FAQ's

Not really, not with imported stone�here are some numbers to help you. As you will note we have included the cost of laying the stone and based this on a per meter price (prices are illustrative):

	Stone example	Cement example
Cost per meter	£20.00	£25.00
Cost of laying per meter	£50.00	£50.00
Total per meter	£70.00	£75.00
Cost for a 50m patio	£3500.00	£3750.00

As you will note this is simply not the case.

We don�t know! There are differences between stone and tiles, especially in larger size formats and mainly due to weight and cutting properties. Devon Stone do offer a fitting service but will always happily discuss your project and offer advise on how to approach it.

Like all natural materials, natural stone (i.e. limestone, travertine, marble, slate and granite) requires a level of flexibility and movement. As such it is highly recommended that you use flexible adhesives and grouts. Like in most of our advice, we believe that saving a pound here and there on initial purchase will prove a false economy in the medium to long term.

Devon Stone are stockists for Stonefix and Mapei products.  Please call to discuss your requirements so that we can determine the right natural stone installation products for your project.

Yes, Devon Stone are happy to provide a supply and fit service. We operate from bases in Devon and London and are happy to travel further if required. Our services include:

• In-house design service
• Preparation of stone packages
• Supply and fit of stone (internal and external)
• Stone flooring and stone cladding
• Supply only of materials (standard materials and bespoke materials)
• Stone masonry and ecclesiastical masonry
• Stone care and restoration
• Domestic or Commercial

Devon Stone prefer to provide a supply and fit service to clients. The key benefit to the client being that Devon Stone is in control of all aspects of your project and are therefore in a better position to deal with any potential issues that may arise.

Devon Stone is happy to deal with all types of clients. We welcome trade accounts as well as enquiries from Architects, Designers, Developers, Specifiers, construction companies, and private clients.

Devon Stone originally sold exclusively to the trade but increasingly we carry out stone supply and stone supply and installation work for private clients working extremely closely with architects and designers.

Please refer to our downloadable care documents. In brief, make sure that you have sealed your stone properly (minimum 2-3 coats) using the right natural stone sealant specific to the type of stone before putting it into normal daily use. If sealed properly you will be able to keep your stone clean by mopping, hoover or sweeping.  At Devon Stone, we strongly recommend the use of specific natural stone cleaners as detergents will strip the sealant layer - please call for advice.

We know of the majority of commercial products and are happy to advise on an individual basis. However, please be aware that different products will protect your products for different periods of time ranging from 1-15 years.  At Devon Stone, we strongly recommend the use of Lithofin, LTP and Delta products.  We provide technical data sheets and stone care method statements to support Lithofin and LTP products.

Furthermore, Devon Stone provides a stone cleaning, sealing and restoration and maintenance service across the UK - please call for details.

Sometimes no, but often yes! There can be many reasons why the same material can vary in price�here are a few of them:

1. It is not possible to be a major importer of all stone materials, there are simply too many. At Devon Stone, we focus on a core product line to ensure that we remain competitive with these natural stones. Other suppliers may concentrate on other stones and therefore benefit from different economies of scale with importation.
2. When natural stone is imported you can purchase it in a number of quality grades with the best being either First or A quality. Unlike others, Devon Stone only deals in First/A quality products. What are the differences in grade?
   -Calibration will not always be perfect (or to agreed tolerances) in lower grades
   -Stone may be more or less busy in lower grades (especially marble)
   -Consistency of colour within the same batch of natural stone will vary more dramatically than expected (bearing in mind that stone is a natural product)
   -Travertine will have a larger amount of and much larger holes (either filled or unfilled) in lower quality grades
   -Edges will not be finished properly and will often be softer (which allows grout to seep in during pointing)
   -Old stock stones that have sat in storage for a long time and may have been exposed to various types of dirt will be sold in the same way as materials that have been recently mined and manufactured.
3. Alternative materials are often offered as the original. For example, a good quality British slate can cost up to £84 per square meter trade where a Brazilian or Chinese alternative may be offered at between £20-30 retail. In some cases this will make for a good saving, however cheaper stones may not be calibrated in the same way and will age very differently - this is usually a false economy resulting in replacement in the short rather than long term.

Finally and to draw an analogy, Hyundai and Mercedes both produce 2 litre variants of cars yet one is far more expensive than the other. Arguabley, they will both get you to the same destinations in roughly the same amount of time!!! Stone is a luxury that will give you many years of pleasure and provide a talking point to your home, office, etc. At Devon Stone we advise that you achieve the end result that you are after rather than compromising it.

Stone will always look better!!! Easy for us to say but here are our reasons:

• Unlike stone, concrete products have a determined �shelf� life (usually about 10 years for the better products). Stone as you will note around England�s buildings of distinction lasts for centuries.
• During those ten years, cement products will lose salts and other minerals causing discolouration, cracking and early aging. Stone will only get better with age!
• Cement products are made to simulate natural stone, therefore why not use the real thing!

As much as we love Devon, the majority of our business is based outside of the county. We have now assisted on projects in Scotland, the north of England, Wales, Sussex, London and the Channel Islands and are happy to discuss your requirements wherever you are situated.