How to Specify Natural Stone in Architectural Drawings

Clear, consistent specifications in architectural drawings are essential when working with natural stone. Whether you are planning with Turkish marble, travertine, limestone, granite or onyx, good documentation helps your natural stone supplier or exporter understand the project and deliver exactly what the site needs.

This article outlines the key items that should appear in your drawings, schedules and specifications when you work with Turkish natural stones. It complements the broader overview in the Introduction to Turkish Natural Stones and detailed material choices in the Guide to Turkish Marble Types for Global Projects.

1. Use Clear Stone Codes and Descriptions

Each stone item on your plans should have a unique code and a short description. For example:

• ST-01: Turkish marble, light white, honed, 20 mm thick floor tiles
• ST-02: Beige travertine, filled & honed, 30 mm exterior pavers
• ST-03: Limra limestone, sandblasted, 30 mm facade panels

These codes should be used consistently in floor plans, elevations, details and schedules. When you submit the drawings to a Turkish stone exporter such as Atlas Natural Stones, Inc., these codes become the basis of the quotation, production planning and packing list.

2. Specify Thickness, Format and Finish

For each stone code you should indicate:

• Thickness (e.g. 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm)
• Format (slabs, tiles, cut-to-size, steps, risers, copings, etc.)
• Surface finish (polished, honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted, bush-hammered, flamed)

For a deeper look at formats and finishes, see Slabs vs Tiles vs Cut-to-Size Pieces and Understanding Natural Stone Finishes: Polished, Honed, Brushed & Tumbled .

3. Define Layouts, Joints and Directions

Architectural drawings should show not only where stone is used, but also how it is laid out:

• Tile sizes and patterns (e.g. 600×600 mm grid, French pattern, running bond)
• Grout joint width and movement joints for larger floors
• Vein direction arrows for marble and travertine with strong veining

For more guidance, refer to Patterns & Layouts for Marble and Travertine Floors and Understanding Vein Direction in Marble & Travertine . The article Grout Joints and Movement Joints in Stone Floors explains how joints influence long-term performance.

4. Indicate Substrates and Fixing Methods

Stone performance is closely linked to the substrate and fixing method. When coordinating with your natural stone supplier, make sure your drawings and notes clarify:

• Substrate type (concrete screed, cement board, masonry, metal frame, etc.)
• Adhesive or mortar type, especially for marble and travertine
• Anchoring system for facade stones (kerf anchors, undercut anchors, brackets)

A fuller discussion can be found in Substrates and Adhesives for Installing Natural Stone.

5. Include Tolerances and Quality Expectations

To align expectations between architect, contractor and stone exporter, it is helpful to include:

• Dimensional tolerances for tiles and panels
• Acceptable variation in color, veining and natural features
• Flatness requirements for floors and walls

You can point to industry standards or your own project standards. For more information, see Dimensional Tolerances and Standards for Stone Tiles and Quality Grading & Selection in Turkish Marble and Travertine .

6. Cross-Reference Schedules, Mock-Ups and Samples

On your drawings, clearly reference the stone schedule and any mock-up or sample approvals:

• Stone schedule with codes, quantities and areas
• Mock-up locations and approval procedures
• Sample boards for marble, travertine, limestone, granite and onyx

This helps your Turkish stone supplier match their production to previously approved pieces and reduces the risk of misunderstandings on site.

7. Coordinate with Your Stone Supplier Early

The best time to coordinate with a Turkish natural stone exporter is during the design development and tender phases. By sharing draft drawings and stone schedules early, Atlas Natural Stones, Inc. can:

• Check the feasibility of your thicknesses, sizes and finishes
• Advise on suitable Turkish marble, travertine, limestone and granite options
• Highlight any risk areas, such as very large tile sizes or complex cutting patterns

You can review our material range on the Products page and send a brief via the contact form.

Using This Article in Your Next Project

If you are preparing drawings for a new project that will use Turkish marble, travertine, limestone, granite or onyx, you can:

• Define clear stone codes and descriptions
• Specify thickness, format, finish and vein direction
• Show layouts, joints and details on plans and sections
• Describe substrates, adhesives and fixing systems
• Attach schedules and sample references for the stone package

For a broader decision-making framework, you may also find Choosing Between Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Granite helpful when comparing stone types at concept stage.

When your drawings are ready, share them with Atlas Natural Stones, Inc. along with any material preferences. As an Ankara-based Turkish stone supplier, we coordinate production and export of natural stone packages from multiple regions of Turkey.