There is no shortage of materials, colors, patterns, and designs to choose from when it comes to natural stone flooring. Though, every type of stone or tile is not suitable for every space.
If you are a homeowner and want to upgrade your floors, a wide range of flooring materials are available to choose from. You can find many types of natural stone and floor tiles in the United States. There are many factors to consider while choosing the best or most suitable flooring material for you. The most prominent elements are your interior décor preferences, material and installation cost, expected use, and foot traffic. Keeping all these factors in mind, here are the top five flooring tile options for you.
1. Marble
Marble flooring has been around since ancient times because of its classic and elegant looks. Marble is known for its unique patterns and unique colors, from black to red, blue, green, and white. King of natural stone flooring, marble is comparatively an expensive flooring material. The appearance of polished marble floors undoubtedly worth the investment.
Polish marble is not suitable for the bathroom or kitchen because it’s quite slippery when wet. Honed marble is good alternatives, but it does not have the same colors and patterns as polished marble. Marble flooring requires proper sealing as it is a softer rock and is quite prone to staining and scratching. As a homeowner, you need to be prepared for its maintenance. You will get complete guidance from our experts at SK Stones to choose and maintain marble for flooring.
2. Granite
This natural stone is in use mostly for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite is also highly recommended as a flooring material in living spaces where expecting heavy foot traffic. Durability is one of the most prominent aspects of granite. Granite is more durable than marble and less porous, which makes it more difficult to staining. As long as granite stone’s sealing is appropriate, wiping of spills or stains on tiles can be very easy.
When it comes to choosing granite floor tiles, dark granite is famous and attractive but not the only choice. With darker tones of green or red, whereas creamy and pink specks and fine veinings are famous for lighter-color granite.
There are no worries about allergic reactions with granite. This natural stone isn’t porous and doesn’t retain liquids or moisture where bacteria can settle and spread.
3. Sandstone
Builders in ancient Rome used sandstone mostly for decorative interior wall applications. When they used it as a flooring material, it was usually for ceremonial spaces that did not get a lot of foot traffic. Sandstone is a delicate stone that requires even more care and maintenance than marble. As for its look, sandstone is perfect for homes featuring Southwestern and Spanish Colonial styles of architecture.
4. Limestone
The builders of the Egyptian pyramids used limestone to cover their magnificent structures. However, sealant technology would not be available until thousands of years later, which resulted in heavy damage and erosion. Limestone is very durable and very porous, which means homeowners must be prepared to frequently clean and seal their floor tiles. Some lighter variations of limestone look very similar to marble.
5. Porcelain
There are many different kinds of porcelain tiles you can choose from for your home or living space. Porcelain tile is highly resistant to wear and very durable on floors. It has fewer air pockets that make it denser material than most other tile varieties. Porcelain can be your first choice if you want flooring that bears high for traffic and holds pets well for years. Your porcelain tile floors are less prone to breaking and are designed to hold up really well. This material is less expensive than many other flooring stones.
If you’d like to learn more about how to clean granite and natural-stone floors, reach out to SK Stones today. All of our stone care products are safe to use on granite, marble, limestone, and all other types of natural stone. Give us a call today at (561) 653-1388 to speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives.
Read More: Porcelain Countertops and Backsplash: A Perfect Combination