F.A.Q. ~ frequently asked questions
Q: What does 'loose' mean?
A: Stones sold as 'loose' do not come on a mesh backing. They are weighed and sold by a 4 lbs. increment, which is equivalent to 1 square foot. These are pre-cut stones that are arranged by the tile-setter, much like installing mosaic tile pieces.
Q: Why would you use loose?
A: It is important to keep in mind that when covering a large area loose stones are ideal instead of the matted products. Large square footage areas, when covered by matted tiles, will leave an obvious seam. This can be obvious to the eye, leaving a distinguishing separation in the final product. Example, if covering a shower pan 3 ft. X 3 ft. in size, then you would want to use 9 sq. ft. loose; using matted tiles, could leave a noticeable outline. Though loose stones may take more time to install, the end result is seamless, when used to cover large areas.
Q: How to go about installation of loose stone tile?
A: The application of the loose stones is much like creating a mosaic from broken ceramic tile. With this installation, you would use loose stones, instead of fragmented ceramics tiles. When you install them, arrange the stones in a complimentary interlocking fashion, so they fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces . Though installing loose stones may take more time, the end result is seamless, leaving no outline.
Q: What is 'matted'?
A: 'Matted' stone tiles are pre-measured sliced stone tile with a mesh mounting, allowing for easy installation in a defined area. Available in sizes: 12×12, 6×12 and 4×12. See our product chart for tile-line availability.
Q: What lines of tile are offered?
A: We have three lines of tile: Superior Stone, Petoskey Stone & Mohave Stone. Superior Stones are collected from Lake Superior. Mohave Stones are from the Arizona Mohave Desert. Petoskey Stones are collected locally in the Northwestern Michigan area.
With the matted Superior Stone Tiles, there is the option to purchase it to include some Petoskeys. The Petoskeys included in the matted Superior line, compliment the array of colors and textures found in the Lake Superior stones. Pestoskeys are also sold as loose and can be purchased in fractions of a foot if desired. Many people love to include it if they are purchasing loose Superior Stone tile.
Q: What do I do if I want Petoskeys in my loose Superior Stone tile order?
A: The loose Superior Stone line is just that. It does not include Petoskeys. If you would like to include them (most of our clients do), I suggest a ration of 1 square foot of Loose Petoskey for every 12 sq. ft. of the Superior Stones. We sell Petoskeys loose in fractions of a foot.
Q: Can I purchase whole, uncut, Petoskey stones?
A: Superior Stone Tile specializes in cut-stone tile, however; there have been some requests to purchase whole, uncut, Petoskey stones. If you wish to inquire about whole Petoskeys, please contact Operation's Manager~Erika, for questions and details.
Q: Why would you use matted?
A: Matted pieces are great for adding accents such as borders or backsplashes. But you should not use them when trying to cover large areas.
Q: Are the stones polished?
A: The stones are not polished. We suggest that a stone enhancer is used to seal the stones after installation. This will give them a wet-look without making them slippery or too glossy. They are cut fine enough to see the patterns and detail. A stone enhancer brings out these features better than a general ceramic tile sealer.
Q: Where are the stones found?
A: All our Lake Superior stones are directly from the shorelines of Lake Superior; they are hand collected, processed and either matted or sold by the square foot. Our Petoskey stones come from the Traverse City area, and are Michigan’s state stone, being found only in this Northwestern Michigan region. The Mohave Stone Tile comes from the Arizona Mohave Desert. The tiles are vastly different in coloring and texture than our Michigan stones.
Q: Where are the prices? How do I order?
A: We do not publish our prices on our website. Our Product Chart only shows the products available. If you wish to purchase any stones or simply have a question, please visit our ‘Contact’ page; feel free to call or email. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.
Q: How do I get my products? How does shipping work?
A: We can ship 13 pieces of our 12 X 12 matted tiles for less than $20.00, with United States Postal Service’s ‘Flat Rate Shipping’. Ten years ago, that was unheard of. Thanks to flat rate shipping, we have many more options available to us than before. If you are out of our delivery area and plan on shipping tile, please utilize and research your most efficient options. Our prices, available by contact only, are only for tile. Every order that needs to be shipped will always require special attention, and costs can be determined during sales consultation, as well as best means for delivery.
Q: Can I order or request certain colors or sizes?
A: Unfortunately we are not able to sort and separate stones by color and/or size. All of our stones are individually picked for size and quality; this is simply for functional purposes. Each tile is unique and different from any other made. Because every tile is made from a unique combination of stones, no two tiles are the same. We do not sort our stones for tile by color or size, but are sold as a balanced mix. All of our combinations are completely random and we do not have an option available for selecting certain colors or sizes.
A: Stones sold as 'loose' do not come on a mesh backing. They are weighed and sold by a 4 lbs. increment, which is equivalent to 1 square foot. These are pre-cut stones that are arranged by the tile-setter, much like installing mosaic tile pieces.
Q: Why would you use loose?
A: It is important to keep in mind that when covering a large area loose stones are ideal instead of the matted products. Large square footage areas, when covered by matted tiles, will leave an obvious seam. This can be obvious to the eye, leaving a distinguishing separation in the final product. Example, if covering a shower pan 3 ft. X 3 ft. in size, then you would want to use 9 sq. ft. loose; using matted tiles, could leave a noticeable outline. Though loose stones may take more time to install, the end result is seamless, when used to cover large areas.
Q: How to go about installation of loose stone tile?
A: The application of the loose stones is much like creating a mosaic from broken ceramic tile. With this installation, you would use loose stones, instead of fragmented ceramics tiles. When you install them, arrange the stones in a complimentary interlocking fashion, so they fit together like jigsaw puzzle pieces . Though installing loose stones may take more time, the end result is seamless, leaving no outline.
Q: What is 'matted'?
A: 'Matted' stone tiles are pre-measured sliced stone tile with a mesh mounting, allowing for easy installation in a defined area. Available in sizes: 12×12, 6×12 and 4×12. See our product chart for tile-line availability.
Q: What lines of tile are offered?
A: We have three lines of tile: Superior Stone, Petoskey Stone & Mohave Stone. Superior Stones are collected from Lake Superior. Mohave Stones are from the Arizona Mohave Desert. Petoskey Stones are collected locally in the Northwestern Michigan area.
With the matted Superior Stone Tiles, there is the option to purchase it to include some Petoskeys. The Petoskeys included in the matted Superior line, compliment the array of colors and textures found in the Lake Superior stones. Pestoskeys are also sold as loose and can be purchased in fractions of a foot if desired. Many people love to include it if they are purchasing loose Superior Stone tile.
Q: What do I do if I want Petoskeys in my loose Superior Stone tile order?
A: The loose Superior Stone line is just that. It does not include Petoskeys. If you would like to include them (most of our clients do), I suggest a ration of 1 square foot of Loose Petoskey for every 12 sq. ft. of the Superior Stones. We sell Petoskeys loose in fractions of a foot.
Q: Can I purchase whole, uncut, Petoskey stones?
A: Superior Stone Tile specializes in cut-stone tile, however; there have been some requests to purchase whole, uncut, Petoskey stones. If you wish to inquire about whole Petoskeys, please contact Operation's Manager~Erika, for questions and details.
Q: Why would you use matted?
A: Matted pieces are great for adding accents such as borders or backsplashes. But you should not use them when trying to cover large areas.
Q: Are the stones polished?
A: The stones are not polished. We suggest that a stone enhancer is used to seal the stones after installation. This will give them a wet-look without making them slippery or too glossy. They are cut fine enough to see the patterns and detail. A stone enhancer brings out these features better than a general ceramic tile sealer.
Q: Where are the stones found?
A: All our Lake Superior stones are directly from the shorelines of Lake Superior; they are hand collected, processed and either matted or sold by the square foot. Our Petoskey stones come from the Traverse City area, and are Michigan’s state stone, being found only in this Northwestern Michigan region. The Mohave Stone Tile comes from the Arizona Mohave Desert. The tiles are vastly different in coloring and texture than our Michigan stones.
Q: Where are the prices? How do I order?
A: We do not publish our prices on our website. Our Product Chart only shows the products available. If you wish to purchase any stones or simply have a question, please visit our ‘Contact’ page; feel free to call or email. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.
Q: How do I get my products? How does shipping work?
A: We can ship 13 pieces of our 12 X 12 matted tiles for less than $20.00, with United States Postal Service’s ‘Flat Rate Shipping’. Ten years ago, that was unheard of. Thanks to flat rate shipping, we have many more options available to us than before. If you are out of our delivery area and plan on shipping tile, please utilize and research your most efficient options. Our prices, available by contact only, are only for tile. Every order that needs to be shipped will always require special attention, and costs can be determined during sales consultation, as well as best means for delivery.
Q: Can I order or request certain colors or sizes?
A: Unfortunately we are not able to sort and separate stones by color and/or size. All of our stones are individually picked for size and quality; this is simply for functional purposes. Each tile is unique and different from any other made. Because every tile is made from a unique combination of stones, no two tiles are the same. We do not sort our stones for tile by color or size, but are sold as a balanced mix. All of our combinations are completely random and we do not have an option available for selecting certain colors or sizes.