Stone Flooring

Stone flooring comes in a wide variety of choices for material, as well as colors, shapes, sizes, patterns, and textures. Some people will install stone flooring as a single color while other people will begin to mix and match, coming up with something unique. Without doubt, stone flooring adds a certain warmth and character that is difficult to achieve with any other flooring material.

Sometimes, people will use the term “tile” for “stone” and vice versa but in truth, they are different from a fundamental standpoint. In other words, stone is stone, which includes limestone, flagstone, marble, quarried slate, and marble. For tile, you have pieces of flooring made from large pieces of clay that have been fired to make them hard and strong. Now, you can buy stone tile. In this case, the stone is made from actual stone aggregate, which has been designed to suspend in some type of polymer binder, making it far more affordable than pure natural stone.

When purchasing tile, you have a choice of glazed and unglazed. If you go with glazed tile, you end up with a smooth, hard surface that will not absorb water and is stain resistant. The glaze is added after the tile has gone through one firing but before it goes through the second. The result is beautiful color and texture. In fact, you can choose glazed tile in all types of beautiful colors, along with finishes such as satin, high gloss, dull, matte, textured, or smooth.

If you go with unglazed tile, the color is that of the clay or pigment can be added. The benefit to unglazed tile is that it does not scratch as easily but then the surface is also not as hard, making it more susceptible to stains. Whether going with tile or stone flooring, you will also have your choice of various sizes although 12 x 12-inch is a popular choice. However, some people will incorporate smaller pieces to create a unique design.

No matter the type of flooring you choose, be sure it has a nonskid and stain resistant surface, especially if in a family room or kitchen. You also want the tile or stone to be sealed on a regular basis to protect it and help it last longer. Just remember that stone flooring weighs a lot. In addition, stone flooring is not giving to movement. Therefore, if you decide to go with tile or stone flooring, be sure the underlay is durable and strong enough to accommodate this weight.