original timber beams and old wooden doors. Antiqued unfilled travertine with a brushed surface and softened edges are ideal for barn conversions, restoration developments and listed buildings where a textured surface and rustic style is required. For an eclectic look, aged stone can be mixed successfully with minimalist furniture and accessories.

Honed limestone has a smooth matt surface and straight lines, which lends itself to clean uncluttered modern rooms or classical interiors. When creating a stylish clean look, the larger the better and we have wide choice of different limestones in tiles that are 60 centimetres square. Dark colours also suit contemporary interiors when teamed with light coloured walls and in an area with abundant natural light and large windows.

No, you need incredibly hard diamonds to cut stone so image how hard it is to damage. Stone develops its own sheen when it is walked on just as gold jewellery develops a patina when it is worn. Shoes abrading the surface of the floor over months and years create this beautiful patina.

Yes, a natural stone is a practical and elegant choice for your conservatory floor. Natural stone flooring with a honed finish is the perfect natural background for your favourite plants and the matt surface dissipates the bright daylight. Unlike wood, carpet or vinyl, most pale stones will not fade in direct sunlight.

Don't worry – a properly sealed stone floor will initially repel the liquid. The silicone sealant will buy you time as it protects the stone with an invisible barrier which means that any liquid will appear as droplets on the surface of the stone. Wipe off the wine or oil immediately and then wash it with warm water and some stone soap. If wine, vinegar of food acid is left on the floor for a period then it may start to penetrate the sealant and etch the stone’s surface. However, any etching normally disappears in time as the stone is walked over.

If you pour an egg cup of water on to your natural stone floor it should pool on the surface in a large droplet. Leave the water for ten minutes, when you return, it should remain on the surface of the stone. If the water has absorbed into the floor and left a dark patch then the floor requires additional sealant. To test stone wall tiles, splash water onto your tiles and the liquid should run down the tiles like rain drops running down a window pane.

To cut stone you need a diamond tipped blade. Cutting porcelain or ceramic is much easier, so it stands to reason that stone is harder wearing. When the surface of porcelain or ceramic is damaged it is not repairable because the biscuit is exposed which can also be unhygienic. A damaged porcelain or ceramic floor will have to be ripped up or tiled over. Because stone is stone all the way through, it can be restored on site without having to destroy the whole floor. This makes stone a very sustainable choice for flooring because of its longevity.

Yes, choose mid-tone colours such as beiges, coffee colours and mushroom colours that have lots of fossil and colour variation which are great for hiding everyday wear and camouflage your children’s muddy footprints! In addition, many common childhood allergies are greatly improved by replacing carpets that can harbour dust mites with hard flooring such as natural stone. Certain natural stone floors which have a high abrasion resistance are excellent for pet owners, as dog and cat hairs become easy to sweep up. With most stone flooring there is no more hours of scrubbing carpets to clean up your pets “little accidents”, just a quick mop.