In your home, flooring is the first surface that experiences a lot of wear and tear, making it crucial to choose wisely when investing in floors. Hence, you need a durable option that can withstand daily activities while creating a welcoming and cozy environment. Now, if you are confused about choosing the best flooring material to give aesthetic appeal while enduring all the depletion, natural stone flooring is your solution. Natural stone flooring is known for its timeless beauty, durability, and long-term value. This blog provides knowledge about natural stone flooring and the types of natural stone flooring to help you choose the best alternative for your house flooring.
So, let’s start by knowing what is natural stone material.
What is Natural Stone Flooring?
As the name suggests, natural stones are used to make the ‘natural stone flooring.’ The use of natural stone as a construction material dates to ancient times. It is available in a wide range of colours and textures, with each type possessing unique strengths and weaknesses. These qualities make each type of stone suitable for specific applications. Natural stone tiles come from blocks of stone that the earth has formed over billions of years. It contrasts with man-made tiles that blend various minerals and chemicals, like porcelain or ceramic tiles.
People consider natural stones to be more elegant and luxurious than all other flooring materials. There are various prevalent types of stone flooring available in the market like marble, granite, quartzite, and many more. It’s a great option for entrances, kitchens, passages, living rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor paving areas.
Natural stone flooring gives depth to a space when the same material is used inside and for the exterior portions. Because of its inherent qualities, it may capture or reflect light, creating the appearance of being breezy and light. Moreover, natural stone houses and structures are timeless, and tiling adds value to a home as its everlasting attractiveness is one of the main qualities.
Types of Natural Stone Flooring
Are you looking for ideas for natural stone flooring? Learning about the various varieties offered is a good place to start. Here are some of the ideal types of natural stone floor tiles.
- Marble Stone Flooring
- Granite Stone Flooring
- Travertine Flooring
- Quartzite Flooring
- Slate Flooring
- Limestone Flooring
- Sandstone Flooring
Let’s dive in and expand the horizon of our understanding about the different types of natural stone flooring.
01. Marble Stone Flooring
- Not only is marble flooring famous because of its traditional luxury appearance, dramatic veining, and smooth texture, but it is also popular for its high-gloss surface.
- It is available in a variety of colours, the most popular of which is white marble. In addition, the sizes of marble tiles range from a wide variety of sizes to mosaic tiles. Almost every shape, such as square, rectangle, round, triangular, and hexagonal, is also accessible.
- Marble is the most extensively used natural stone flooring option for creating a spa-like environment in bathrooms.
- Marble is a great option for flooring as well as worktops in homes because of the different floor tile alternatives.
- It is vital to remember that marble is a soft calcium-based stone that is susceptible to scratching. The enamels from acidic foods and beverages can dull their sheen.
- Bathroom items such as toothpaste and cosmetics may contain acid, which might also harm marble.
- The damage caused to marble bathroom vanities, floors, and showers is considerably less common than damage in the kitchen.
- Marble tile flooring can scratch, although the risk has been reduced, and it is rarely an issue in bathrooms or living areas.
- A marble kitchen floor, on the contrary, may create some upkeep concerns.
- Marble tile flooring can peel, but the risk is minimal, and it is usually not a concern in the bathroom and other living rooms.
- The marble kitchen floor still requires some maintenance.
- Coatings or even surface scratches can be fixed and polished off with DIY materials such as Scratch Removal/Marble Polishing Powders. Even so, such fixes will be common in the kitchen.
- Despite the extra maintenance necessary, marble flooring remains quite popular when it comes to indoor stone flooring.
02. Granite Stone Flooring
- Granite tile outperforms others in terms of durability and is therefore the most effective natural stone flooring for kitchens.
- It is substantially tougher than marble. According to IS 14223 (Part-1): 1995 (Indian Standard Polished Building Stones- Specification, Part-1 Granite), granite has a Mohs hardness grade of 6 to 7.
- It won’t scratch, etch, or burn the skin.
- Spots aren’t a concern once sealed, and darker colours may not even need sealing.
- It’s also easy to keep clean and hide dust and grime, so you do not need to sweep or mop every day.
- Homeowners have been installing granite countertops for decades because they provide excellent all-around performance and are low-maintenance.
- Another advantage is the wide range of colour and pattern options available in granite. Some patterns, however, may be excessively busy for floors.
- Granite is a great paving stone for verandas and parking areas.
- The natural beauty of the stone combined with excellent craftsmanship can result in a unique and stunning design.
- Granite flooring adds luxury and sophistication to any room.
- Granite bathrooms as well as kitchens are extremely popular in modern homes.
03. Travertine Flooring
- Travertine forms when hot spring water bubbles from limestone.
- Its distinct personality and appearance make it a standout flooring choice.
- Travertine tile is a fantastic choice for bathrooms, showers, corridors, living rooms, and laundry room flooring.
- As this stone floor is resistant to moisture and humidity, it is an ideal choice for indoor as well as outdoor stone flooring.
- However, keep in mind that travertine is also related to marble and limestone.
- The performance and maintenance requirements for all three are practically the same.
- All three stones can be scraped and carved.
- It is prone to finish damage from acids and aggressive cleansers.
- It is necessary to know the correct stone flooring maintenance and cleaning techniques.
- Travertine stone flooring may require more care than granite or man-made surfaces such as porcelain tile, as on the kitchen floor (where etching is much more common).
- Tumbled travertine is a common pool deck material.
- Its sandy tone complements the landscape and poolside surroundings.
- It’s also slip-resistant and stays just a little cooler than many of the other surfaces on hot days.
- Because of its durability and non-slip characteristics, it’s also popular as a driveway paving material.
04. Quartzite Flooring
- Quartzite is famous as a decorative tile and wall veneer material, but it has recently risen in popularity as a countertop material. It has the appearance of marble but the durability and performance with the low maintenance of granite.
- People who dislike the busy patterns of granite, as well as the upkeep of marble, prefer quartzite.
- Sandstone transforms into significantly tougher quartzite under heat and pressure.
- Quartzite has a Mohs hardness value of 7 on the scale. It is at least as hard as granite. It has a crystalline brilliance and therefore can withstand the onslaught of chemicals and scratches.
- A quartzite floor can considerably benefit portions of the house/structure that get a significant amount of foot traffic. The stone also holds up well when exposed to the elements, and is thus commonly used in patios.
Pro tip:
- Acidic liquids like lemon juice and vinegar cannot etch quartzite. So, before purchasing “quartzite,” use lemon juice or vinegar to ensure it is not marble because they can look similar. Quartzite, on the other hand, is significantly more durable and simpler to maintain.
- Quartzite is an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor floors. It is suitable for use on indoor floors in all home spaces, including the kitchen. Other popular applications include countertops, vanities, and fireplace surrounds.
05. Slate Flooring
- Another popular floor tile is slate. It stands out for its beautiful grain and characteristic cleft texture. One key benefit of using slate tile is its attractive appearance and durability.
- Slate tile is available in many colours, including green, red, purple, black, and brown, as well as countless colour combinations.
- The amount and variety of iron, as well as other organic compounds present, determine the colour.
- One thing to remember is that the quality, hardness, and durability of slate can vary.
- Some slate is not only exceedingly hard, but it is also resistant to chemical deterioration, scratches, and chipping. In contrast, some slates can be just the opposite.
- It is nearly impossible to reproduce the usual slate texture during repairs. To ensure long-term durability, test the slate tile you intend to buy.
06. Limestone Flooring
- Limestone tile is not as famous as marble or travertine, but it is equally beautiful and has its distinct features.
- This sedimentary rock is composed of calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral calcite, like marble.
- Since it originates in shallow marine water, the pattern contains petrified animals, corals, shells, and algae. Since limestone is famous for its durability and is resistant to cold and abrasion, it is used as a road base, railroad ballast, and concrete aggregate.
- Limestone will need the same attention and care as marble. Avoid using it in areas where acidic foods and beverages are consumed in large quantities, such as the kitchen. However, this works nicely in the bathroom, living room, entryway, or outdoors.
07. Sandstone Flooring
- Sandstone is a warm, earthy stone with a ridged sandy texture or rich red, tan, and brown tones reminiscent of the beach and desert. These are the most common colours, but pink, grey, gold, black, or white are also popular.
- Sandstone is usually a solid colour with no patterns. It can, however, exhibit variegated tones as well as striations of various colours.
- It’s a sedimentary rock composed primarily of cemented silicates, quartz, feldspar, clay, and silt.
- Since sandstone tile is soft and porous, it scratches and stains easily. So, weigh the benefits and drawbacks. It isn’t as strong as granite, but it can last a long time. When put outdoors, the appearance will alter slightly due to wear and weathering.
To conclude, natural stone flooring is a magnificent and stunning alternative for any home due to its durability and strength. Whether you have a contemporary or modern home, many varieties of stone flooring are compatible with most rooms. Stone flooring design options range from the lightest marble to the darkest slate and are extremely versatile and long-lasting. Hence, be careful while choosing the stone flooring types suitable for your home. The best type of stone flooring can complement any home, giving it value and a classy finish.
Also read
Know the Properties of Granite Stone
Granite vs Marble: Make a Right Choice
Author Bio
Mira –