Knowing your Stone Flooring North Vancouver
When you want to combine contemporary design with natural materials, few flooring options compare to stone flooring. One of the charms of natural materials for flooring is that every piece is unique, and this is certainly true of natural stone flooring. Add to that the durability and diversity of stone flooring and it’s not hard to understand why stone tiles are popular. While some stone flooring options are rather expensive, there are more affordable alternatives as well. At Floor Coverings International, we offer a wide range of stone flooring options to suit any budget and décor. Read on if you want to know more about the different types of stone flooring.
Marble
Marble is a classic design choice for many features in your home, but marble flooring is renowned for its elegance and opulence. While you may most likely associate marble flooring with creamy whites and streaks of black and gray, in reality there are many colours of marble including red, green, white, and black. Marble makes a great choice for many rooms in the home but it’s important to know that polished marble can be a slip hazard so it is not the best choice for kitchens or bathrooms. Alternatively, the texture of honed marble is safer for wet environments though it won’t offer the same brilliant appearance. Also, because marble is a soft stone it is prone to scratching so it should be professionally installed and sealed. Bottom line – marble is beautiful and versatile but not ideal for all environments and will require maintenance.
Travertine
Travertine is another soft stone flooring, and it’s available in a variety of colours from creamy white to deep rust. When polished it looks and behaves like marble, but it’s usually much more affordable. You can also get brushed, honed, and tumbled travertine if you want more depth and texture in the appearance of your flooring. Bottom line – travertine is usually more affordable than marble but makes a compelling design statement nonetheless.
Granite
Granite counters and granite flooring are popular because they look great, but also offer exceptional durability. Highly resistant to staining, scratching, and chipping, granite floors are among the most reliable you’ll find. There are many different colours of granite tile and with a price tag usually under $20 per square foot, you get great bang for your buck. Bottom line – granite looks great and requires little to no maintenance.
Slate
Available with rough or smooth surface, slate flooring is versatile. Consider a rough-surfaced slate tile for patios, bathrooms, kitchens, or foyers. Honed slate tiles are smooth and luxurious. One factor to consider when purchasing slate tiles is that they are manufactured with different densities. Denser varieties are more durable but also cost more. Because there are different textures to slate tiles, they are versatile flooring options. Bottom line – slate offers the dynamic characteristics of natural stone flooring in a durable and versatile package.
Limestone
Somewhat similar to travertine, limestone is a common go-to because it’s actually very durable. With eye-popping patterns in its natural grain, limestone is a dynamic design choice. Sometimes the grains in limestone mimic the appearance of natural wood. Limestone is soft and warm with earthy tones and also has a great texture. Bottom line – limestone lasts, looks great, and it’s affordable too!