| Finding Travertine, Marble, or Granite Slabs and Tile for your Natural Stone Fireplace. Brought to you by Cole Farms, Inc. |
After you have planned, measured and sketched out what you want your granite, travertine or marble fireplace to look like and have either decided to self install or have found an installer, you will need to begin looking for the natural stone that you will use for the project. The three main choices are travertine, marble or granite. These materials come in slabs that are 3/4" - 1 1/4" thick and in tiles that are 3/8" - 1/2" thick. Tile generally come in 12" x 12", 18" x 18" and 18" x 36" sizes. We used 18" x 36" tiles to avoid too many grout lines. Slabs vary in size from 3' x 6' to 5' x 10'. You generally pay by the square foot for either tile or slabs. Most projects will require the use of both slabs and tile so it will be important to find materials that match or compliment each other. Our project required both slabs and tile. We were able to find matching stone. If you cannot find a very close match then the next best method is to find complimentary colors. Your main goal at this point in the project is to familiarize yourself with the colors and types of stone that are available as well as get an idea of how much the materials are going to cost.
If you are going to use an installer, this is the point that you would want to get them involved in choosing the stone. They can give you an accurate idea of how many square feet of stone you are going to need in both tile and/or slabs. Plus, if they are friends with the stone supplier they can normally get you a little better price. If you do not have an installer and plan on using one then you would look at the choices and then get some guidance from the stone supplier as to who they recommend for installation. In any event, before you buy, have your installer look over the tile and slabs. If you are going to self install then just get as much guidance as you can from the stone dealer. They often have tools you can use or rent and will give you assistance as long as you are getting the materials from them.
You will find below an index of the articles that I have put together on this subject. I have tried to cover building a granite, travertine or marble fireplace hearth, surround and mantle using a step by step approach.
Step by Step Articles on Building a Travertine, Marble or Granite Fireplace Surround.
Intro - An Overview of Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround, Mantel and Hearth - Overview of our articles on Building a Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 1 - Sketching and Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround - Measuring, planning and sketching out your Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 2 - Finding an Stone Installer - Choosing a craftsman to build your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 3 - Finding your Materials - Choosing your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 4 - Finding your Materials 2 - Finding Marble, Travertine, Granite, Concrete or Cement Columns for your Fireplace
Article 5 - Installing the Fireplace Hearth - Installing your Marble, Travertine, Granite, or Limestore Fireplace Hearth
Article 6 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Surround
Article 7 - Installing the Fireplace Mantel - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Mantel
Article 8 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 9 - Grouting the Fireplace Surround - Grouting Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 10 - Enhancing and Sealing your Fireplace Surround - Applying Enhancer/Sealer to your Travertine or Natural Stone Fireplace Surround.
Picture Page 1 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
Picture Page 2 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
