Stone Flooring

Stone can make an ideal floor for many interior rooms and outdoor spaces. Natural stone options include limestone, marble, travertine, slate, granite and onyx. Nearly any color can be obtained, and the variety in grain allows homeowners and builder to match the overall style of the home. Interior stone floors will generally increase home value, and exterior uses to improve landscaping and curb appeal are many.

Rooms Where Stone Flooring is Used

Decorative stone flooring can be used in entries, kitchens, bathrooms and living areas. Stone can be used to build steps leading up and down from sunken living rooms, built in bathtubs, Jacuzzis and pools, and to face matching backsplashes in kitchens, fireplaces in family areas and countertops in bathrooms. Tumbled stone can be included in stone floors to form borders and for accents in shower stalls and tub surrounds. Stone floors can be used out of doors, as well; for walkways, patio and gazebo floors, or around an in ground pool.

Advantages of Stone Flooring

Stone floors are cool in summer and retain warmth in winter better than tile or porcelain, and can be used in places where carpet or linoleum is impractical. The cost of stone can vary depending o the type used, but overall stone tile flooring is not much more expensive than solid hardwood, and in some cases may be cheaper. Varieties of stone which are porous and susceptible to staining can be sealed and maintained for a longer life.

What to Consider When Purchasing Stone Flooring

Stone can be installed over level, compacted dirt and gravel footing outdoors, or laid over concrete or a properly supported sub-floor indoors, Care should be taken to ensure second story use is limited to what the structure can bear in terms of weight; stone flooring is heavy! The experts at Ideal floor can introduce you to the wide variety of natural stone flooring options available, and work with you to develop a decorating scheme that will show your stone floor off to its best advantage.