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Natural stone is typically sold as a single piece and requires processing by the merchant before it can be installed. When a customer purchases a whole stone, the price is usually calculated per square meter. After the merchant measures the area, the stone is sent to a processing plant where it is cut, chamfered, or shaped into special patterns before being delivered to the customer. For large-scale installations like flooring, professional construction teams are often involved in the on-site installation.
Since natural stone and tiles look similar in appearance, price, and function, many people believe there's little difference between them. However, experts explain that they are fundamentally different materials. Any rock that has been mined or processed is considered "stone," which is more of a natural product. After cutting and polishing, its shape may change, but its composition remains the same. Tiles, on the Other hand, are man-made products created from raw materials like clay, quartz sand, and metal oxides through processes such as grinding, mixing, pressing, glazing, and sintering. These chemical reactions produce new substances, making tiles artificial stones.
After purchasing tiles, you can hire workers to install them at home. However, natural stone needs to be processed before it can be laid. This often leads customers to think that artificial stone is more expensive than ceramic tiles. For example, a beige African natural stone might cost around 700 yuan per square meter after processing, while a similar domestic tile could be priced at about 620 yuan per square meter.
Some people, including certain designers, believe that natural stone is prone to discoloration due to its porous nature, making it unsuitable for interior use. In reality, both natural and artificial stones have capillary pores. Most living rooms don’t need to worry about discoloration, but if the room is on an upper floor without a basement, applying waterproof paint on the stone and concrete sides can help prevent issues.
**Expert Advice**
**Not Recommended for Large-Scale Use at Home**
Natural stone has unique, irregular textures and patterns, which make it popular among designers for its aesthetic appeal. However, because it’s made from natural materials, there are environmental factors that are hard to control. While it can be used in home decoration, it’s not advisable for large-scale applications.
**Stone vs. Tile**
- **Material**
Natural stone is a natural material, while tiles are man-made, typically made from clay.
- **Texture**
Natural stone has a less uniform texture and may have surface cracks or oil stains. Tiles, on the other hand, are denser and less likely to absorb liquids.
- **Color Variation**
Natural stone often has noticeable color differences due to its natural formation, which cannot be fully corrected during processing. This gives it a more natural and atmospheric look. Tiles, however, can be manually adjusted to reduce color variation.
- **Shape**
Stone can be customized according to specific design needs. Tiles, due to manufacturing limitations, have more restrictions on their shapes.
- **Craftsmanship**
Natural stone includes types like sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous, and artificial stone. Common building stones include granite, marble, pebbles, and artificial stone. The production process varies depending on the type and material. Tiles are made from refractory metal oxides and semi-metal oxides through grinding, mixing, pressing, glazing, and sintering.
- **Installation**
Paving stone is typically installed using dry-hanging techniques, which involve fixing metal brackets to the wall and then attaching the stone with adhesive. This method is more complex compared to tile installation, which only requires the use of adhesive.