Today’s post is the first in a Tilezz series featuring some of our favorite budget-friendly tile options. Here, we’re focusing on natural stone tile, which has a reputation for being one of the priciest flooring options available. We’ll discuss why natural stone tends to be so expensive and dive into 10 of our most affordable options.
The Average Cost of Natural Stone Tile
It’s no secret that natural stone tile is costly!
Although estimates can vary widely, HomeAdvisor reports that, depending on the type of stone, prices typically range from $5 to $170 per square foot–and that’s just for materials! Professional installation can add $5 to $14 per square foot.
Meanwhile, The Spruce states that you could pay $100 to $300 per square foot to purchase and professionally install natural stone tile.
Factors Impacting Cost
Why is it that natural stone tile costs so much? There are a few reasons.
The Process of Turning Raw Natural Stone Into Tile
Natural stone is just that–natural, not manufactured. Specialized equipment is used to drill into remote commercial quarries and cut massive blocks of natural stone from the earth. These blocks often weigh hundreds of tons!
Each block is then cut into smaller blocks, sliced into slabs, polished, packed, and shipped to distribution facilities.
Tile manufacturers then purchase the stone and ship it to fabricators, where it can be cut to exact sizes for specific projects. Alternatively, manufacturers can cut the stone into individual tiles and pack it for redistribution.
Transforming raw natural stone into tile is quite a process, and knowing its details can shed some light on why prices are so high!
Cost of Installation
Natural stone tile installation requires more finesse and expertise than installing ceramic or porcelain tile–not to mention specialized tools like wet tile saws. Hiring a professional to install natural stone costs more than hiring a pro to install other types of tile.
We recommend buying more natural stone tile than you need in case the color variance in some pieces doesn’t look quite right with the rest of the tile, which can add to the overall cost of the project as well.
Cost of Maintenance
Maintenance is another consideration since most types of natural stone need to be sealed regularly to maintain their quality and prevent staining. This is especially true if you’re using natural stone in an area where it may get wet, like a bathroom or kitchen.
How to Lower the Cost of Natural Stone Tile
We have two main suggestions if you want to get natural stone tile for a lower price.
#1: Install it yourself.
#2: Purchase porcelain or ceramic tile that imitates the look of natural stone.
Please note that installing natural stone tile yourself is not the right choice for everyone. As we mentioned above, it requires experience, specialized knowledge, and specific tools that the average person isn’t likely to own.
However, this may be an option if you’ve installed tile floors before and feel confident in your abilities. We recommend reading our article, 8 Things to Know Before You Install Natural Stone Tile, before diving into this project, as it can give you a clear idea of whether this route is for you.
Meanwhile, although porcelain and ceramic are not the same as natural stone, they often do an excellent job mirroring its appearance. Just look at our Milano Statuary White 12x24 Porcelain Tile, for instance!
There are several benefits to opting for porcelain or ceramic instead of natural stone. First of all, the cost is far lower. The Milano Statuary porcelain tile pictured above costs $5.95 per square foot, while our Statuario White 12x24 Marble Field Tile costs $31.43 per square foot.
Porcelain and ceramic are easier to install and less risky to DIY. Check out How to Install Tile Like a Pro (Our Top Tips) for guidance. They’re also more durable, easier to clean, require far less maintenance, and are better options for areas prone to moisture.
If your heart is set on the look of natural stone, but you just can’t stomach the price or the commitment to consistent upkeep, then a porcelain or ceramic lookalike tile might be the better choice for you.
Our Top 10 Budget-Friendly Natural Stone Tile Options
Below, you’ll find a beautiful selection of our favorite natural stone tiles on the lower end of the price range. We’ve put them in order of cost from lowest to highest–but don’t worry, even the most expensive tile on our list costs less than $14 per square foot!
1. Scabos Travertine 12x12 Tumbled Field Tile - $7.25/sq.ft.
2. Scabos Travertine 4x4 Tumbled Field Tile - $7.99/sq.ft.
3. Cappuccino 12x12 Polished Marble Field Tile - $8.25/sq.ft.
4. Tundra Gray Marble 12x12 Field Tile - $9.95/sq.ft.
5. Carrara White Marble 6x12 Subway Tile - $11.07/sq.ft.
6. Nero Marquina 12x12 Marble Field Tile - $11.07/sq.ft.
7. Honey Onyx 12x12 Field Tile - $11.08/sq.ft.
8. Calacatta Cressa (Asian Statuary) 3x6 Subway Tile - $11.79/sq.ft.
9. Calacatta Cressa (Asian Statuary) Mini Versailles Pattern - $12.86/sq.ft.
10. Nero Marquina 1x4 Herringbone Mosaic - $13.20/sq.ft.
Find Tile That Doesn’t Break the Bank at Tilezz.com!
At Tilezz.com, our vast selection includes tiles of all materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and costs. There’s truly something for everyone, and shopping for tile online is easy with our fast delivery, insured shipments, and easy returns. Explore our product range here, or visit our blog for more information and inspiration.