Polished-stone floor tile. Gleaming, smooth natural stone has an elegant and stately appearance. The tiles are cut precisely, but they will naturally vary from one another in color and pattern. Marble tiles tend to be veined. Granite is usually speckled. Travertine is mottled and veined. Inexpensive agglomerated tiles, composed of stone fragments held together with resin, have a rich pattern that features several colors. Although it is a popular choice for bathroom floors, polished stone can be slippery when wet.

The substrate must be smooth and extremely strong. Set the tiles in white thinset mortar, and check for level periodically. Cut the tiles using a wet saw. Typically, grout lines are narrow.

Marble, travertine, and other types of soft stone must be kept well sealed or they may stain; apply a sealer made for natural stone. Granite is extremely hard and resistant to stains.

Tumbled- or rough-stone floor tile. Marble that is tumbled has an entirely different appearance from the polished version. These tiles have a porous--sometimes even spongelike--texture. There are variations in color, but veins and other patterns are generally absent. The result is a floor that feels relaxed yet sumptuous at the same time. Rough-cut stone tiles such as those made from limestone and slate have similar properties and appearance.

The substrate must be smooth and extremely strong. Set the tiles in white thinset mortar. The tiles may be somewhat irregular in shape, leading to grout lines of varying width, but this adds to the charm of the floor. Cut the tiles using a wet saw. Apply an acrylic sealer to the tiles before grouting so the grout does not seep into the tiles. Left unsealed, these tiles will readily soak up stains, so keep them well protected with regular coats of sealer.

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