When we’re considering a home improvement project aimed at making a statement, bringing uniqueness to our houses, and making us feel glad about going back home every day, we often forget to think about flooring. However, there’s a lot of potential in investing in the ground we step on. Especially if getting stone tiles for flooring applications is on the table.
In this article, we will share all you need to know about natural stone flooring in order to confidently opt for a gorgeous and long-lasting floor.
The benefits of using stone tiles for flooring
While ceramic tiles are still a more widespread choice of flooring material, especially due to it’s cheaper price, natural stone tiles for flooring emerge as an alternative that’s synonymous with beauty, durability, and value.
Beauty
Handsome stone floors are able to add elegance to any room in a timeless way. Stone tiles carry the complex beauty of nature itself, and each one of them is completely unique.
If remarkable and strikingly beautiful are words you’re looking for when redesigning your home, then natural stone flooring is the right choice for you.
Durability
When properly installed, natural stone tiles for flooring will remain beautiful for longer than you and I will last on this earth. In order to ensure that, the only maintenance required is periodic sealing and normal cleaning.
Natural stones are the toughest of the flooring materials, and will also resist well to cracking, staining, and scratching, which makes them perfect for heavy traffic areas. Including outdoors.
Value
Investments in natural stones are not lost to vanity. They also grant a return in your property value!
This amazing material is able to combine all these traits and still offer an incredible selection of colors, patterns and even textures. There’s something to suit every taste and to be installed in all spaces of your house.
However, this amazing selection also brings doubt and confusion about how to choose the right stone. When it comes to appearance you can trust your tastes, but you must keep an eye open for the different physical properties of each rock.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Stone Tiles
When selecting stone tiles for flooring, you should be aware of some physical properties that make some stones more desirable than others. Ask your supplier about those before you make up your mind.
Porosity (Absorption Rating)
Porosity is a measure of the amount of pores (tiny holes) in a given material or surface. This quality is directly related to the liquid absorption rating of that material. The more porous and absorbent a stone is, the more likely it is to stain.
More porous stones, when used as stone tiles, will require extra maintenance and more constant sealing.
Natural stones come in different porosity levels, some are very liquid absorbent, like sandstone, and others are almost non-porous, like granite.
More porous stones also tend to be softer, what relates that property with the next one we will present.
Hardness (Resistance to Scratches)
Harder stones offer greater durability. Hardness speaks directly about resistance to being scratched.
Stones with great hardness won’t show marks easily. They also will be more resistant to cracking, chipping and even less porous. Granite tiles are again a great example of a hard and resistant option.
Coefficient of Friction
This property is especially important if there are kids or elder people living in the house. Stone tiles of very low coefficient of friction will be very slippery and inadequate for moist areas like the bathroom or the pool deck.
Polished tiles offer high glow and low friction, while different finishes will allow for texturized slip-proof surfaces.
The best natural stone tiles for flooring
With all that in mind, you must be wondering what are the best stone tile materials, and unfortunately, there’s no one answer to that question.
If less maintenance and higher durability are things you value a lot, you will be safer with granite, quartzite and some varieties of slate.
However, if you’re in love with marble, travertine or other softer rocks, you shouldn’t think twice. They’re still low maintenance, and they will still last a lifetime.
What’s really important is that you find a stone supplier to present you with the best options and who is able to provide you with a flawless installation.
If you live in Florida, we’re ready to help you make the best decision. Schedule a free in-home estimate today!
