If you are looking for a floor that is strong and durable without compromising its natural beauty, a stone floor is the perfect choice. Stone floors are often seen in commercial businesses due to their strength and attractiveness, but they are also an excellent choice for homes. The stone has recently gained popularity because it is eco-friendly and comes from natural products extracted from the Earth. And since the stone comes from our planet, no two floors are the same. Enjoy a mix of colors, grooves and imperfections that each stone captures for a floor that is also a work of art.
Stone floors offer a stylish appearance and are fairly easy to maintain, as regular vacuuming and sweeping is sufficient. They don’t harbor mold or dust mites, making them practical options for those with allergies or asthma. Plus, they’re stain resistant and give plenty of time to clean up spills from kids and pets. Stone is also a popular choice in hot climates, because it keeps the floor cool. When properly sealed, this type of flooring can last a lifetime.
Choosing stone floors
One of the biggest drawbacks of stone is that it is expensive. The cost of the material alone is beyond the budgets of many homeowners, which is why people migrate. However, there are wonderful ways to enjoy the look of stone in your home without breaking the bank. Most people don’t know that stone can be purchased in various ways; many of them affordable and capturing their true beauty. One of the easiest ways to save money is to buy stone flooring in bulk, but there are other ways to cut costs as well.
The most obvious way to buy stone floors is with natural stone, which is also the most expensive. However, a variety of materials are used, including limestone, marble, slate, travertine, flagstone, granite, and sandstone. These materials vary in color, texture, appearance, and cost. Also keep in mind the size of the stone, as some houses and structures cannot support the weight of a heavy stone floor.
Also consider the durability of the stone, as granite is strong and scratch resistant, while slate can crack and chip if not sealed properly. Sandstone is textured and available in a range of colours, while marble incorporates various shades and has a veined surface. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to choose the one that best suits your home and foot traffic.
Affordable Flooring Options
Faux stone flooring is another option that is made of vinyl or laminate. These options are ideal when you’re on a tight budget, and with improved technology, they look similar to the real thing. They’re also not that heavy, making them more versatile for any room in the house. Even better is that these types of floors require less maintenance since they do not need to be sealed on a regular basis. Vinyl can be purchased in tiles or sheets and is durable and scratch resistant. Laminates feature photos of actual stone, so you can enjoy the authentic look of stone varieties. Laminates are also strong and resistant to scratches and wear, although extra caution should be taken in wet areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
There are many advantages to faux stone flooring, but many people feel that if you want the real thing, these floors simply won’t capture real stone. These same people argue that it’s not the look that raised floors lack, but the texture. While this is true, you may ultimately find that a cool stone texture is not ideal for your home in the first place. Vinyl and laminates are warmer and available in a variety of colors, so it’s easy to achieve a cozy feel in any room in the house.
An affordable alternative to vinyl and laminate is a stone tile floor. Stone tiles are actual pieces of stone cut into tiles. They are the middle ground between stone floors and faux stone floors, as they are made from real materials but do not capture the natural, irregular shapes and sizes of stone. However, these tiles are easier to work with and they make installation and grouting easier. Best of all, you can still enjoy the authentic look of the stone and incorporate a variety of shades.
Floor Design Options
With stone floors, there are no limits to where they can be installed in the home. They are elegant and attractive, each telling its own story. With improved advancements in the flooring industry, it is possible to install stone floors on a budget, as well as reap the benefits of stone without all the tedious maintenance and resealing.