Stone flooring can give your home that stylish and fashionable look that will last for years to come. Stone offers form and function that is suitable for any room in your home. In fact, stone flooring is one of the few options a homeowner can use both on the inside as well as outside of the home. There are a few different types of stone flooring that you can choose from, so it’s critically important to select the right type of material for your particular requirements. Homeowners can choose between marble, granite, limestone, slate, quartz, or travertine. Choosing the wrong one could end up leaving you with an unsatisfying result, so be sure to research and ask a professional for some advice on which one will be the best fit for your particular project.
Benefits of Stone Flooring
One of the major attractions to stone flooring, apart from the warm, pleasant ambiance it creates, is the fact that it’s so durable. Think about some of the most ancient structures on earth…and stone immediately comes to mind. If you are going to stay in your home for many years to come, stone flooring is definitely a solid choice to go by. Another advantage to stone flooring is the fact that it can keep your home cooler. This is especially attractive if you live in the warmer states. In colder states, this can be overcome with some underfloor heating.
Stone may also not be the cheapest option, but it’s attractive natural aesthetic can increase the value of your property tremendously. Stone comes in wide variety of color and pattern options that can add a unique and timeless beauty to your property. That’s why homes with quality stone flooring often tend to sell for a higher price. Stone flooring is also eco-friendly and easy to maintain in some cases. It’s virtually stain resistant, and when scratched, it can simply be re-polished.
Cons of Stone Flooring
Stone flooring is not the cheapest of options, which is one of the main reasons why some people will not opt for this material. Some stone types are also porous and might need regular treatments with a sealing agent. Because stone is such a heavy flooring option, you might be required to have some support in place before it can be installed. Stone tiles might also be uneven due to the layering qualify of the stone. Laying stone can be a very time-consuming process and it has to be done by a knowledgeable professional or you might not get the finish you actually envisioned.
How to Choose The Right Stone Flooring
There are three important factors that will determine the best material to choose when installing your stone floor. Be sure to ask about the following:
Manufacturer’s grade: This falls on a scale of 1-3 with 1 being superior materials and a 3 indicating damaged or mismatched pieces.
Non-Vitreous or Impervious: This rating indicates the absorption rate with Non-Vitreous being highly absorbent and Impervious having the lowest absorption rate.
Coefficient of Friction: This indicates how slippery a material will be when it is wet. The lower the rating, the more slippery the surface will be when it’s wet. This is an especially important factor to consider because you wouldn’t want to put a low coefficient in the in the bathroom.
Before you decide to go ahead with your stone flooring installation project, it’s highly recommended that you get in touch with a local professional to get some advice on what’s going to work best for your home. It’s also a good idea to compare estimates from multiple professionals so that you can be sure you’re not being overcharged.