QUESTION

I need to replace some marble flooring in my house. I measured it to be ½" thick and they are square 2 x 2 feet. I had a contractor help me find the replacement but it wasn't a good match. So I took matters in to my own hand and started going around the local stone dealers for help. All of them told me they could find the stone but that they could not match the flooring sample I showed them. Everyone was close but not a suitable match. Some could not find the size, others shades, etc.. Is there any way to match the flooring I have? It is Diano Reale and the original owner installed it about 10 years ago. The room with the flooring is fairly small so I thought I just replace the entire flooring if it is not going to match and I can stop searching. I was actually going to remodel a few years from now but if I can not find a matching tile, I might as well just do it now. I don't mind searching more but am I setting myself up for disappointment? Please help me so I don't go crazy trying to find something that just is not going to happen

ANSWER

ANSWER - Normally we don't have problems finding natural stone to match existing installations for repairs.  Diano Reale has enough variation within it that I would expect you should find something to blend in.  Normally the suppliers don't want you to go through their pallets of inventory and pick and choose, but you can buy twice as much as you need to sort out what matches best.

Keep in mine that the suppliers of stone will get more inventory in at later times and those shipments might match better.

Also you can look a slabs of the stone and pick out sections of the slab to cut out and have the tiles made from it.  A stone fabricator with the right equipment can cut it down to the dimensions that you need and will charge accordingly.