Flooring is an essential part of your home’s look. While previously not much thought was given on the flooring of a house, it’s importance grew around two decades back when people started exploring the various options that would match their home decor, costs and was a maintainable option. Marble, granite, wood, vitrified tiles, vinyl, bamboo etc. are some popular flooring options. Another option that stood out and went on to become one of the most preferred ones was the Kota stone flooring. Check out details.
What is Kota Stone Flooring?
The Kota stone is a fine-grained form of limestone found in the Kota region of Rajasthan and its surrounding areas. One of the most economical, practical and long-lasting flooring options is Kota stone flooring. This flooring is particularly regarded as being excellent for high-traffic areas. In North and Central India, Kota stone flooring is particularly common since it offers a sturdy and affordable alternative for beautiful flooring.
Kota Stone features
- Natural beauty: Kota Stone is renowned for its fine-grained texture with a smooth and even surface, enhancing the visual appeal of any space where it is used.
- Kota stone colours: From shades of green, blue, brown and grey to a blend of attractive hues, homeowners have the flexibility to choose the perfect Kota Stone colour for their home flooring.
- Durability and strength: The Kota Stone is highly durable and has excellent compressive strength, making it resistant to wear and tear, cracking and chipping.
- Non-slip surface: The Kota Stone is naturally slip-resistant, even when it is wet, making it a safe flooring option, especially for places prone to water spillage.
- Low maintenance: Regular sweeping and mopping are usually sufficient to keep it clean and well-maintained. Additionally, it is resistant to stains.
- Versatility: Kota stone is a versatile material that can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications..
- Weather-resistant: This stone is highly resistant to extreme weather conditions, including heat, rain, and frost. It can withstand harsh environmental factors.
- Environmentally friendly: Kota stone is a natural stone that is eco-friendly and sustainable. Its extraction and production involve minimal processing.
- Cost-effective: Compared to other natural stones, Kota stone is relatively affordable, making it a cost-effective flooring solution for homeowners and businesses.
Kota Stone Flooring advantages
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- Kota Stone tiles are ideal and hygienic flooring for humid places because it is not water absorbent and is anti-slip.
- It is extremely durable and powerful.
- If a new look is desired, the Kota Stone tiles can be repolished.
- It creates a substantial, durable base for kitchen surfaces. The Kota Stone base is frequently covered with granite or marble slab countertops.
- It is comfortable to walk on since it is an excellent heat reflector.
Kota stone flooring disadvantages
- Like marble or granite, the Kota Stone flooring is not offered in large slab sizes. Kota stone is a highly delicate kind of limestone that is only offered in modest sizes.
- Kota Stone is readily discoloured and not acid or alkali resistant.
- Flaking could occur if the Kota Stone is used frequently. However, flaking of the stone might be avoided if it is constantly polished and kept in good condition.
- It does not have the same shiny surface polish as marble or granite.
- The Kota Stone does require routine maintenance. Avoid the use of heavy furniture.
What are similarities between Kota Stone and Granite?
| Features | Kota Stone | Granite |
| Occurrance | Natural from earth’s surface | Natural from earth’s surface |
| Colours available | Natural shades of brown, green | Natural shades of brown, green |
| Durability | Very durable | Very durable, resistant to chipping |
What is the difference between Kota Stone and Granite?
| Features | Kota Stone | Granite |
| Stone type | Soft stone made of natural fine-grained limestone. | Hard stone made of coarse-grained crystalline structure. |
| Mined from | Quarried from natural deposits that are found on earth’s surface. | Granite is mined from plutons |
| Cost | Inexpensive | Affordable |
| Porosity | Porus | Non-porus |
| Corrosion resistant | Less resistant to acid. Kota Stone is subjected to face discolouration if exposed to acid for long period of time. | High resistance to corrosion caused by acid. |
| Type of surface | Non-slippery | Slippery when wet |
| Shine | Doesn’t have natural lustre and shine | Has a natural shine |
| Where is it used | Flooring in pathways, lobbies, terrace, patios, bathroom, kitchen slabs, wall cladding | Kitchen place, bathroom slab, table top, floor |
What is the difference between Kota Stone and Marble?
| Features | Marble | Kota stone |
| Stone type | Hard stone | Soft stone |
| Porosity level | High porosity | Low porosity |
| Acid resistant | High resistance to corrosion caused by acid. | Less resistant to acid. |
| Cost | Cheap | Affordable |
| Surface | Slippery when wet | Non – slippery |
Where is Kota Stone flooring best suited?
Kota stone flooring is a versatile and durable option that finds its best use in various settings. Here are some places where Kota stone flooring is best suited:
- Residential interiors: Kota stone flooring adds an elegant touch to residential interiors such as living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas.
- Kitchen and dining areas: The non-slip surface of Kota stone makes it an ideal choice for kitchen and dining areas where spills and splashes are common.
- Bathrooms: Kota stone’s natural slip resistance and ability to withstand moisture and humid conditions makes it a safe option for bathroom flooring and walls.
- Commercial spaces: In commercial areas like offices, hotels, restaurants and retail stores, Kota stone’s durability can withstand heavy foot traffic and maintain its elegant appearance over time.
- Courtyards and verandas: In outdoor spaces like courtyards, verandas and walkways, Kota stone’s weather-resistant properties ensure it withstands varying climatic conditions.
- Swimming pool decks: The non-slip nature of Kota stone makes it an excellent choice for swimming pool decks.
Cost of Kota Stone Flooring
| Size | Price per piece |
| 9 x 9 inch | Rs 5 – Rs 8 |
| 10 x 10 inch | Rs 7 – Rs 10 |
| 11 x 11 inch | Rs 9 – Rs 12 |
| 17 x 11 inch | Rs 16- Rs 20 |
| 21 x 21 inch | Rs 55 – Rs 60 |
| 22 x 9 inch | Rs 14- Rs 20 |
| 22 x 10 inch | Rs 20 – Rs 28 |
| 22 x 14 inch | Rs 35 – Rs 40 |
| 22 x 15 inch | Rs 38 – Rs 45 |
*Note that the Kota Stone price mentioned are of tiles that would be around 18-32 mm thick
One of the least expensive options for flooring is Kota stone. The cost of the Kota Stone tiles in the market ranges between Rs 30 and Rs 35 per square foot (sqft). The largest size of the Kota Stone tile is around 240 cm by 75 cm, though they come in a wide range of sizes.
Labour, grout, cement and sand are the other charges that add to the Kota stone price and must be paid when installing the Kota Stone flooring. Additionally, the cost of Kota Stone polishing will range between Rs 20 and Rs 25 per sqft in addition to these expenses.
Is Kota Stone good for flooring?
Kota Stone is a good flooring when you are looking for sturdy, good looking inexpensive flooring. These can be used in bathrooms, outdoors, living spaces, kitchen tiles etc.
How to make Kota Stone ready for installation?
- Raw rock slabs: Ensure that the slab is of good quality, solid, uniform and doesn’t have any cuts. Cut the slab to the desired thickness and polish the exposed surface. Before installation, the contractor must get the Kota Stone slab certified by the relevant engineer.
- Clean the surface before the slabs are set.
- The slab’s area is prepared by applying 1:4 cement to coarse sand and applied for the needed thickness.
- Next finish, cure and polish the slab for seven days and finally its ready for installation.
Installation of Horizontal Surface and Vertical Surface
- Apply a 20-25 mm thick foundation of cement mortar in 1:3 ratio.
- A waterproofing compound should be mixed into the cement slurry used to grout joints.
- Finish the top with 10 to 12 mm-thick stone aggregate.
How can you maintain Kota Flooring?
Source: Pinterest/gharexpert
- Using a wet sponge is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to clean Kota stone. As you scrub the floor, wring out the sponge. Avoid using hot water during the process and instead utilise cold or lukewarm water.
- If your home is equipped with a vacuum cleaner, you are in luck. The floor made of Kota stone can be cleaned most effectively in this manner. Simply use your device’s squeegee attachment.
- You can use whichever mild liquid dishwashing detergent you choose to scrub the floor each day. Just be sure there are no active components in the detergent, such as vinegar or lemon.
- The market is filled with several polishes that can be used to clean Kota tiles. A Kota stone floor will not appear as well if the polish contains acid or alkali. Use an old cloth to apply the polish of your choice.
Housing.com POV
Kota Stone is a very good looking inexpensive option for your home solutions- be it flooring, kitchen slab, wall panelling etc. It’s a good idea to explore this option if you are looking at something that stands out look wise while being easy on the pocket. Also, along with the likability factor, the Kota Stone Flooring is easy to maintain, making it a hit home interior solutions product.
FAQs
How many different sorts of Kota stones exist?
Kota stone comes in a variety of finishes, including rough, semi-polished, high-polished, mirror polished, short blast, leather finished, lappato finish, and matte-finish.
Do Kota stones cost less than marble?
Contrary to natural stones like marble and granite, which are more expensive, the stone is fairly affordable despite having numerous distinctive qualities. The size and thickness of the stone, however, affect the stone's cost.
Is Kota stone durable?
Kota stone flooring is the most durable alternative due to its non-porous nature and tolerance to extreme temperatures. Such floorings are appropriate for outdoor use because of their temperature resistance, adding an enticing touch to your property.
Is Kota Stone good for flooring?
One of the hardest and durable stone types, Kota Stone is preferred for flooring of commercial buildings, garden patios, lobbies, home flooring, balconies and terraces.
Which is cheaper Kota Stone or tiles?
According to reports, Kota Stone is cheaper than Vitrified Tiles.
Which is better Kota or Granite?
While Kota Stone is affordable as compared to Granite, the latter wins over looks, lustier and strudyiness.
Is Kota Stone water proof?
As it is a natural stone, it is water proof and is used to line basements.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |