How Much Does Natural Stone Tile Cost?

Natural Stone Tile Prices

Natural stone tiles cost $4 to $20 for the material alone. Granite, slab, and travertine tile fall on the lower end of the price range for materials, while marble and limestone fall on the higher end of the price range. 

Natural Stone Tile Installation Costs

Professionals typically charge $50 to $70 per hour to install natural stone tiles, and the cost to install natural stone flooring falls between $3 to $7 per square foot. 

Expect to pay toward the higher end of that price point for your installation if you want any of the following features:

• Custom installation, like diagonal tiles

• Removing old floors

• Repairing subfloors

• Replacing or installing subfloors

Natural Stone Tile Costs by Type

In the construction world, natural stone refers to any hard substance quarried in solid pieces from the earth. Understandably, there are many types and variations, each with its own unique qualities. Different stone tile types will have distinct colors, patterns, compositions, degrees of hardness, and optimum usages.

Below is a brief look at each type and its costs for an average 250-square foot space, not including installation.

Granite 

Granite tile flooring costs $5 to $15 per square foot or $1,250 to $3,750. Granite is a popular tile choice when it comes to long-lasting natural stone. Though it’s less costly than marble, it’s also more durable. Granite will stand up better to wear and tear than almost any alternative, and its wealth of color and pattern options keep potential buyers interested. It has a distinctive look and appears grainy instead of the swirls and delicate patterns of marble.

Marble 

Marble flooring costs around $10 to $20 per square foot or $2,500 to $5,000 for an average 250-square foot room. Often called the king of stone materials, you can find marble tiles in a variety of colors and patterns with enormous variations. In fact, a piece of marble is itself a work of natural art. Unfortunately, it isn’t the most durable of the available stones. It also requires sealing and will easily stain or damage from as little as a sweating glass without a coaster, so you’ll need to pay more to maintain marble flooring.

Slate 

Slate flooring costs $4 to $10 per square foot or $1,000 to $2,500 for installing a 250-square foot area. It’s a type of rock that’s formed from heated, compressed layers of mud. It has a wholly unique look that lends itself extremely well to both rustic and sophisticated decors. Slate needs to be sealed and may flake or chip, though any signs of wear and tear can be fixed easily by a tile repair contractor near you.

Travertine 

Travertine tile costs $4 to $6 per square foot or $1,000 to $1,500. Travertine is a sedimentary rock with properties similar to marble when it comes to color and pattern. However, it’s generally cheaper than marble and has a classic weathered look. It’s susceptible to acids but has the benefit of not being slippery when wet, so this factor makes it a popular flooring type for kitchens, bathrooms, and showers.

Limestone 

Limestone tile costs $6 to $17 per square foot on average or $1,500 to $4,250. Like marble, limestone forms at the bottom of the ocean and has distinctive, fossil-like veining that entitles it to a design all its own. It mostly comes in neutral shades of beiges and tans but has been seen in reds, greens, and blues as well. It’s extremely durable and will resist stains and weathering when properly sealed. However, limestone tends to be slippery when wet. 

Natural Stone Tile Installation Costs by Square Footage

On average, the total project cost for installing natural stone by square foot is $4 to $32. This price estimation includes materials and labor.

Natural Stone Costs Near You

The cost of your natural stone tile project may vary depending on where you live. Below are a few average cost ranges for populated cities across the U.S.

Natural Stone Cost Factors

When planning the budget, you’ll find it can be challenging to know the total cost of the flooring project. There are many cost factors to consider, including the following:

• Tile type: Marble costs two to four times more per square foot than granite or slate.

• Size of the area: Larger surface areas cost more since you calculate pricing by square footage.

• Installation time and complexity: Most pros charge $50–$70 per hour to install the tile.

• Sealant type: Natural stone tile requires a sealant to preserve the material. Sealant costs $1–$3 per square foot.

• Pouring concrete (if needed): Concrete costs around $75 per cubic foot.

• Removing old flooring, substrate, or backsplash: Removal can start at around $2 per square foot if you need to remove the surface of where your new tiles will go.

• Backer board replacement: Installing the moisture-resistant cement board that goes underneath your tile will cost around $5–$8 per square foot.

DIY vs. Hire a Natural Stone Tile Pro

Installing natural stone tile is a job best left for the pros. You must be skilled at preparing the floor before you install the tile. This includes inspecting the surface material, removing old flooring if needed, cleaning the floors, leveling the substrate, and possibly even chiseling any stubborn flooring materials. Then, there’s laying the tile and finishing the floors. 

Since the process is so detailed, you’ll want to hire a natural stone tile professional to do the job right. Your pro will know how to prepare your flooring properly, giving you the best chance at having the natural stone tile floors of your dream.

FAQs

What’s the most affordable natural stone tile?

Granite comes in at just $5 to $15 per square foot and is the most affordable natural stone tile. It’s also the most durable and requires the least amount of maintenance overall.

How do you maintain natural stone tiles?

Maintain your natural stone tiles by applying a sealant every six months for more porous materials, like limestone or marble, and once a year for less porous stones like granite. Avoid using bleach or vinegar on your tiles as these products are too harsh. Instead, use cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone tiles.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural stone tiles?

Natural stone tile is more affordable than slabs or modular flooring, costing less than half the price of the two other stone flooring options. Slabs are a solid stone that can range from as large as 7 feet long, while mini-slabs are smaller but larger than tiles. Since tile has more seams and you need to put grout between the pieces, this may not be the style you want.

Where can I install natural stone tiles?

You can install natural stone tiles on the floor, on a wall, as a backsplash, or as part of your landscape.