What Are The Different Types Of Natural Stone Flooring?

Natural stones and Floor grinding are beautiful, versatile, durable and eco-friendly materials that add value to homes and businesses. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be installed indoors or outdoors. Natural stone floors are also known as manmade stone, quarried stone, quarry stone, etc.

There are several types of natural stone floorings that include granite, marble, travertine, slate tile, limestone, soapstone, serpentine, etc. Each type has its unique characteristics and benefits. Choosing the right material depends on your budget, lifestyle, and preferences.

Some things to consider before choosing natural stone flooring

Price: It all begins with cost. The price is the most important factor when selecting which flooring to install. Remember that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the perfect look for your home. 

If money is not an issue, then go ahead and buy the best quality stone you can afford. You can always save more by buying a secondhand product but it won’t give you the same results as purchasing new ones.

Durability: The durability is determined by how often the product will need cleaning. For example, if your living space isn’t a very high-traffic area, then you may want to choose a cheaper option like ceramic tiles. But if you live in an apartment where there is constant foot traffic, then you should definitely opt for a harder natural stone floor.

Design: Your flooring selection should depend on the design style of your house or office. For example, if you’re planning to install a kitchen countertop, then you must keep this in mind because the colour, pattern, and texture of the countertops affect the final result. So make sure you pick something that goes well with the overall theme.

Preparation: Before installation starts, take into consideration the fact that the surface needs to be cleaned properly so that it doesn’t interfere with other activities such as cooking or eating. Otherwise, the stain will remain permanently on the surface. Therefore, it is necessary to use a proper cleaner and follow the instructions carefully.

Maintenance: Maintenance is another key factor to remember. Cleaning is essential to keep your natural stone floor looking clean and fresh. Even though it’s considered a low-maintenance floor, you still need to maintain them regularly. 

Don’t forget about dust control too. Dust particles could accumulate under the surface and become a real problem over time.

Installation: Choose a professional installer who knows what he/she is doing. There are many choices when hiring a service provider. Therefore, make sure they do their job correctly the first time.

Benefits: All natural stone floors offer great benefits compared to traditional floors such as wood, cement, vinyl, laminate, and parquet.

Below are the top 10 benefits of installing one

1. Durable Surface: Unlike other flooring materials, natural stone tiles provide a durable surface that is resistant to scratches and stains. In addition, it is also easier to clean than any other material.
2. Easy To Maintain: Unlike another flooring, cleaning natural stone floors is extremely easy. Just wipe away spills immediately using water and mild detergent. Use a sponge or mop to remove dirt from the surface.
3. Versatile: Natural stone comes in various colours, textures, and finishes that allow you to create a variety of looks in your living spaces. This makes it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, hallways, bedrooms, and dining rooms.
4. Heat Resistant: As mentioned earlier, natural stone is heat-resistant. With that being said, consider installing a hardwood floor if you plan on having hot appliances such as stoves and ovens on your floor. That way, you won’t worry about damage.
5. Budget Friendly: When choosing your budget, think of installing a good quality natural stone instead of going cheap and spending thousands of dollars on a mediocre product. Since natural stone is much cheaper than other materials, it gives you the freedom to decide what kind of look you would prefer.
6. Energy Saving: Did you know that natural stone floors help conserve energy by reducing the amount of cooling required by your home? It helps increase comfort levels in your living areas.
7. Great Soundproofing: If you have kids or pets at home, you might want to choose a floor that can reduce sound transmission. The best type of natural stone for this purpose is travertine. Travertine has an excellent acoustic absorption rate due to its porous structure.
8. Environmentally Friendly: A natural stone floor is not only beautiful but also sustainable. It uses fewer resources during production and can be reused after demolition. Therefore, it contributes to preserving our environment.
9. Healthier Living: Installing a natural stone floor creates a healthier indoor air quality. Because it absorbs harmful pollutants such as dust extracting and airborne particles, it reduces allergies in those who live there.
10. Long Lasting: Depending on the type of stone used, the average lifespan of a natural stone floor ranges between 30 to 50 years. However, some types of stone may last up to 100 years. So, just like all your other investments, select a durable material that will last.

Different Types of Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone is an incredibly diverse material with a wide range of styles, designs, colours, patterns, and sizes. There are three main categories of natural stone used in flooring. They include quarry, imitation, and cultured. Here is more information on each type of natural stone.

Quarry Natural Stone

The first and most common form of natural stone is a quarry. Quarry natural stone is mined directly out of the earth and cut into slabs, which are then polished and finished. Most commonly, quarry stones are granite, limestone, marble, or slate.

Limestone

Those Limestone are often called the mother rock because it forms part of almost all rocks. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate (calcium + carbon + oxygen calcium carbonate), magnesium carbonate (magnesium + carbon + oxygen magnesium carbonate) and silica (silicon + oxygen silicon dioxide). Limestones are found throughout North America.

Marbles

Marbles come from large masses of limestone or dolomite created over millions of years. The word “marble” literally means “pebbled stone,” and marbles come in many different shapes and sizes. Most people associate marbles with white or clear stones, although they can come in any colour. Some popular varieties of marble flooring include white, black, red, green, blue, yellow, brown, grey, purple, pink, orange, and multi-coloured.

Gneiss

Gneiss is a metamorphic rock formed when igneous rocks cool quickly. It occurs in thin sheets and is widely used in architecture because of its durability. Common gneis are quartzite, schist, biotite, and amphibolites.

Slate

Slate is one of the hardest minerals known to man. Its hardness makes it a very versatile material for use in construction projects including countertops, wall cladding, and flooring. In fact, slab tiles made from slate are often referred to as “tiles.” 

Slate comes in several colours and textures, but it typically appears light grey. While slate is considered a natural stone, quarries are actually created using artificial processes.

Cultured Natural Stone

Cultured natural stone includes engineered stones and manmade materials. Engineered stones are manufactured by adding chemicals to raw materials to create a specific look or property. These engineered stones are usually available in various shades and sizes and include concrete floors, flagstones, pavers, and mosaics. Manmade materials include plastic, metals, glass, ceramics, fibreglass, and resin.

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are typically square-shaped and feature random pieces of stone or glass embedded together. Mosaics are often found in public spaces because of their unique appearance and design. Typically, mosaic tiles have smaller pieces of stone or glass than larger stones, making them easier to install.

Flagstones

Flagstones are flat stones that are not necessarily rectangular. They can be either smooth or textured depending on the process of manufacture. Because flagstones are flat and relatively light, they work well indoors and outdoors. Flagstones are also easy to repair and maintain.

Concrete Floors

Concrete floors may be poured into a mould, sculpted, or stamped to create decorative color and patterns or shapes. They are typically extremely durable and resistant to stains and scratches. Because concrete surfaces are heavy, it works best for indoor applications. It requires less maintenance than other hard surface options like ceramic tile or wood, and it can last a lifetime if properly sealed.

Travertine Tile

Travertine tiles are porous limestones primarily found in Italy. They are often used in kitchens, baths, and outdoor areas where water damage is a concern. Travertines are beautiful stones that grow cracks due to their high porosity levels. When exposed to air and sunlight, travertine will naturally heal these cracks, creating a stunningly beautiful pattern.

Limestone Sandstone

This sedimentary rock is composed of compact layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The layers themselves consist of tiny grains called feldspars which give the stone its distinctive texture. Also, limestone sands were once common, forming vast deposits across North America. Today, however, most are quarried for use as building materials or landscaping features.

Cement Floors

Cement floors are highly durable and often require little maintenance. They come in many styles such as traditional cement floors, tumbled cement floors, and polished cement floors. They’re also excellent at repelling spills and stains. Cement floors are ideal for any space where you need an all-weather option.

Tile

Ceramic tile is a nonporous stone product consisting of clay combined with small particles of material called glazes. Glazed tiles are more durable than unglazed tiles, but they do show wear over time. There are many varieties of tiles, including both standard and custom tiles. Standard tiles are generally low cost, while custom tiles are often higher priced and offer greater customization.