Wood Flooring vs Natural Stone Flooring: Make the Right Choice

Flooring is an important part of any building, as it adds beauty and charm to every room. The flooring provides a smooth, clean, impervious, durable, colourful, hard and attractive surface. It is the cover which has to offer resistance to wear and tear due to human movement and movement of furniture, etc.
Wood and natural stone both are used as flooring material since ancient times. So, there is confusion between wood flooring vs natural stone flooring. When we compare wood flooring vs natural stone flooring both have their own pros and cons. Here we give a brief comparison between them, to help you make a right choice.

Wood Flooring Vs. Natural Stone Flooring
Wood Flooring
Natural Stone Flooring

01. Composition

  • It is obtained by using natural wood or solid wood glued to plywood.
  • It is a flooring obtained by carving natural stone.

02. Properties

(a) Durability

  • If properly maintained, wood flooring can last a lifetime or even more.
  • Natural stone flooring has more durability as compared to wood flooring.

(b) Water Absorption

  • It is porous and so water absorption is high. Hence it is not suitable for wet areas like bathrooms.
  • Except for granite, all natural stones are porous. Water absorption is less as compared to wood flooring.

(c) Resistance to Scratches

  • It has low resistance to scratches. So cracks can be easily formed.
  • It has more resistance to scratches as compared to wood flooring.

(d) Resistance to Staining

  • It has low resistance to stains. It can be easily stained due to oil spillage.
  • Natural stone flooring, if not sealed has low resistance to stains.

(e) Fireproof

  • It catches fire easily.
  • It is fireproof and does not catch fire.

(f) Slip Resistance

  • It is less slippery as compared to natural stone flooring.
  • Natural stone flooring is slippery when wet.

(g) Resistance to Atmospheric Change

  • Wood planks experience contraction in winter and expansion in summer, thus expansion joints must be provided.
  • Atmospheric changes do not have any effect on natural stone flooring.

03. Look

  • As wood is a natural material, it gives a very natural look. It looks classic with any kind of interior of a home.
  • It may be used since ancient times, but some patterns of natural stones give modern look to a home.

04. Installation

  • Its installation is relatively easy as compared to natural stone flooring.
  • Installation process becomes difficult as stones are heavy and the cutting process takes more time.

05. Maintenance

  • Wood flooring has to be maintained with care.
  • It can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner and with a damp cloth. A Wood cleaner can be used. Cleaning with a wet cloth is not recommended.
  • It needs less maintenance as compared to wood flooring.
  • Mopping with wet cloth generally, cleans the surface. A Stone cleaner can be used, but cleaners containing acid must be avoided.

06. Uses

  • It is used in interior areas like living rooms and bedrooms where warmth is required.
  • It is also used as exterior deck flooring.
  • It is also used in areas where strong acoustics are required such as auditoriums and dancing halls.
  • It is ideal for cold regions, as it creates warmth in the flooring.
  • It can be used in any areas either exterior or interior depending on the properties of the stone.
  • Kota stone, marble and granite stone are used in kitchen countertop, shelves, door & window frame etc. These stones are also used in flooring.
  • Sandstones, slates and limestone are used in the outer area of a home.
  • Natural stone can be used as a kitchen flooring, as it can be easily cleaned and is incombustible.
  • It is also suitable for high traffic areas as it has more strength.

07. Advantages

  • Wooden flooring looks classic and traditional and suits with any kind of interior.
  • A variety of textures, grades and colors of wood are available for selection.It is timeless and always remains in fashion.
  • Wood has more friction, so it provides a firm grip to the feet and therefore helps in better movement than tiles.If you have young kids, wood flooring is safer as compared to tiles.
  • It can be easily repaired by sanding, several times over its lifetime.
  • It is warm underfoot, so it is preferable in cold climate.
  • It is renewable and environment-friendly.
Also Read: Advantages and Disadvantages of wood flooring
  • They are strong and more durable.
  • Natural stone flooring is available in a variety of designs and patterns.
  • Natural stone flooring has less water absorption and if properly sealed is stain resistant.
  • It is easy to clean as it has a shiny surface. It can be easily maintained.
  • It is ecological and no energy is required for its manufacture. If damaged broken parts can be used in recycling process.
  • Natural stone flooring if installed, adds up to the value of the property.

08. Disadvantages

  • Wood flooring is very expensive.
  • It has high wear and tear because it has a tendency to develop scratches and dents.
  • They have to be re-polished periodically in areas of heavy foot traffic, which is costlier.
  • They are also prone to termite attack, thus proper care must be taken.
  • Wood flooring can be noisy if rugs are not provided. It is not recommended to walk with heels on wood flooring.
  • Natural stone flooring has to be sealed frequently. If not sealed, it can be easily stained and scratches can be formed.
  • Natural stone is slippery when wet.
  • They have low resistance to acid-based cleaners, bleaches, chemicals.
  • In cold climate, natural stone flooring is cool underfoot. It does not give warmth in cold climate.

09. Cost

  • Depending on the quality of the wood used in the flooring, cost of wood flooring is in range of INR 250 to INR 500 per sq. ft.
  • The cost of natural stone flooring comes in a wide range. Depending on the stone, it can costs from INR 50 to INR 400 per sq. ft.
Also Read:
Pros & Cons of Granite as Building Material
10 Various Uses of Granite in Your Home

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