Use and Care Manual

M S International, Inc.
Premium Natural Stones
Page 2 of 4
• Limestone
The muted, soft tones of limestone are perfect for today's casual and comfortable
lifestyles. Available in hues of soft beige and tan, either polished or honed,
limestone products are ideal for bathrooms, fireplaces, countertops and flooring
in low-traffic, informal areas.
• Travertine
Valued for its banded, pitted “distressed” appearance, travertine adds rich,
distinctive character to a variety of indoor and outdoor building projects. Its
patterns and veining effects were formed by hot spring water percolating through
underground limestone. When used for interior applications, travertine is often
filled with cement, grout or resin and sealed to create a smooth, stain-resistant
surface
• Onyx
A translucent stone with a glossy, polished surface, onyx is composed of
crystalline silica and closely related to agate, a semi-precious stone. Often found
in caves, onyx is formed by the slow flow of cold, carbonated spring water. Onyx
is available in pastel shades of yellow, brown, green, orange, and white
3. How Natural Stone tiles differ from Ceramic tiles?
The most important difference is this – Natural Stone is a product of nature, and
Ceramics are man-made. Most man-made materials cannot compare in durability to
natural ones. While damaged ceramic tiles usually need replacing, natural stone usually
needs minimal restoration if stained or scratched.
4. Where in my home can I use natural stones?
Natural Stone can be used on nearly every surface both inside and outside the home,
including floors, kitchen countertops, vanity tops, bathrooms, patios, walkways,
fireplaces, facades, wall cladding, and garden landscaping.
5. Why can some stones not be used for exterior applications?
Some types of stone are better suited for interior applications than exterior because they
cannot withstand harsh weather extremes and may crack, crumble, or fade. Also, stones
with naturally slip-resistant surfaces are better for outdoor walkways or patios than those
with smooth, polished surfaces. Some multicolored slates bleed color upon contact with
water.
6. What are different kinds of Stone finishes?
The different finishes of Natural Stones are:
• Natural Cleft
Unique to slate, it has a slightly uneven surface that is still usable for flooring.
One side (back side) can be gauged to facilitate ease of “thin set” installation.
• Polished
Grinding, sanding, and buffing produces a high gloss, mirror-like surface.