Stone Flooring

Interior stone floors are common in warm and hot climates due to the ease of maintenance. In cooler climates, new technology is now making stone floors a viable alternative. Read on to find out what kind of stones are suitable for your floor -- both inside and outside.

Types of Stone used for Flooring

Some popular stone flooring options are:

• Sandstone - is extremely durable so a good choice for flooring in medium traffic areas. For indoor use, any finish matt, glossy or satin can be used. Sandstone tiles usually need resealing after every 4-5 years.
• Limestone - the quality of the stone varies. Soft varieties can be used in areas of low traffic. Harder stones may be used in areas of high traffic.
• Slate - Hard varieties of slate are used in outdoor flooring and in areas of medium traffic.
• Marble - usually this is a hard stone. So it can be used in hallways, that is areas of high traffic. It is also suitable for bathroom floors.
• Granite - The hardest stone available, granite can be used in high traffic zones and in kitchens. Polished granite exudes a feeling of opulence and grandeur in a space.
• Terra-cotta - is a man-made stone that has properties similar to natural stone. The process of its creation involves compacting clay and then firing it. This process imbues terra-cotta tiles with properties similar to natural stone. The tiles have color variations that may be used to add to the esthetic appeal of the floor. The surface can be smooth or rough. Patterns and textures can also be created on the surface of the tiles.
• Terrazzo - another man-made stone that is frequently used in floors in high and medium traffic zones.

Installing a Stone Floor

Usually installing a stone floor is quite complicated and requires skilled workers. However, if you are confident about doing it on your own, here are some links to installing a stone floor.