Stone-specific thin-set
Natural stone needs a modified thin-set formulated for stone, and often a different spacing than ceramic or porcelain to account for its irregular edges.
Honed versus polished finishes
A honed finish is ground to a smooth, matte surface, which hides scratches and etching better and is often preferred for floors and high-traffic areas. A polished finish is buffed to a reflective shine that shows off the stone's veining and color most dramatically, but it also shows scratches, etching, and wear more readily over time. We help you choose the finish based on where the stone is going, not just how a single sample piece looks.
What proper stone installation requires
Sealing before and after grouting
Porous stones like marble and travertine are typically sealed before grouting to prevent staining, then sealed again after the job is finished.
Wider or narrower joints by stone type
Tumbled and cleft stone often needs wider grout joints than a rectified porcelain tile to account for size variation between individual pieces.
Ongoing sealing awareness
We tell you honestly how often your specific stone should be re-sealed, since it varies by stone type and how the surface is used.
Higher-end residential and commercial applications
Natural stone shows up most often in kitchen backsplashes and floors, primary bathroom floors and shower walls, and feature walls meant to be a room's focal point. In commercial settings, it appears in lobbies, reception areas, and other spaces where the goal is a higher-end finish rather than pure durability under heavy foot traffic. We help clients weigh where stone earns its cost against where a porcelain tile made to look like stone might be the more practical choice.
How Much Does Natural Stone or Marble Tile Installation Cost in Ottawa?
Stone pricing varies more than ceramic or porcelain because of material cost and sealing needs, so the range below is a starting point ahead of your written quote.
Marble or granite tile
$15 – $30 per sq ft installed
Includes stone-specific thin-set and spacing
Sealing before and after grouting included
Pricing depends on stone type and finish
Travertine or tumbled stone
$15 – $30 per sq ft installed
Wider grout joints to suit irregular edges
Sealing included as part of the install
Material cost is a bigger driver than labour here
Bedroom-size floor, about 150 sq ft
$2,250 – $4,500
Base install at the rate above
Before old tile removal or subfloor repair
Price your exact size in the calculator
What the Price Covers
Based on the rates above. Add-ons come from our cost calculator.
Included
- Included: Stone-specific thin-set and spacing
- Included: Sealing before and after grouting
Not included
- Not included: Old tile removal, $3 – $6 per sq ft
What the Standards Require
A stiffer floor for stone
Natural stone needs a floor twice as stiff as ceramic tile: movement limited to L/720 of the joist span, against L/360 for ceramic and porcelain. An older floor can need reinforcing before stone goes down.
Flatness before large tile
For tile with any edge 15 inches or longer, the floor can be out of flat by no more than 1/8 inch over 10 feet and 1/16 inch over 2 feet. We check this before quoting, because levelling adds time and cost.
Full contact in wet areas
In showers and other wet areas, tile standards call for at least 95% mortar contact, which matters more with stone because water trapped behind it can stain from below.
Our Process
How a Natural Stone Installation Is Handled
1
Assess the stone and the space
We review the stone you've chosen or help you choose one, and check the substrate it will be installed over.
2
Choose finish and layout
We help you decide between a honed or polished finish based on where the stone is going and how it will be used.
3
Seal, then set with stone-specific materials
Porous stone is sealed before grouting to prevent staining, then set with a modified thin-set formulated for stone.
4
Grout, seal again, and walk through
Grout is applied, the finished stone is sealed a second time, and we walk you through ongoing care before the job wraps up.
Tiles Experts provides professional natural stone and marble tile installation throughout Ottawa, Ontario. Stone tile – marble, travertine, slate, limestone, and granite among them – gets chosen for higher-end residential kitchens and bathrooms, feature walls, and select commercial spaces where the natural variation and depth of real stone can't be fully replicated by manufactured tile. It's also a material that demands more from the installer, since every slab and piece behaves a little differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does natural stone tile need to be sealed?
Most natural stone, including marble, travertine, and limestone, is porous and needs to be sealed, typically before grouting to prevent grout haze from staining the stone, and again after the installation is complete. Denser stones like granite and slate need less frequent sealing, but we'll tell you what your specific stone requires.
What's the difference between honed and polished marble?
Honed marble has a smooth, matte finish that hides scratches and etching better, which makes it a practical choice for floors. Polished marble has a glossy, reflective finish that shows off the stone's natural veining most dramatically, but it also shows wear, scratches, and etching from acidic spills more visibly over time.
Why does marble etch and what does that mean?
Marble and other calcium-based stones react with acidic substances, like lemon juice or vinegar, leaving a dull mark called etching where the finish has been chemically altered. It's different from a scratch and can't be fully polished out without professional refinishing, which is a real consideration for a marble kitchen counter or floor near a cooking area.
Do you install stone differently than ceramic or porcelain tile?
Yes. Natural stone requires a modified thin-set formulated for stone rather than a standard thin-set, and grout joint spacing is often adjusted because natural stone pieces have more size variation edge to edge than manufactured tile. Tumbled or cleft-finish stone in particular often needs a wider joint to look right.
Is natural stone tile a good fit for a bathroom floor?
It can be, as long as it's properly sealed and maintained, since stone is more sensitive to moisture and acidic cleaners than porcelain. We'll walk you through the maintenance a specific stone requires so you can decide if it fits your bathroom and your routine, or whether porcelain is the more practical choice for that space.