Frequently Asked Questions

StoneLocator® is a leading national wholesaler of stone and tile for both residential and commercial projects. With over 3,000 products and 200 distribution locations, we ensure prompt delivery of any product to your door at the lowest possible price. Most items listed on our site are available for direct shipping to your job site or home.

Since 2001, StoneLocator® has been dedicated to providing premium stone and tile products at wholesale prices to homeowners and commercial builders. We also offer free expert advice on product selection and installation to help you make informed decisions for your projects.

First, we guarantee the lowest delivered price on any interior and exterior stone. Second, we provide samples of all our products and expert support to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting. Third, we assist with determining how much to order and confirm that your product choice is right for the job. Fourth, our expertise in logistics and material delivery ensures a seamless process from order to arrival. Finally, we guarantee the highest quality materials for your home or commercial project. Why settle for under-serviced big box stores or overpriced local tile shops when you can get everything you need from us?

Shipping times may vary based on the product location and delivery destination. Typically, delivery takes about 3-5 business days from the confirmation of your order.

We recommend ordering an additional 10-20% of your desired amount of stone, depending on the layout, to account for minor damage, intricate cuts during installation, and other factors. A general rule of thumb is to order at least an extra 15% to avoid running short at the end of your project. It’s also wise to keep a few extra tiles for future repairs or replacements.

Sample orders are typically shipped via standard UPS Ground service unless otherwise specified. Orders placed by 11:00 am are usually dispatched the next day. Expedited shipping options are available upon request, but additional fees will apply.

We partner with a range of reputable carriers to ensure you receive the lowest available shipping cost. Our delivery service will contact you a day before delivery to arrange a time window. While shipping times can vary, we strive to provide top-quality service.

We offer several delivery options, including commercial deliveries (with loading docks and forklifts) and residential deliveries. If you lack the necessary equipment to unload the product, we recommend selecting lift gate service. This service uses a specialized truck with an elevator to lower the product to the ground, but it only works on paved surfaces. If your driveway is too narrow or not paved, the product may need to be unloaded at the end of the driveway. Alternatively, you can opt to collect your product at the nearest shipping terminal to avoid residential and lift gate charges.

Here’s a simple guide to different stone finishes:

**Polished**: This finish is shiny and reflective, giving the stone a smooth, glossy appearance. The level of shine can vary depending on the type of stone.

**Honed**: This finish is smooth but not glossy. It has a matte or semi-polished look, providing a subtle, non-reflective surface.

**Tumbled**: This finish makes the stone look aged or weathered. The process softens the edges and gives the stone a textured, antique appearance.

**Brushed**: This finish has a smooth, slightly textured feel. It’s created by buffing the surface, resulting in a subtle, weathered look that’s less uniform than honed.

**Antiqued**: This is a combination of the tumbled and brushed finishes. The stone is first treated with acid to create a worn look, then brushed to smooth out the surface.

**Natural Cleft**: Commonly found in slate, this finish creates natural ridges on the surface, giving it a rugged, uneven texture. The back of the tiles is usually smoothed for easier installation.

**Split Face (or Rock Face)**: This finish involves splitting the stone to mimic the look of exposed rock, giving it a rough, natural appearance while maintaining uniform dimensions.

**Chiseled**: This finish is created by hand or machine chiseling, resulting in a rough surface with noticeable chisel marks, similar to split face but with more texture.

Here’s a simple breakdown of different edge finishes:

**Standard Edges**: These have a very slight bevel, or chamfer, of about 1/16″ to 1/32″, giving the edges a subtle, smooth finish.

**Saw Cut/Straight Cut Edges**: These edges are sharp and straight, with no additional processing, resulting in a clean, angular look.

**Tumbled Edges**: These edges are rounded and soft, created through a tumbling process that gives them an antiqued appearance. They are not perfectly linear but have a gently worn look.

**Chiseled Edges**: Found on honed or tumbled limestone and travertine tiles, these edges are hand-chiseled to create a more rugged, antique look with a rough texture.

**Pillowed Edges**: These edges are gently rounded with a distinct radius, typically between ¼” and ½”. They have a soft, cushioned appearance.

StoneLocator guarantees that your material will be delivered in good condition, with any damage not exceeding 2% of the shipment. However, we recommend ordering approximately 15% extra to cover cutting waste and potential damage. If the damage or missing items exceed 2% of the total shipment, we will replace the damaged goods at no charge, or issue a full refund or credit, based on your preference.

Please inspect your materials upon receipt and note any damage or missing items on the Bill of Lading/Delivery Receipt provided by the driver. Retain all damaged material and packaging for possible inspection by an insurance adjuster. If visible damage is noticed upon delivery, notify StoneLocator within 3 business days. For concealed damage discovered after delivery, report it within 3 business days as well.

To assist with the claims process, StoneLocator may request pictures of the damaged goods and a copy of the Bill of Lading. We will handle the filing of freight claims with the carriers. Claims reported after 3 business days from delivery may not be eligible for replacements or refunds, as late notifications can hinder our ability to file claims. Thank you for your understanding.

Customers wishing to return material must notify StoneLocator within 10 days of delivery. Returns will incur a 25% restocking fee plus related freight charges. The material should be repackaged as it was received: tile products should be stacked face-to-face and back-to-back to prevent scratches, and secured either in the original crate or tightly shrink-wrapped on the pallet.

Returns will not be accepted for used or installed products, or if the handling makes the goods unsellable. Credit or refunds will be issued after the material has been returned to the original shipping location or another designated StoneLocator facility and inspected.

Please note that samples and special orders are non-returnable. Due to shipping and handling costs, carefully select your products while considering natural variations in color and veining inherent in stone.

Special orders encompass custom orders, factory direct orders, or any non-standard inventory items that require additional handling or special consideration for manufacturing or distribution.

Gauging is a process that ensures tiles have a consistent thickness. For example, gauged slates are milled on the bottom to create a uniform subsurface, which simplifies the installation process. Even if the slate has a natural cleft finish, its thickness will still vary, but the variation will be reduced by about 50% compared to un-gauged slate.