Beautiful and timeless: the color and design of each individual piece of natural stone is unique, as designed by nature. Our showroom carries the full range:
The workhorse of Arizona floors. Porcelain is denser than ceramic, with very low water absorption, so it works indoors, outdoors, and in showers. Large formats (12-by-24, 24-by-24 and bigger) give a clean, modern look with fewer grout lines to collect desert dust, and wood-look porcelain planks deliver the warmth of wood with tile's durability in the heat.
Slightly softer and more affordable than porcelain, ceramic is a classic for bathrooms, backsplashes, and interior floors. Easier to cut and set, which can ease labor on intricate layouts.
Arizona's signature stone. Travertine is a dense, closely compacted form of limestone, mostly white or cream colored calcium carbonate deposited by evaporating mineral water (the name comes from Tivoli, Italy; in the U.S. it forms around hot springs like Yellowstone's Mammoth). Its honed, tumbled, and unfilled finishes create everything from formal interiors to rustic, old-world floors, and it stays noticeably cooler underfoot than almost any other floor, a genuine asset through Chandler summers.
Marble and granite arrive from quarries all over the world. Granite is the harder of the two, which makes it ideal for countertops; both make stunning floors and entries where their polish and variation earn the upkeep.
Slate originates in the U.S., India, and Africa, with a natural cleft that makes each piece slightly imperfect, part of its character. Limestone and travertine come smooth, or in unfilled and "tumbled" finishes with rounded, rustic edges. All natural stone is porous and should be sealed.
Saltillo clay tiles are crudely handmade, varying in size, shade, and texture from one to the next, occasionally even marked with animal tracks. Colors run terra-cotta to yellow to brown, and they can be ordered pre-sealed or sealed after installation.
Honest tile pricing depends on your project, so we quote after measuring. The moving parts:
Your exact written number comes from the free in-home estimate. For context on how tile pricing works, see tile installation cost.
We measure, check slab flatness, and talk through material, layout, and sealing.
Compare full tile ranges (with natural variation, not just a single sample) by appointment.
Tear-out, leveling, and any moisture or crack remediation.
Proper thinset coverage, layout from the room's focal point, and leveling clips on large formats to control lippage.
After cure time, we apply sealer to stone and grout. We recommend professional sealing on new stone the first time; after that, maintenance sealing is straightforward.
Sweep dust and grit regularly, then clean with a few drops of dish soap in warm water using a cloth, sponge, or mop; rinse and dry. Do not use abrasive cleaners (Ajax, Comet) or anything acidic (lemon, orange, vinegar) on natural stone. Apply sealer, especially to countertops, about every year to prevent deep staining; on a new installation, seal in the first week after grout. We do not recommend sealing exterior travertine.
Both excel here, differently. Travertine is natural, stays cool, and delivers an unmatched high-end look, but it is porous, needs sealing, and is sensitive to acids and oils. Porcelain is nearly maintenance-free, tougher, and cheaper to own, with convincing stone looks. For busy family floors many East Valley homeowners choose porcelain; for formal living spaces, travertine wins hearts.
Yes. All natural stone is porous, and Arizona dust plus hard water make sealing even more worthwhile indoors. We apply sealer to stone and grout after the installation cures (a first professional application is recommended) then roughly annual resealing for countertops and high-use floors. Exterior travertine is the exception: we do not recommend sealing it.
Absolutely, the lack of freeze-thaw makes Arizona ideal for exterior tile and stone. Patios, pool decks, entries, and walkways in travertine, slate, or exterior-rated porcelain are among our signature projects. The keys are exterior-rated material, a proper base, and correct drainage, see our exterior tile page.
Waste depends on tile size and layout: about 4-5% over measured area for straight-lay tile up to 12 inches, 6-7% for 16-20 inch, 10-11% for 24 inch, then add roughly 5% for diagonal installations. Multiple sizes laid together raise both waste and labor. We build the waste factor into your estimate so you are not short, or sitting on extra crates.
From a single backsplash to a whole-house travertine installation, East Valley Floors has set tile and stone across the East Valley since 1984. See the work in our tile and stone gallery or call (480) 926-3444 for a free in-home estimate.
Serving Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and Queen Creek. Mon-Fri, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM.
