• Marble tile installationtile layer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  Although there are many types of stone tile to choose from, marble, granite, and slate remain the three most popular options. These types of stone tile have been used in construction projects for many centuries and continue to be at least as popular today as they have been in the past. The Marble Institute of America (MIA) publishes a manual that guides the stone tile industry and outlines methods for selection and testing of stone tile.
  
  

Marble

• A large marble floormarble image by Empath from Fotolia.com
  
  Marble tile is perfectly suited for use on fireplaces, flooring, vanities, showers and tubs. It is recommended that you use a penetrative sealing process, and never use polished marble in food preparation areas. This is because even a small amount of acid can etch and dull the polish on marble surfaces. For this reason, the area around toilets and beneath urinals should be protected by floor coverings and mats. Additionally, caution is recommended when installing polished marble in bathrooms because it can become extremely slick when wet. Black and green marble, in particular, will require special installation and setting material because they tend to curl and warp as they absorb water.
  
  

Granite

• Granite tile comes in many different colors.granite image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
  
  Many people aspire to install granite countertops in their kitchens and baths because of the aesthetic appeal of these surfaces. Today, there are many alternatives to real granite that can provide the same look and be a little more ecologically responsible. Granite can be installed just about anywhere and is a true multi-surface stone. It is most commonly found in flooring, vanity, kitchen counter, fireplace, shower, and tub installations. Here too, a penetrative sealing process is recommended and caution should be taken around wet granite as it can become very slick.
  
  

Slate

• In the past, and in some cases today, slate tiles were used as shingles.slate image by BONNIE C. MARQUETTE from Fotolia.com
  
  Slate tile can be found in many different installations including flooring, fireplaces, bar tops, vanities, showers, tubs, and pool tables. Slate is similar to quartz-based stone because it has a tendency to chip, flake, or peel if it is left un-gauged. Gauged stone has been shaped and smoothed to provide an even thickness and smooth surface. Slate stone can be very difficult to clean or disinfect, which can make general maintenance difficult. To make this task a little easier it is recommended to use at least penetrative, if not sacrificial, sealing process to make the tile easier to maintain. Sacrificial sealing is simply the process of sealing the tile and applying a layer of finish that can be easily removed if it becomes scratched. This layer helps to avoid further damage to the underlying tile.