Natural stone has always been a top choice for flooring and other uses. It has a bold, ageless presence that gives any space a rich, organic, lovely look. This is one of the most attractive types of flooring used in construction. They have better qualities than artificial stone items and are mined from the earth’s surface. Here’s a carefully compiled list of the best stone floorings and their benefits to help you understand how to use them in various places.
See also: Kota stone flooring: Pros, cons, kota stone vs granite, and price
Natural stone flooring: Benefits
- Strong, safe and natural: For those who desire a natural appearance for their property without compromising with toughness or safety, sone flooring is a great option.
- Sustainable and robust: Natural stone has a desirable aesthetic impact that brings one closer to nature. It is a sustainable substance. Slate and other natural stones are exceptionally durable and robust building materials.
- Elegant and timeless: One of its various advantages is that it will always look elegant. Natural stone doesn’t go out of style and boosts the value of a home.
- Durable and low maintenance: It is non-combustible and flammable, water-resistant, mould-resistant, and crack-resistant. It is incredibly durable, requires little care, and does not collect dust.
- Maintains air quality: Since they have their natural smell and are effective for heating, they have no adverse effects on the air quality of any indoor place.
- Affordable: They offer a high-end appearance at a low cost and are also simple to maintain. Most kinds only need occasional resealing, and they are simple to clean. They are perfect for flooring with higher loads because of their attractiveness and durability.
- Good heat retention: You can put stone flooring over radiant heat because they retain heat well and are an excellent heat register. This implies that these stones can be positioned on heated flooring.
- Remarkable colour and texture: Each natural stone is an exceptional work of art. Natural stone flooring provides a warm appearance because of their inherent colour and texture. Due to the minerals accumulated over thousands of years when it was formed, every tile has distinct colours and features.
- Cost-effective: Natural stone is slightly more expensive than chemically produced tiles, but if you consider the overall cost, natural stone is far less costly in the long term.
See also about: Kota stone flooring
Stone flooring: Types
There are many different types of stone flooring options you can choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones for your consideration.
Slate stone flooring
Slate is a type of natural stone classified as a metamorphic rock. Slate’s durability is one of its key benefits. Areas with a lot of foot activity and those with a lot of wetness are best suited for it. Slate stone can be either dark or light in colour, striped or speckled, and it may include marine life fossils. The patterns on the stone are frequently referred to as swirls, drusy, or micaceous. Slate has distinctive characteristics that make it visually appealing.
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Granite stone flooring
Granite is among the most widely used kinds of natural stone. It is available in a variety of hues and textures. Compared to other natural stones, granite’s durability is one of its key benefits. Granite is the countertop material of choice for kitchens. It is a fantastic option for room flooring as well. With proper care, granite can resist intense use, heat, spills, and foot traffic. It cannot burn, etch, or scratch. Stains are not an issue when sealed, and darker colours might not even require sealing. You don’t need to sweep and mop daily because cleaning and hiding dirt and grime are superficial.
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Basalt stone flooring
Basalt, a volcanic stone used as the foundation for rock panel facade cladding, is a sustainable raw material sourced ethically. It is easy to clean and may be somewhat soft but can have a polished and smooth finish. Basalt is a sturdy, long-lasting stone available in various colours. It is also an excellent choice for flooring. It withstands intense sun and rain and is highly robust. You may use it both inside and outside. In the heat of the tropics, it stays cold.
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Travertine stone flooring
Because of how it is made, travertine stone is frequently likened to marble or limestone. It is made of sedimentary rock calcite. In its matte form, travertine is commonly used outside for walks, pavement, and pool surrounds. Due to their extensive pores, these floorings heat up poorly. The most prevalent colours of travertine are gold, ivory, and cream. To be used in contemporary decor, travertine might be edged or sharpened. When compared to other forms of stone flooring materials, travertine is less expensive.
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Filled and honed stone flooring
Stone tiles with surface defects filled with grout similar to genuine stone are known as honed and filled stone tiles. Compared to unfilled tiles, these have a perfectly smooth surface, making them simpler to clean and maintain.
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Sandstone flooring
Each piece of sandstone created by nature has a distinct personality thanks to its colour and character. Sandstone is one of the most common forms of stone flooring as a result, particularly in country-style kitchens. Kitchen tiles made of sandstone are highly durable with a grippy surface. It is essential to keep in mind that because the stone is naturally porous, sealing is necessary to keep it from absorbing water. Sandstone’s natural components provide an indescribable charm. In addition to being available in a variety of colours, sandstone has a sense of rock and soil that is absent from imitations.
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Read also: Living room granite flooring options
Quartzite stone flooring
Sandstone and quartz crystals combine to make quartzite under extreme pressure and heat. You can find quartz crystal bands in quartzite, which has a grainy structure. It is the perfect stone for outdoor flooring or other wet environments because of its sandstone-like natural texture when given a natural cleft finish. People who prefer quartzite find the busy patterns of granite and the upkeep required by marble to be too much. A quartzite floor has many advantages for spaces that get a lot of foot traffic. The stone works well outside as well and is frequently used for patios.
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Limestone flooring
Limestone is another crucial natural stone to consider when selecting a flooring option. It has a natural, earthy appearance because it is made of delicate materials like coral and shells. Unlike granite and marble, flooring made of limestone is not naturally slick. The entrance area, bathrooms, and kitchens can benefit from this flooring. Because limestone is supple, it adds a cosy, earthy tone to any space. It is, therefore, perfect for use in bathrooms, kitchens, or any other room you want to brighten up.
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Marble flooring
Marble slabs can be quite delicate and are pretty hefty. The organic surface of marble makes it resistant to dust and allergic organisms, making it both durable and safe. For any installation, always engage professional aid. Because marble stone tiles are environment-friendly, they are perfect for those who care about the environment. Hone the marble to create slips- and stain-resistant texture. For cleaning, stay away from abrasives because they leave scratches.
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Flagstone flooring
Flagstone flooring is a crucial element of farmhouse kitchen design ideas. The vast slabs with tumbled, antiqued edges and a honed polish give the flooring a rustic charm. You can use these gorgeous stone flooring options in kitchens. Flagstone flooring in this contemporary kitchen pays respect to the home’s Georgian past without letting it overpower the room. The most common outdoor applications for flagstone tiles are patios, pathways, steps, and similar structures.
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Onyx flooring
The most common place to find onyx is in caves. Onyx is a quartz crystal that naturally fuses to form a solid stone. Onyx is a precious stone perfect for accentuating other kinds of flooring tile because of its semi-translucent nature, brilliant colour banding, and crystalline quality. Onyx is a more porous, softer stone that is prone to discolouration.
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Artificial stone flooring
Natural stone pieces are combined with cement, polyester, or epoxy resins to create manufactured stone, also known as an agglomerate stone. It is cheaper and resembles natural stone quite closely. Because natural quartz provides depth, sparkle, and strength up to four times the flexural strength of granite, some of the most popular forms are constructed primarily of quartz. Manufactured stone is scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof and comes in an almost infinite variety of colours.
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Stone flooring disadvantages
- Stone flooring, especially natural materials, can be an expensive choice for modern homes.
- Stone floors tend to remain cold, thus may not be suited for colder climates if one does not have a proper heating system.
- Typically, stone flooring may be prone to water damage, stains, scratches, chip, etc. when in the presence of water.
- Stone floors can be slippery and result in slip or fall since there is less cushioning from the floor.
- The installation of stone floors requires professional expertise.
FAQs
Is limestone safe for outdoor use?
It may seem far off to fix them outside, but if you use limestone for exterior floorings, you'll need to know how the new paving responds to bitter winter frosts.
Which cleaning method is best for granite?
A mild liquid dish soap that is biodegradable and phosphate-free can be used to clean granite. You should always use natural stone-specific cleaning and sealing treatments on granite.
How can a stone be kept from staining?
You can shield the stone from stains with sealants, and frequent maintenance will also be beneficial.
What are the types of stone flooring suited for Indian homes?
Marble, Granite, Sandstone, Limestone and Slate are some of the common stone flooring options suited for Indian homes.
Which stone is cheaper for flooring?
While marble and granite stones are expensive, slate and sandstone are relatively affordable.
Which is better stone or tile?
Compared to ceramic tiles, natural stone is a more durable material. However, it also requires regular maintenance.
What is the maintenance of stone floor?
Use a vacuum cleaner or mop to clean the stone floor to keep away dirt, dust, etc.
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