FAQ - Fixing and Sealing Below
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Can stone tiles be applied to timber floors?
Yes. Strengthening the floor with plywood is often advisable when fixing stone floor tiles. A flexible floor tile adhesive and floor tile grout must be used to fix floor tiles. Make sure that the floor does not flex under the weight of the tiles, depending on which type of floor tile i.e. travertine tiles, marble tiles, limestone floor tiles it's best to calculate the weight for the right type of floor tile.

Does a floor have to be level to fix stone tiles to?
Yes, although minor bumps and hollows can be leveled by applying more or less floor tile adhesive. A dry level screed is ideal for laying stone flooring. The floor must be clean, dry and grease free before laying any stone floor tiles.

Is under floor heating possible with stone tiles?
Yes, stone is an ideal conductive surface for under floor heating. Floor tiles and stone tiles will allow the heat to rise naturally.

Why do stone tiles need sealing?
Stone is porous, so every time you walk or spill a liquid on a stone tile that hasn't been sealed you run the risk of it staining. We strongly recommend all natural stone floor tiles to be sealed. There are sealing agents for travertine, limestone, Jerusalem stone and a variety of finishes for stone floor tiles.

Does sealing prevent stains on stone tiles?
Not necessarily so. It gives you a reaction time to wipe up the spillage before it soaks into the stone floor. Anything that is water-based should be kept at the surface.

How often do stone floors need resealing?
This very much depends on how much usage the stone floor gets and foot traffic on the floor. We suggest that you reseal your stone floor every 3 to 5 years.

How can I check that my stone floor is sealed correctly?
Pour a small amount of water on a stone tile. If after 10 minutes it has soaked in, then your stone floor needs resealing.

Will a sealer make a stone floor slippery?
Sealant should not make a stone floor slippery as it is absorbed into the stone. Some stone floor are aged naturally and other like travertine have a natural texture which will help give the stone floor more grip

What type of adhesive and grout do I require on my stone floor?
There are different types of adhesives and grouts for different stone and situations. We have all the specification on travertine, limestone, slate with information on aged stone for every type of stone floor. Please contact a member of Beswickstone staff on 01285 869670 for advice.