About Pavers & Tiles

Natural stone pavers and tiles are valued for their surface character and durability. Stone Centre's range spans multiple materials, formats and finishes supplied Australia-wide.

What Is the Difference Between Stone Tiles and Pavers?

The difference between natural stone pavers and tiles is thickness as it determines the load each format can handle and the conditions each is suited to.

Format	Thickness	Suited To
Stone Tiles	12 mm or 15 mm	Interior flooring on a prepared concrete subfloor. Covered exterior surfaces on a solid concrete substrate.
Stone Pavers	20 mm or 30 mm	Ground-level exterior paving under regular foot traffic. Driveways, courtyards, garden surfaces.

Laying stone tiles at 12 mm or 15 mm on an unbound exterior sub-base is the most common cause of surface cracking in natural stone paving installations. For ground-level exterior surfaces that carry regular foot traffic, the 20 mm or 30 mm stone pavers specification is correct. For interior natural stone flooring on a prepared concrete subfloor, the 12 mm or 15 mm tile gauge is appropriate.

What Materials Are Available in Stone Pavers and Tiles?

Stone Centre's stone tiles and pavers are available across seven materials. Each material brings its own geological background, surface character and physical properties to the range.

Travertine stone is valued for its organic surface character and the variation between individual pieces.
Natural Limestones are valued for their fine-grained, consistent surface and moderate density.
Marble stone surfaces are valued for their veining character, with no two pieces alike.
Granite flooring is valued for its low porosity and resistance to surface wear.
Bluestone tiles are valued for their very low porosity and structural reliability.
Sandstone pavers are valued for their natural tonal variation from piece to piece.
Slatestone tiles are valued for their textured, cleaved surface character.

What Finishes Are Available in Stone Tiles and Pavers?

Surface finish affects how a stone paver or tile reads tonally, how it feels underfoot and how it performs in use. Stone Centre's range is available in the following finishes:

Finish	What It Means
Honed	Smooth and flat with a matte surface. No shine. The stone's natural character is visible but the surface is even to the touch.
Tumbled	The stone is mechanically worn to give it a naturally aged, weathered look. Edges are softened and rounded.
Natural Split	The stone is split along its natural layers rather than cut. The face is irregular and textured and every piece looks different.
Sandblasted	Fine abrasive is blasted across the face under pressure. The result is lightly textured, even surface.
Exfoliated / Flamed	High heat is applied to the stone face, causing the surface to burst open. Produces a rough, heavily textured finish.
Antique	A treatment that gives the stone an aged, worn appearance; similar to tumbled but with more surface character and depth.
Honed and Filled	The natural holes and pits in the stone are filled before honing, giving a smooth and even surface with no open voids.

How to Choose Right Natural Stone Tile or Paver?

Choosing the right natural stone pavers or tiles comes down to matching the physical properties of the stone to the conditions of the surface.

Interior or Exterior - Tile gauge (12–15 mm) for interior flooring and covered exterior surfaces on a solid substrate. Paver gauge (20–30 mm) for ground-level exterior surfaces under regular foot traffic. Tile-gauge stone on an unbound sub-base is the most common cause of cracking.

Stone Hardness and Porosity - Igneous stones (granite, bluestone) are the densest and lowest in porosity. Sedimentary stones (travertine, limestone, sandstone) are softer and more porous, requiring more consistent sealing.

Finish for the Conditions - Honed for a smooth, matte face that is easy to maintain. Tumbled and antique for a naturally aged character. Sandblasted and natural split for an inherent textured surface under foot traffic.

Material to Tonal Result - Each stone type carries its own tonal character. Tonal appearance shifts under different lighting conditions. Review a sample in the actual setting before ordering.

How to Seal and Maintain Natural Stone Tiles and Pavers?

All natural stone tiles and stone pavers carry some degree of porosity and need sealing before installation and at intervals after. How often and what product depends on the stone type, its finish and the conditions the surface faces.

Before installation

Dip-sealing all faces and edges before laying is widely recommended. Unsealed stone faces can pick up staining from mortar and grouting material during the bedding process. Pre-sealing removes that risk.

After installation

Once installation is done and the surface has been cleaned, apply a final coat of penetrating natural stone sealer to all exposed faces and joints.

Ongoing maintenance

Reseal every two to three years, adjusted for use and exposure. Exterior natural stone paving and surfaces in high-traffic or high-moisture conditions may need attention sooner.

Routine cleaning

A pH-neutral stone cleaner diluted in warm water, worked across the surface with a soft mop or brush and rinsed off thoroughly, handles routine cleaning well. Acid-based products such as vinegar, citrus cleaners and low-pH bathroom products will permanently etch the stone surface. Bleach and ammonia-based cleaners should be kept away from all natural stone tiles and pavers.

Joint maintenance

The grout joints in a natural stone paving installation need periodic inspection. Any weed or moss growth should be cleared promptly as when left alone, root systems work their way into jointing compound and can gradually displace individual pieces. Re-point any joints that have cracked or loosened.

FAQs About Pavers & Tiles

What is the difference between natural stone tiles and natural stone pavers?

The difference is thickness. Natural stone tiles are cut at 12 mm or 15 mm and are suited to interior flooring on a prepared concrete subfloor and covered exterior surfaces on a solid substrate. Natural stone pavers are cut at 20 mm or 30 mm and are suited to ground-level exterior paving under regular foot traffic. Laying tile-gauge stone on an unbound exterior sub-base is the most common cause of surface cracking in natural stone paving installations.

What natural stone materials does Stone Centre stock?

Stone Centre's stone tiles and pavers range covers travertine, limestone, marble, granite, bluestone, sandstone and slatestone. Each material is available across multiple finishes and is stocked across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses. Free samples can be ordered online to see the surface character and tone of each material in your actual setting.

What finishes are available in natural stone tiles and pavers?

Stone Centre's natural stone tiles and pavers are available in honed, tumbled, natural split, sandblasted, exfoliated (flamed), antique, honed and filledfinishes.

How should natural stone tiles and pavers be sealed and maintained?

Dip-seal all faces and edges before installation. Once installation is complete and the surface has been cleaned, apply a penetrating natural stone sealer. Reseal every two to three years and sooner for natural stone flooring and paving in high-traffic or high-moisture conditions. For routine cleaning, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner diluted in warm water. Avoid acid-based products, bleach and ammonia-based cleaners as they can permanently etch the stone surface.

Does Stone Centre deliver pavers and tiles across Australia?

Yes. Stone Centre stocks natural stone tiles and pavers in its Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne warehouses, each holding the current range for in-person viewing or delivery across Australia. Free samples can be ordered online to see the tone and surface character of your chosen stone in your actual setting.