sponsored by STONE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Proper selection, preparation, installation and maintenance spell success in stone projects For this month’s Stone sec- tion, we went to Roy Viana, Dal- Tile Director of Natural Stone and Slab and Carlos Chiu, Dal-Tile Product Manager of Stone Tile and Sourced Mosaics to get an overview of issues pertinent to stone selection, maintenance, and installation for the professional tile contractor. The first step in a stone installa- tion is to select the stone, not just for aesthetics, but also to be sure the characteristics of the stone match the intended application. Both Viana and Chiu agreed that natural stones – granite, marble, soapstone, limestone, travertine, etc. – all have specific techni- cal characteristics that make them unique, and make them per- form differently in a given setting depending on use and customer lifestyle. Match stone to application Chiu recommended knowing the place and type of environment in which the installation will take place – and suggested answering these questions in order to ensure the natural stone is a match for the application: • Is it an interior or exterior appli- cation? • Will it be subject to freezing and thawing conditions? • Is slip resistance a concern? • Will the stone be in contact with water or humidity? • Will it be a floor or wall applica- tion? • Is it a high or low traffic area? “Once you know the answers to these questions you will be able to narrow down the stones that are suitable for your application,” he said. Viana added, “Take into account the color, pattern and texture of the stone, paying special attention By Lesley Goddin Carlos Chiu Roy Viana 68 TileLetter | February 2018