Natural stone flooring is tile cut directly from stone blocks formed naturally or engineered stones which are manufactured by combining various substances like as porcelain or ceramic and other chemicals. The most common types of natural stone flooring are marble, travertine, limestone, granite, quartzite, slate, and sandstone.
Using natural or engineered stones as flooring have pros and cons so you have to consider the budget and usage as well as the design you are willing to have in your house or office.
Advantages of Natural Stone Floors:
Natural stone has beauty, durability, and touch of luxury value to your home. It is a material that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Durability
Natural stone is solid. It can last for decades with the right care and maintenance. Many old houses with natural stone floors are still standing to this day.
Heat Retention
Stone floors can be installed over radiant heat because it has good heat retention. This means you can install these stones on heated floors.
Beauty
One of its advantages is timeless elegance. Homes and buildings with natural stones used for walls and flooring usually are less exposed to become outdated.
Disadvantages of Natural Stone Floors:
Natural stone flooring has drawbacks too. When considering this type of material as flooring, you must know the cons too.
Expensive
Natural stones come at a high cost. Not all homeowners have it in their budget to splurge on a marble bathroom or granite kitchen floor.
Prone to Damage & Wear
There are types of natural stone that are more resistant to damage, but in general, natural stone can stain, scratch, etch, chip, or crack. Remember that When maintenance falls short, natural stones will not last long.
The procedure of installation
Comparing to other options for flooring natural stones are more time consuming to install. Once the stones have been laid out, they also may need finishing and Periodic refinishing.