Stone flooring is one of the oldest and most durable types of floors available, having been used for thousands of years. Stone flooring patterns lend a classic, timeless quality to any home, and properly installed stone flooring will last as long as your house does.

Five types of stone are typically used in home flooring:

• Granite
• Limestone
• Marble
• Sandstone
• Slate.

The type of stone tile you choose affects the finished look of the floor, as well as the total cost. Stone flooring is available in slabs, stone tile and pebble stone flooring.

Benefits of Stone Flooring

There are many benefits of this type of home flooring:

• Stone floor doesn’t retain heat and is cool to the touch, making it a great choice for home flooring in warm climates.
• Stone floor is completely natural and environmentally friendly.
• Stone floor is one of the hardest flooring types available and doesn’t scratch easily.
• Stone flooring patterns are beautiful in a way no other flooring type can match.
• Stone tiles are easy to clean.

Drawbacks of Stone Floor

Along with the many benefits of stone floor, there are also some downsides:

• Cost varies depending on what type of stone floor you choose, but across the board, stone floors are very expensive.
• Stone floor is slippery when wet, and hard enough that they break anything fragile that’s dropped on the floor.
• Stone flooring is extremely heavy and difficult to install.
• The cool touch, while an asset in warmer climates, may feel very cold under bare feet in cold climates. (If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, consider putting a radiant heating system under your stone tiles when you install them.)

Installing a Stone Floor

Stone flooring is heavy and requires precision to install correctly. Hire a professional installation team to lay down your stone floor so you don’t hurt yourself or make costly mistakes. Interview several different companies before choosing who will install your new floor, and check their experience and references. Be sure to ask if they offer a guarantee on their stone floor installation and if they will handle repairs in the future. Repairs to stone tile always require professional service.

Maintaining a Stone Floor

When it’s cared for properly, a stone floor will last as long as your home does. Keep it looking beautiful by sweeping regularly and cleaning with a damp mop. Never use abrasive cleaners on a stone floor–they can leave stains and scratch marks. Hire a professional to clean and seal your stone floor once a year, more often in high-traffic areas like hallways.