Guides
Choosing Stone Veneer: Slate, Sandstone, Marble
By Stoneart · · 3 min read
Choosing stone veneer starts with choosing the stone. Slate, quartzite, sandstone, marble and limestone each have a distinct character, and the right one depends on the mood of the room, the light and how bold you want the wall to be.
Below is how each type looks, where it tends to suit, and Stoneart examples you can explore.
Slate and quartzite: layered and dramatic
Slate is known for its fine grain and naturally layered, cleft surface. It comes in greys, blacks, greens and rust tones. Quartzite looks similar but is harder and often carries a faint sparkle.
Stoneart groups the two together in its Slate and Quartzite collection, which also offers a translucent backing option for lit walls. Good places to start:
- K Black: a deep, calm blue-black.
- Black & Gold: near-black with golden veins.
- Zeera Green: sage green-grey with a soft, organic feel.
- Burning Forest: olive green with rust-orange veining.
- Silver Galaxy: graphite with a fine silver sparkle.
Best for: feature walls, reception areas, bars, dark and moody interiors, and backlit panels.
Sandstone: warm and grainy
Sandstone has a slightly rough, grainy surface and warm tones that run from soft yellow to deep red. The red colour in stones such as Agra red comes from iron oxide coating the sand grains.
- Agra Red: a strong brick red.
- Teakwood: golden brown, like seasoned timber.
- Mint Yellow: soft cream-yellow.
Best for: living rooms, courtyards, porticos, hospitality spaces and anywhere you want warmth.
Marble: veining and movement
Marble is crystalline stone with veining, banding and a wide range of colours. Its patterns are what make it a statement.
- Rain Forest Green: rich green with copper-brown branching veins.
- Fantasy White: white and pale grey with long, flowing veins.
- Thunder Storm: dark grey with scattered white streaks.
Best for: lobbies, bathrooms, living rooms and single statement walls.
Limestone: soft and quiet
Limestone has a smooth, matte look with subtle colour changes, usually from cream to light grey. It is the most restful of the group.
- Aqua Bianco: pale ivory with soft green-grey veining.
- Ice Pearl: white-cream with a fine, rough texture.
Best for: bathrooms, bedrooms and minimalist interiors.
Concrete-look: understated and modern
Stoneart's Concrete collection offers even, fine-pored greys in dark, medium and light tones, for an industrial, architectural look.
Best for: offices, lofts, retail and modern homes.
A different option: Poly Stone
If you want the look of travertine in large format, Stoneart's Poly Stone range comes in 1220 × 2440 mm sheets, 3 to 4 mm thick, in tones such as White Vein Travertine and Tuscan Cream Travertine.
How to choose
- Start with the light. Dark stones suit rooms with good lighting; pale stones help dim rooms feel open.
- Decide how bold the wall should be. Veined marble and bold slates are statements; limestone and concrete-look are backdrops.
- Think about what sits against it. Timber, brass and white all change how a stone reads.
- Always view samples. Stone varies naturally, so see the actual sheet in your own light before you commit.
Ready to compare? Browse the full Natural Stone range or contact us for samples. New to the material? Start with our guide to flexible stone veneer.
