04 Jun 09 The Various Types of Stone Floor
Once you’ve decided you want to install stone flooring in your home, you have another choice to make: what kind of stone do you want to use in your house? There are several different options, each with its own advantages. Some are gorgeous, while others are incredibly durable and will hold up to years of heavy traffic. It all depends on your budget, where you’re placing the stones, and what look you’re going for.
Granite is one of the more popular materials to use, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and other very high traffic areas. Granite looks amazing, and many people choose granite simply for its visual appeal. This is why granite is sometimes used on facades and other areas, not just flooring. One of the downsides to granite is that it’s more expensive than some of the other stone materials; however, granite does have a very long lifespan, so even though it costs more initially, it will last longer than other stones. This is because granite is an incredibly hard stone – it’s actually only a point or two below diamond on the hardness scale. Granite can also be found in a number of different shades and colours.
Another material useful for stone flooring is marble. Marble is very elegant and beautiful, and many consider it a flooring classic since it has been used in a number of famous buildings around the world. Every piece of marble is unique. No two pieces have the exact same vein pattern. Like granite, you can find marble in several different colours and shades. Once the stone is polished up, it is incredibly beautiful. It’s also somewhat expensive.
Slate isn’t quite as elegant as marble or granite, but it is very slip resistant, which makes it great for an entryway or bathroom. It’s also a very durable stone. Because of its subtle texture, you’ll find that slate fits with most of your décor. Slate can take a lot of wear and tear, and it will last for years. It’s a good cost-effective stone for any floor. Because it’s affordable, durable, and looks good, slate is often used for commercial buildings as well as homes.
Limestone is another choice. This sedimentary stone is created from compressed seashells and bones from the ocean floor. The calcium from these items combines from the carbon dioxide to create calcium carbonate, the foundation of both limestone and marble. Because of this, limestone has some very subtle colour and vein variations that can bring a great look to any room. Limestone, while not as durable as other stones, is certainly distinct and beautiful.
Tags: flooring, home improvement, stone flooring
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