Stone for floors

5 OF THE BEST TYPES OF STONE FLOORING — Marble Unlimited Inc

January 4, 2022 Marble Unlimited Inc

Because of their durability and strength natural stones are a noble and elegant choice for any home. The best types of stone flooring can suit all homes, adding value and a sophisticated finish to your space.

Different types of stone flooring will work in most rooms, whether you have a contemporary or modern home. From the palest marble to the darkest slate the design possibilities of stone flooring are incredibly wide and very durable.

Stone floors are widely considered to add value to a property, but choose wisely as once laid you won’t want to change them for years.

1. Granite

Granite is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes. Colors range from blue and purple shades through to grey and olive green, and they often include rusty red markings. It has proven to be a flexible choice as it can be adapted to most home aesthetics. It is incredibly durable so it will work great in high traffic areas like a hallway or a kitchen.

Photo: apartment Therapy

2. Slate

Slate is a more affordable choice within the spectrum of natural stone floorings. It works great in wet areas like bathrooms and the kitchen, you just have to be mindful of any acidic spills. It is available in a wide variety of finishes giving a unique look to your home.

Photo by: flooring superstore UK

3. Marble

Marble floors always add value and sophistication to your space. Similar to granite it can be found in a wide range of shades, from various greys through to green and black.

Marble floors are always a better choice in area of low foot traffic like bathrooms or even a kitchen if you don’t use it too much.

Photo: Surrey Showroom

4. Limestone

Limestone is an amazing choice for a rustic type of look. Occurring in many tones, from nearly white to the more common warm honey, as well as rarer greys and dark browns. Textures range from even-grained stones to smoother types resembling to marble. It is resistant to mold and bacteria so it works really well as a bathroom option or for an outdoor project.

Photo: Surrey Showroom

5. Travertine

Travertine is an elegant, and character-filled material. When installed correctly, travertine is one of the most durable stones for bathrooms and showers. It is an excellent choice for outdoor areas or around swimming pools as it is both durable and slip resistant.

Photo by: Klinker Stone

Filed in: Architecture, Architecture inspiration, Bathroom decor, Bathroom design, flooring, interior design, interior trends, Kitchen design, Kitchen interior, limestone, limestone floors, Luxury bathrooms, Luxury Stones, marble, marble bathrooms, marble flooring, marble interior, marble living room, marble proyects, Natural stone, natural stone floooring, Travertine floor, travertine floors, trends, White marble

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Your Guide To Natural Stone Flooring

Joseph Lewitin

Joseph Lewitin is a flooring expert who grew up in the industry. In his youth, he began working in his family's tile import business, learning every aspect of the flooring industry, from design and fabrication to maintenance and repair. He also owned a flooring materials store specializing in natural stone floors.

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Updated on 10/24/22

Reviewed by

Johnathan Brewer

Reviewed by Johnathan Brewer

Johnathan Brewer is a home improvement expert with over two decades of professional experience as a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen and bath. He has been featured on HGTV’s “Super Scapes,” “Curb Appeal the Block,” “Elbow Room,” DIY Network's “House Crashers,” "This Old House," and OWN Network's Emmy award winning show, “Home Made Simple.” Jonathan is also a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

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Among flooring materials, none is more elegant and luxurious than natural stone. The term "natural stone" refers to a variety of mountain-born mineral substances that stand in contrast to any synthetic or manufactured stone products. Common natural stone flooring includes slate, marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and sandstone—each of which has slightly different properties. It's important to understand the characteristics of the type of stone flooring tile you are purchasing in order to determine whether it is appropriate for a specific location.

As you shop for natural stone tiles, these are a number of general factors that you should consider.

Tip

When buying natural stone, keep a couple of extra boxes. Should you need to replace any damaged tile in the future, the stone will look consistent.

Absorption Rating

The absorption rating refers to how porous a given material is. The more absorbent it is, the more susceptible the stone will be to stain. Absorbent stone can also be prone to cracking damage if it is subjected to freezing conditions. Natural stones vary greatly in their absorption rates, with sandstone being the most porous and granite the most impervious to water absorption. Absorption rates are classified according to the following terms:

Non-vitreous: This is the highest absorption level. In most cases, non-vitreous tiles should not be used in any damp environment.
Semi-vitreous: While these tiles are less absorbent, the more liquid they are exposed to, the more maintenance they will require.
Vitreous: This is the standard absorption level for flooring tiles and these materials are generally considered appropriate for most low- to mid-traffic indoor and outdoor applications.
Impervious: These materials are resistant to the absorption of liquids and thus will be easier to maintain. They are often used in high-traffic commercial applications.

In general, sandstone is the most porous natural stone material. Travertine, limestone, and slate have medium absorbency, while granite is relatively waterproof. Polished materials also absorb less water than honed or cleft surfaces.

Grade

Some retailers use a grading system to rate the quality of materials. This can refer to the size, shape, and thickness of the tile, as well as the condition of its surface. Most grading systems have three levels of quality:

Grade 1 refers to high-quality, uniform materials.
Grade 2 consists of materials with minor defects, such as chips, scratches, or irregular surfaces.
Grade 3 materials have major flaws in size, shape, surface, or chipping, making them appropriate only as accent pieces, or in certain rustic decorative applications.

Coefficient of Friction

This measures how slippery various materials are. The higher the coefficient, the more traction a tile will have. This number is especially important in moist environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, as well as high-traffic commercial areas. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that flooring material has a minimum of a .6 dryness coefficient.

The Spruce / Jie En Lee

Indoor vs. Outdoor Rating

Some natural stone flooring materials are more suited to outdoor applications than others. Many of the factors above will determine whether a material should be used in an open-air environment.

Warning

Non-vitreous materials will be subject to staining through dirt and acid rain, as well as cracking when absorbed materials freeze and expand. Stones that have a low coefficient of friction will also pose a slipping hazard during rain and snowstorms.

Oxidation

Natural stone materials are formed beneath the earth over millions of years, and often contain a variety of disparate elements. Sometimes iron is present in these materials, which can manifest as bright red and amber hues in the surface of the stone. The problem in an outdoor environment is that those traces of iron can oxidize, a process more commonly known as rusting. This can cause the entire tile to degenerate over time.

Benefits of Using Natural Stone Flooring

There are many aesthetic and practical reasons why natural stone flooring can be a good choice:

Each piece of stone is a unique creation of the earth, making every flooring application one of a kind. Every floor is entirely unique.
The mountain-born qualities of the stone can help to give living spaces a direct and eternal connection to the natural world, unlike any other building material.
Stone tiles are natural, nonpolluting, eco-friendly pieces. Purchasing stones which were acquired locally can cut down on the environmental impact of transport.

Drawbacks of Using Natural Stone Flooring

There are also some drawbacks to the use of natural stone:

With the exception of granite and some slate, natural stone is quite porous and needs to be treated with a sealing agent periodically to protect its surfaces.
Some polished materials such as marble can scratch easily.
Some stones are very brittle and will chip easily.

When purchasing natural stone flooring materials it is important to do your research and understand the characteristics of the material you are purchasing. Find out whether it is appropriate for your specific application and how much maintenance it will require. Ask your retailer questions, and thoroughly research the stone before you make a purchase.

Facing (finishing) the floor with stone

Abramova Polina

direction manager

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From time immemorial, natural stone has been used for flooring as one of the most durable and at the same time beautiful materials. Design options are diverse - it can be a simple stone tile, a checkerboard pattern, a complex ornament or a unique mosaic. It all depends on the chosen style and the budget of the project.

Thanks to modern technologies, it was possible to cope with the main disadvantage of a stone floor - low thermal conductivity. As a rule, the tile is laid on top of the heated structure. In addition, it is extremely important that experienced builders deal with stone flooring, because. stone is far from the cheapest material, and correcting any errors during installation will be very expensive. nine0003

SELECTION OF STONES FOR FLOORING

The choice of stone for floors should be based on the conditions of the room. Marble and granite floors have long been the norm, but there are other interesting options for laying the floor.

for commercial establishments, galleries and stations (high traffic areas) granite and basalt are perfect. Such rocks are characterized by low abrasion and high resistance to pollution and acids. This is very important, because during the winter, due to dirt, sand and salt, significant damage to the surface of the stone can be caused; nine0020
among the "domestic" rocks, the greatest demand is typical for marble, marble onyx, travertine and limestone. They are not as hard-wearing and impact-resistant, however, when used at home, they will last a very long time. We advise you not to use marble for finishing the hallway and rooms where perfect cleanliness is not always maintained;
slate stands out for texture. With it, you can create interesting and unusual interiors. But it has a layered structure and it is for this reason that during the first year of use the floors are subject to “peeling”. In addition, this option can noticeably suffer from sharp heels and stilettos; nine0020
quartzite, in fact, has the strength of granite and the beauty of marble, but it has one significant drawback - the cost is 2-3 times higher than most granites and marbles. It is not easy to saw, grind and polish. In this regard, non-edged slabs with a slightly uneven surface are often used.

FEATURES OF FINISHES AND FINISHES

Ideally, the beauty of the floor is combined with its safety. Due to the high humidity, stone floors are slippery, and this is fraught with injury. The texture should definitely be remembered when lining a bathroom or pool. nine0003

Tiles of the following sizes are commonly used: 305*305, 600*300, 600*600 and others. In addition, you can create a unique tile that resembles honeycombs or diamonds. The premium segment prefers mosaic marble floors or creating an interesting panel. The architect, together with the customer, develops a suitable drawing. We, in turn, embody ideas with the help of professional designers, as well as use precise cutting machines with program control.

Recently, the "butterfly" has been especially popular. In this option, several solid stone slabs (2 or 4) from one stone block are laid out next to each other. It turns out a unique pattern from the reflected veins of the stone. nine0003

INSTALLATION OF THE STONE FLOOR

Before the installation of the stone floor, all engineering communications must be installed: heating and water supply pipes, wires, underfloor heating. You should also carry out waterproofing, install a reinforcing mesh and perform a finishing screed. It should be noted that the thickness of the future coating and the adhesive layer affects the screed. Usually it is 5-10 mm, if the thickness of the stone is 20 mm. A number of requirements are imposed on it - the screed must be dry, clean and made in a perfectly even layer. nine0003

We work with trusted manufacturers who specialize in stone chemicals.

There are 2 most popular tiling methods:

Tiling with minimal overlap. It is important that the surface of the tile is even. At the joints should not remain noticeable traces of the solution. Until the repair is completed, the floor should be closed, and the joints sealed with construction tape. Then it is necessary to carry out a complex repolishing in order to update the texture and achieve the highest possible smoothness of the floor. nine0020
In the second case, a chamfer is applied along the entire perimeter of the tile. As a rule, the chamfer is barely noticeable, but there are different options - depending on the planned relief of the floor. With this finish, the mortar filling the space between the tiles is clearly visible. But in this case it looks quite interesting and neat.

STONE FLOOR CARE

A stone floor can serve you for centuries, but its safety depends on three factors:

the right choice of stone and its texture; nine0020
compliance with floor laying standards;
further implementation of simple rules for the care of the stone. From time to time, treat it with a water repellent - a substance that creates a barrier against moisture, dirt and dust.

You can learn more about the rules for the operation of the stone floor from the article "Care of the stone floor".

Natural stone floors - Art Stone Group Moscow

Contents

Features and benefits of natural stone floors
Minerals and rocks for floors
The texture of the front surface of the stone
How to choose the material for the floor
Laying options
Features of laying natural stone tiles

Interiors dominated by natural materials look stylish and respectable. Natural wood and stone finishes never get boring. She delights with unique textures and subtle tonal transitions of colors and shades.

Features and benefits of natural stone floors

Natural stone floors are appropriate in any interior - whether it is the luxury of a palace setting or the laconic lines of minimalism. They are perfectly combined with materials such as wood, forged metal, decorative glass. In modern style interiors, designers often use furniture and other elements made of polymeric materials that look very impressive against the background of natural granite or marble slabs. nine0003

Natural stone attracts not only with its beauty and variety of textures, but also with high performance. Stone floors are resistant to abrasion and other mechanical damage. And if scuffs appear on the polished surface of the plates over time, they can be re-sanded without any problems and restore the original mirror shine.

Minerals and rocks for floors

Each natural stone has its own "character". Different rocks differ in hardness, strength, resistance to abrasion and other indicators. Therefore, when choosing the appropriate type of finish for floors, it is necessary to take into account not only the style and color of the interior, but also the purpose of the room and the features of its operation. nine0003

Granite . Granular rock, which in its strength and hardness surpasses almost all types of natural finishing stone. It has high frost resistance and low water permeability. Granite can be used both for finishing indoor floors and for laying outdoors (terraces, unglazed verandas). The color range of this stone is very extensive - these are various shades of gray, red and black tones.

Marble . Marble is the most popular type of interior finishing stone. It is easy to process, thanks to which the floor finish can be supplemented with curly elements: profile skirting boards, steps with a rounded edge. A variety of colors of marble includes almost the entire color palette. There are pink, green and even purple varieties of this stone. Marble is not very resistant to abrasion, temperature extremes and acidic environments. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for finishing floors in rooms with a low transit load. And to care for the surface, you need to use neutral detergents that do not contain acids. nine0020

Travertine . Limestone fine-grained rock. Easy to grind and polish. The color range of the stone shows the whole range of brown tones - from beige and yellowish to rich gray-brown shades. Travertine is a rather fragile and soft stone. It is suitable for finishing floors in rooms with a small transit load - apartments, private houses, representative offices.

Sandstone . Granular, rather loose rock, which includes quartz, mica, feldspars. The stone is easy to process, attracts with a peculiar surface texture and low price. But sandstone is highly hygroscopic, so it is undesirable to use it for finishing floors in wet areas: bathrooms, swimming pools. nine0020
Slate . Sedimentary rock with a layered structure. It has sufficient strength and resistance to abrasion. The color palette is dominated by calm beige and gray tones. Slate floor tiles are often used in high-tech or minimalist interiors. It goes well with polished stainless steel, glass surfaces.

Limestone . This stone is interesting in that in addition to the mineral component, it includes concretions of organic origin. These are elements of fossilized sea shells, small aquatic organisms, plants. A bizarre pattern appears on the surface of polished limestone, including elements of marine flora and fauna. Limestone is a real find for those who create an interior in an eco-friendly style. nine0020

Onyx . Quartz rock with a layered texture. The stone is valued for its variety of colors and the beauty of the pattern that layers of different colors create. The material is easy to process, easy to grind and polish. Onyx tiled floors look truly luxurious. But the price of this material is quite high - in comparison with other varieties of finishing stone. Therefore, when finishing the floor, onyx is most often used for the manufacture of individual decorative elements - for example, mosaic panels. nine0020

The texture of the front surface of the stone

The appearance of the finished floor largely depends not only on the type of decorative stone chosen, but also on the method of finishing its surface.

Polished . Shiny, reflective surface that gives the interior a festive, luxurious look. But polished soft varieties of stone (marble, travertine) quickly appear scratches and scuffs. It is possible to protect the surface from abrasive effects by crystallization. This is a special treatment using chemicals that strengthen the upper layers of the stone. nine0020

Matt . A versatile type of surface that will look great in both classic and modern environments. On a matte surface, the color and features of the texture of the material are well manifested. At the same time, traces of abrasive influences are practically invisible on it.

Sanded . Smooth, slightly rough surface, on which traces of processing by abrasive tools may be visible. It has good anti-slip properties. According to their performance, such floors are ideal for wet rooms, baths or saunas, entrance areas, kitchens. nine0020

Antique . With the help of special types of mechanical processing, a micro-relief is created on the surface of the stone, which imitates the surface of an old stone floor. This texture is in harmony with the elements of the country style, Provence, grunge, vintage.

Sandblasting . Sandblasting significantly brightens the natural color of the stone. On such a surface, the natural texture is practically not visible. But sandblasted floors are completely non-slip. On their surface scratches, scuffs and other traces of mechanical influences are not visible. nine0020

How to choose the material for the floor

When choosing stone tiles for the floor, one should be guided not only by personal preferences and stylistic features of the interior, but also by the operational features of the room. For exit areas (hallways and halls), polished or matte granite will be the best option. It is resistant to mechanical damage and other negative influences. On a granular granite surface, sand and other particles of pollution brought in from the street will not be too noticeable. nine0003

In terms of performance, granite floors are also well suited for kitchens. This stone is resistant (unlike marble) to food acids, strong detergents. Granite does not absorb coloring liquids and is easily cleaned of dirt. In wet rooms (bath, swimming pool) it is undesirable to use a stone with a polished surface. To finish the bedroom and living room, you can use any kind of stone tiles that are combined with the stylistic and color solutions of the interior. nine0003

Installation options

When choosing the right stone tile for flooring, pay attention to its format. Incorrectly selected dimensions of the finishing stone can visually distort the proportions of the room, for example, make it much smaller than it actually is.

Slabs . Large-format slabs that make it possible to fully enjoy the beauty of natural stone patterns. Typically, marble and travertine slabs are used for flooring. This decor is suitable for large rooms. A polished slab floor would look great in a living room. nine0020
Mosaic floor set . Mosaic elements made of marble and onyx will decorate the interior of any room, whether it is a luxurious bathroom or a reception hall. Mosaic can be used to lay out borders or friezes, you can also make panels with an ornament or a thematic pattern from it. But you should not lay mosaics on the entire plane of the floor in the room. Such a finish will look too colorful and can visually reduce the size of the room.

Standard board sizes . Each manufacturer of stone tiles offers a fairly large selection of standard sizes. The model range can include both square and rectangular formats. Finishing the floor with slabs of standard sizes is the best option for the price. It will cost the buyer much less than custom-made decor made of the same stone.

Features of laying natural stone tiles

In order for stone floors to retain their integrity and attractive appearance for a long time, it is necessary to choose the right material for laying one or another type of stone. nine0003

For cement . Laying stone on cement mortar has its advantages. This material is widely available, inexpensive, has high strength and durability. Laying on cement mortar allows you to even out small differences in level. But this method of laying is recommended only for those types of stone that do not absorb moisture - first of all, for granite and slate.
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