Stone floors are beautiful, long-lasting and always in style. They can work in just about any room in the house, too. They are durable, easy to clean and add value to a home. Before making an investment in stone floors for your home, ensure you’re choosing the right stone for your aesthetic and needs.
Types of Stone
Natural stone comes in a vast array of colors and patterns. And you guessed it, rare colors and patterns are going to be inherently more expensive. Depending on the type of stone, you may want to consider the cleaning and long-term care each type of stone will need.
Granite
Arguably the most in-demand stone for its versatility in flooring and countertops, granite is one of the hardest natural stones, making it extremely resistant to scratches, heat and stains. It can come highly polished and glossy or more matte and muted. Granite is very well-suited for in-floor heating and can be cold underfoot without it (which makes it great for warmer climates like here in Texas, but less than perfect in those colder climates and locations with more variable seasons). It comes in a wide range of colors—most commonly black, brown, red and white—but it is not out of place to see blue, green and other vibrant colors. Because it is formed under extreme heat and pressure, granite has a mosaic-like pattern with splashes of color flecks, making no two inches of granite the same.
Suggested areas: living areas, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms
Marble
Known for its sophistication, elegance and beauty, marble is what often comes to mind when thinking about stone flooring. While a strong stone, it is porous and requires sealing to protect it from different spills and stains. Like granite, it is a cold stone and can easily accommodate radiant floor heating. Marble can hold a high gloss polish compared to other natural stones but can be easily scratched. It varies in degree of hardness and coloration based on the location where it’s been mined. Whether multi-colored or solid-colored, marble is noted for its rich veins and color variations that easily elevate any room.
Suggested areas: living areas, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms
Limestone
This natural stone is formed of sedimentary material including coral and shells offering a variety of subtle coloring from white and gray to warm brown and honey shades. As it forms, it keeps its striations, giving it similar pattern to wood. Unlike granite and marble, limestone has little color variation and tends to be monochromatic across slabs offering a more subtle, refined flooring option. It’s popular for its ability to add warmth and softness to any space. Limestone is a strong stone, but porous so it should be sealed to avoid stains from acidic spills that may happen in places such as kitchens. It requires more maintenance than granite and marble, for example, and should be carefully vacuumed or swept to avoid scratches from debris.
Suggested areas: living room, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms
Slate
Slate is known for its unique beauty and durability against breaks, chips, cracks and scratches. Typically found in dark gray, brown, red and green, slate has a natural rough surface making it a great choice for areas you need traction or areas prone to moisture. The dark, matte color makes slate a beautiful option for contemporary décor and minimalist tastes. As a metamorphic rock, it splits into sheets easily making it ideal for tile. Slate is highly resilient but requires someone who knows how to install it correctly. This isn’t a DIY project, that’s for sure.
Suggested areas: living areas, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms
Regardless of the type of stone you choose, you can preserve its beauty with a maintenance routine and tile and grout cleaning from Aladdin Cleaning and Restoration. We are offering unparalleled service in the cleaning and care of stone surfaces, whether its flooring, kitchen or bathroom, we can help. Are you also looking for oriental or Persian rugs to complement your design aesthetic? Stop by our showroom today or view online to shop our expansive collection today.