Traditionally stone floors have always been in vogue both for their durability and aesthetics. Even today there are people who prefer to go with this timeless beauty. They consciously make this choice despite other flooring options like vinyl, hardwood, glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles, concrete much easier to install and maintain. The liking for the elegantly beautiful stone floor is an acquired taste on which is difficult to let go of.
Different types of flooring stones
There are many different types of stones which are used for flooring of rooms, kitchens, stairs etc. Some of the common ones are :
- Granite which is famous for being slip and fall resistent,
- Limestone preferred for its naturally earthen looks and the fact that tiles when cut from the same slab show little or no colour variation,
- Marble, a choice made popular by its anti-staining and anti scratch properties,
- Slate which offers a classically rustic choice in the colours of medium green, soft red and dark grey and
- Travertine which is well-known for its marble like looks.
Stone tiles are generally made by slicing slabs of boulders and rocks into tiles which are very thin and shaped either like a square or a rectangle. The veins, fossils and other natural imperfections of the stone makes it appearance vary creating a unique natural design when installed. Stone flooring also comes in a wide variety of colours depending on the stone used and the location of its quarry.
Advantages of stone flooring
There are many advantages associated with stone floors because of:
- Being durable: The ancient still standing statues and monuments are proof of the durability of stone. Stone, being an extremely hard and strong material, neither requires refinishing nor replacing and can thus said to be almost maintenance free. Thus in spite of the cost involved in its purchase and installation, it proves to be a valuable buy in the long run.
- Having a natural coolness: Stone flooring have a natural ability to keep a room cool. This is of great advantage especially in the summer months wherein air conditioners become a necessity for cooling the rooms. The natural coolness of the stone floor does away with this need thereby saving a lot of money by way of electricity bills. During winters, they tend to make the room very cold. But with the modern applications of heating under the floor, this problem can however be sorted out very easily.
- Being eco-friendly: Stone is a natural conductor of heat and it is this quality which can be utilised in the transference of heat from the under floor heating systems to the room itself. This will enable a saving both in terms of electricity consumption and money payable for the same. Stone floors are famous for keeping allergens away and thus make for a great natural abode for people who suffer from allergies.
- Ease of maintenance: It is a known fact that no two stone tiles can ever be identical. This is a unique quality found only in stone. This makes them ideal for rough use since scratches and stains, if any ever happen, tend to become identical with the veins, grains and texture of the stone. Thus regular cleaning by way of dusting and damp mopping and a weekly round of vacuuming is enough to keep it in good shape for years to come.
Using stone floor tiles tends to add value to houses and homes where they are used as they are perceived to be of great value. This is also because a stone flooring tends to create a seamlessness of flow when going from the outdoors to the indoors. Thus the two seem connected and this thought if exploited properly makes for a great house, both in looks and practicality.
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