A preface of Tiles, Slabs, and Blocks

Tiles

Tile is basically a general term that is used for regularized stone dimensions. In fact, when stones are cut from blocks and turned into a regular and sized shape, they are classified into several size groups such as tile or slab. Stones under 80x80 cm are generally called tiles and stones larger than that are called slabs. The standard tiles are produced in centimeters and inches. Several examples of the most common tile dimensions in centimeters are as follows.

20x20 cm

30x60 cm

30x30 cm

40x40 cm

40x60 cm

60x60 cm

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Tiles can be used with many different processes such as polished, honed, leathered, sandblasted, bush-hammered, and tumbled surface finish. Tile are used in both interior and exterior sections of the buildings and in walls, floors of the kitchen, bathrooms, halls, stairs landings, etc. All stone types including marble, travertine, limestone, granite, etc. can be prepared as tiles.

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Slabs

Stones produced with dimensions larger than tiles are classified as slabs. Basically, the minimum slab size is 80x80 cm and the largest production size is 210x320 cm. Of course, this is the maximum production size and basically the normal slabs size is 170x270 ±20 cm. Due to the fact that in the slab cutting method, blocks (coupes) are cut in form of large sheets with different thicknesses, therefore; all lines, veins and natural patterns on the stone surface are determined by the nature of the stone and this point gives a special beauty to the slab surface.

Slabs can be prepared with various types of processing including: polished, honed, leather, sandblasted processing. Slabs are generally used on the floor of large halls or commercial places, which will be much more beautiful when arranged in the form of book-match and fourth-match patterns. All stones, including marble, travertine, limestone, granite, etc. can be prepared as slabs.

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Blocks

Block or coupe is a term that refers to natural stones, cut from the heart of the mountain and separated from the body of the mountain. Tiles and slabs produced in factories are actually first cut into blocks or coupes and are moved to the factories. The blocks in their natural state have veins and natural fractures similar to the mountain rocks.

Normally, the blocks are classified into single-block, double-block, and stone boulders. Basically, the healthier and thicker the block and the fewer streaks, quality will be considered better and the price will be higher. The maximum weight of a block is generally below 30 tons due to the possibility of transportation, cutting and loading machines. But standard blocks generally weigh about 22 to 24 tons in one piece and two pieces. Blocks after being cut and sized in stone factories, are used as tiles and slabs.

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