Frequently Asked Questions

Faber CNK Stone operates five warehouse showrooms across Texas: Houston (main warehouse), Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and White Settlement (near Fort Worth). We also offer statewide delivery to Fort Worth, Lubbock, Midland, Abilene, and surrounding areas.

Faber CNK Stone is primarily a wholesale natural stone supplier serving pool builders, landscape contractors, and construction companies throughout Texas. Homeowners are also welcome to visit any of our five showroom locations to view products in person. Contractor accounts with wholesale pricing are available — contact info@fabercnkstone.com or call (832) 831-7222.

All of our core product lines — travertine pavers, marble pavers, pool coping, glass mosaics, ledger panels, and porcelain pavers — are stocked in our five Texas warehouses and available for immediate pickup or delivery. For custom dimensions, special finishes, or non-standard profiles, our fabrication team can fulfill orders with lead times discussed at the time of inquiry.

Yes. We deliver statewide from our five warehouse locations. Primary service areas include Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Midland, and Abilene. Contact your nearest warehouse for delivery scheduling and freight rates.

Our paver inventory includes:

Travertine Pavers — Ivory, Silver, Noce, Autumn, Nuance, Leonardo, and more (9 colors)
Marble Pavers — Tundra Grey, Bianco Royal, Platinum Ice, Euro Ice, Phantom, Sky White, and more (12 options)
Limestone Pavers — Shell Stone and other limestone varieties
Basalt Pavers — Dark-toned basalt collection
Porcelain Pavers — 17 models with zero-maintenance, fully uniform surfaces
Terrazo Pavers — 2 options for contemporary projects

All materials are available in multiple finishes including tumbled, sand-blasted, and leathered.

Travertine is a porous limestone with a naturally textured, non-slip surface — it is particularly well-suited to Texas pool decks because its porous structure keeps the surface noticeably cooler than concrete or dense stone in summer heat above 100°F. Marble is denser with a smoother, more refined finish, offering a more formal and elegant aesthetic. Both outperform concrete in Texas heat retention. Travertine is the most popular choice for pool surrounds; marble is frequently chosen for upscale patios and driveways.

Natural stone delivers unique organic texture and warmth — no two pieces are identical. Porcelain offers factory-engineered uniformity, zero porosity (no sealing required), and high resistance to pool chemicals, UV exposure, and staining. For Texas outdoor environments, both perform excellently. The choice comes down to aesthetic preference and maintenance expectations: natural stone requires periodic sealing; porcelain does not.

Available finishes include tumbled (rounded edges, aged appearance), sand-blasted (textured, slip-resistant surface), leathered (soft matte texture), honed (smooth, polished), and brushed. The right finish depends on the application — tumbled and sand-blasted are preferred for pool decks and walkways due to their slip resistance.

Pool coping is the profiled stone edging that caps the perimeter of a swimming pool. It serves two purposes: providing a gripping edge for swimmers and protecting the pool shell from water intrusion. Faber CNK Stone offers two primary profiles — Drop-Face and Bullnose — in travertine and marble.

Drop-Face coping has a straight vertical face that extends below the waterline tile, creating a clean, modern architectural look popular in contemporary Texas pool design. Bullnose coping features a rounded, smooth edge for a softer, more traditional pool appearance. Most new pool construction in Texas currently specifies Drop-Face coping for its streamlined aesthetic.

Yes. Travertine is fully compatible with saltwater pools when properly sealed. A penetrating (impregnating) sealer is recommended and should be reapplied once a year in Texas climates. Faber CNK Stone provides a dedicated saltwater pool travertine installation guide on our website, covering sealer selection and application steps specific to Texas conditions.

Faber CNK Stone travertine and marble pavers are 1.25 inches (approximately 3.2 cm) thick — the standard for residential pool deck, patio, and walkway applications. Pool coping is available in 2-inch thickness. For driveway or heavy-load applications, thicker porcelain or stone options are recommended.

Both are excellent choices for Texas pools. Travertine stays cooler underfoot in high heat due to its porous structure and offers natural slip resistance. Porcelain provides a perfectly uniform surface, requires zero maintenance, and resists pool chemicals and staining without sealing. Travertine requires annual sealing; porcelain does not. Both options are in stock at all five Faber CNK Stone Texas locations.

Yes. Faber CNK Stone glass mosaics are fully compatible with pool water, chlorine, and saltwater chemistry. They are designed for pool waterline tile, interior pool walls, waterfall backdrops, outdoor showers, and kitchen or bathroom backsplashes. Our glass mosaic collection is UV-resistant and rated for full outdoor exposure in Texas climates.

Ledger panels feature a split-face natural stone texture — rough, layered, and organically varied — that creates a rustic or earthy wall appearance. They are popular for exterior facades, outdoor fireplaces, and interior accent walls. Wall panels (planks) have a more uniform, linear profile for a modern architectural look. Faber CNK Stone also carries 3D Honed Ledger panels, which combine dimensional depth with a smooth honed surface finish for a contemporary, refined result.

Ledger panels and wall cladding are suitable for both interior and exterior applications: living room accent walls, fireplace surrounds, TV wall features, outdoor kitchen facades, entry columns, and exterior building cladding. Products are available in natural stone (travertine, marble, limestone) and porcelain tile formats.

In Texas, the two most common installation methods are sand set (compacted gravel and sand base) and mud set (concrete mortar bed). Sand set is faster and more economical, suitable for patios and walkways. Mud set provides stronger structural integrity and is the recommended method for pool coping and waterside applications. Faber CNK Stone’s installation guide at fabercnkstone.com covers both methods in detail, including Texas-specific guidance for expansive clay soils.

A French pattern (also called Versailles pattern) combines four different paver sizes arranged in a repeating interlocking design, creating a classic, Old World aesthetic. It is one of the most popular layouts for Texas patios and pool decks. Use the free French Pattern Material Calculator at fabercnkstone.com to estimate quantities and waste factors for your project.

Polymeric sand is a jointing material for paver installations that contains polymer binders activated by water. Unlike standard sand, it locks in place when cured, resists washout from rain or irrigation, prevents weed growth, and deters insects from nesting in joints. Faber CNK Stone stocks Pavermate Z3 polymeric sand and provides a full installation guide on our website.

A proper base is critical, especially in Texas where expansive clay soil causes movement. The standard process:

1. Excavate 6–8 inches below finished grade
2. Compact a crushed granite or gravel base
3. Apply a sand bed (sand set) or concrete mortar bed (mud set)
4. Set pavers to level
5. Fill joints with polymeric sand

Drainage planning is especially important in Texas due to heavy rainfall events. See our full installation guide at fabercnkstone.com/how-to-install-natural-stone-pavers.

Yes. Pool builders, landscape contractors, hardscape installers, and general contractors can open a trade account with wholesale pricing. Contact info@fabercnkstone.com or call (832) 831-7222 to set up an account or request a project quote.

Use our free online tools in the Contractor Toolkit section at fabercnkstone.com:

Pro Pool Material Calculator — Enter pool dimensions to calculate paver and coping quantities
French Pattern Material Calculator — Estimate material and waste for Versailles pattern layouts
Payload & Truck Calculator — Calculate truck payload requirements for large deliveries
Delay Cost Analyzer — Estimate the cost impact of material delays on your project schedule

Yes. Custom stone cutting, special edge profiles, non-standard dimensions, and specific surface finishes are available through our fabrication service. This is ideal for unique architectural requirements, custom pool coping profiles, or large-format slabs. Contact your nearest warehouse showroom to discuss your project requirements and lead time.

Yes, our showrooms are open to walk-in visitors during business hours. For large project consultations, custom fabrication discussions, or material matching, we recommend scheduling an appointment in advance to ensure a dedicated team member is available.

For general inquiries: info@fabercnkstone.com