Unlike polished marble, honed limestone has better resistance to etching and scratching. Limestone should always be sealed after installation. Some pre-cut factory patterns using multiple shapes of stone are available for certain colors. Slate is a very porous stone that must be sealed for any interior application. It can be used for floors, fireplaces, kitchen backsplashes, etc.
Slate makes an excellent exterior material.
Tumbled stones also make very durable, non-slip floors. All tumbled stones should be sealed with a high quality sealer. The translucent quality of glass give it an entirely different look than ceramic tile or stone. The styles range from old world rustic to clean contemporary. It can be used for an entire wall, or inserted as an accent row or inlay with other tile or stone.