Types of Natural and Sculpted Stone Flooring
Stone is one of the oldest elements used in flooring and is a timeless and durable choice for high traffic areas. Express Flooring sells premium stone from the industry’s top brands at the lowest prices.
Stone flooring is sculpted from natural solid rock that is quartered and cut to cover your floor. The shape and size of stone flooring may vary from 4 x 2-foot rectangles to 1-inch square mosaics. Between these two measurements, you will find multiple size and shape options to best suit your needs. Additionally there are several stone patterns you can consider. A unique flooring pattern not only alters a room’s appearance, but it can also change the room’s scale.
Marble
Marble is made from metamorphic rocks that are created under heat and pressure. Valued for its classic elegance, when properly sealed, marble is ideal for areas exposed to moisture.
Its natural beauty is displayed by polishing to a high sheen. Polished marble gets very slippery when wet so it is not recommended for bathrooms or any areas that are regularly wet. If you like a little texture under your feet, honed marble is great, but the process that creates the texture unfortunately mutes the lively color and variability of polished marble.
Marble is distinguishable for its soft grain patterns and velvety colors that range from red to green, white, and black. It’s more porous than granite and therefore more vulnerable to staining. To keep it from staining, it’s recommended that owners apply a sealant every 9–12 months.
Granite
Granite is one of the hardest stone flooring materials because it’s made under extreme pressure. This igneous rock has a very dense grain that makes it nearly impermeable to staining and scratching. This is not a good choice for those who are budget conscious. Granite is ideal for use in entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Slate
Slate is a metamorphic rock that was created in layers, making it easy to split into thin sheets. These sheets are then cut to make tiles. Its color may vary from dark green to sienna and gray.
Slate tiles are categorized as cleft, brushed, or honed. Cleft slate tile is preserved in its natural texture. The rougher surface can give a good grip for sunrooms, kitchens, and patios. Brushed slate tile has soft ridges while honed slate tile is filed down to a smooth finish. The durability of the slate depends on its density. The denser the slate, the more resistant it is to chipping or flaking.
Travertine
This sedimentary rock is one of the softer varieties of stone flooring. Over time, travertine flooring will develop a soft, amiable patina. It shows in a variety of shades and tones, from light cream to dark rust
Polished travertine looks like marble while the tumbled variety gives an antique appearance because of its pits and rounded edges.
This type of stone flooring is porous and reacts instantly to acidic substances, so it will stain with liquids such as lemon juice or wine. To protect travertine flooring, owners must apply a stone sealer on a regular basis.
Limestone
Limestone is very similar to travertine, but harder and more durable over time. It features distinct grain patterns that, when cut into narrow tiles, appear like wood planks. Just like any other porous stone, limestone needs to be regularly sealed to prevent stains.
Stone flooring is sculpted from natural solid rock that is quartered and cut to cover your floor. The shape and size of stone flooring may vary from 4 x 2-foot rectangles to 1-inch square mosaics. Between these two measurements, you will find multiple size and shape options to best suit your needs. Additionally there are several stone patterns you can consider. A unique flooring pattern not only alters a room’s appearance, but it can also change the room’s scale.
Marble
Marble is made from metamorphic rocks that are created under heat and pressure. Valued for its classic elegance, when properly sealed, marble is ideal for areas exposed to moisture.
Its natural beauty is displayed by polishing to a high sheen. Polished marble gets very slippery when wet so it is not recommended for bathrooms or any areas that are regularly wet. If you like a little texture under your feet, honed marble is great, but the process that creates the texture unfortunately mutes the lively color and variability of polished marble.
Marble is distinguishable for its soft grain patterns and velvety colors that range from red to green, white, and black. It’s more porous than granite and therefore more vulnerable to staining. To keep it from staining, it’s recommended that owners apply a sealant every 9–12 months.
Granite
Granite is one of the hardest stone flooring materials because it’s made under extreme pressure. This igneous rock has a very dense grain that makes it nearly impermeable to staining and scratching. This is not a good choice for those who are budget conscious. Granite is ideal for use in entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Slate
Slate is a metamorphic rock that was created in layers, making it easy to split into thin sheets. These sheets are then cut to make tiles. Its color may vary from dark green to sienna and gray.
Slate tiles are categorized as cleft, brushed, or honed. Cleft slate tile is preserved in its natural texture. The rougher surface can give a good grip for sunrooms, kitchens, and patios. Brushed slate tile has soft ridges while honed slate tile is filed down to a smooth finish. The durability of the slate depends on its density. The denser the slate, the more resistant it is to chipping or flaking.
Travertine
This sedimentary rock is one of the softer varieties of stone flooring. Over time, travertine flooring will develop a soft, amiable patina. It shows in a variety of shades and tones, from light cream to dark rust
Polished travertine looks like marble while the tumbled variety gives an antique appearance because of its pits and rounded edges.
This type of stone flooring is porous and reacts instantly to acidic substances, so it will stain with liquids such as lemon juice or wine. To protect travertine flooring, owners must apply a stone sealer on a regular basis.
Limestone
Limestone is very similar to travertine, but harder and more durable over time. It features distinct grain patterns that, when cut into narrow tiles, appear like wood planks. Just like any other porous stone, limestone needs to be regularly sealed to prevent stains.