If you’re looking to renovate any room in your home, you might be looking at some stone flooring or Window Blinds options. These are especially common when it comes to renovating kitchens. Stone floors might seem intimidating at first glance, but they are more than manageable. Here are some pros and cons when it comes to installing a stone floor.
1. Marble
Marble is a type of stone created by limestone when it crystallizes from high temperatures and pressures underground. Due to the crystallization, it becomes extremely dense and hard, which makes it ideal for a floor that has to survive lots of wear and tear. It gives off a regal atmosphere and any room you use it in will appear much larger.
Much like any stone, it requires a layer of protective sealant before it can be used. While it is pretty tough, marble isn’t stain-resistant, which is why you have to clean any spills as soon as possible. Spills of acidic substances are especially harmful because they can damage the stone itself.
2. Granite
Granite is one of the hardest known stones, which makes it an ideal material for any kind of kitchen floor. It’s made from magma that cools slowly underground. During the lengthy process of cooling, it builds a lot of hardness and strength. It comes with a beautiful color that will complement any setting. Granite floors are also pretty good if you want to increase the value of your home.
Due to the unforgiving nature of how hard and heavy it is, you might need to replace the whole subfloor of the room if you want to install granite there. Without proper support for the heavy granite, you won’t end up having a floor for long.
3. Travertine
Travertine is often compared to marble and limestone because of the similarity of how it’s created. It’s made of sedimentary rock deep within the mantle of the Earth, which solidifies with lots of heat and pressure. It’s been used in construction for centuries, its most famous use is in the Colosseum in Rome. With travertine, you’re going to need some special care.
Travertine is a naturally porous type of stone, which means you might have to get it sealed professionally by a company like Stone & Tile Projects. It soaks up liquids like a sponge, which means you will want to watch out for any spills or else it will stain. It’s not as hard as marble or granite, which is why you might see a crack or two on occasion. It might be susceptible to wear and tear, but it can be repaired.
4. Slate
Slate is a very peculiar choice when it comes to stone flooring. It offers a slightly dull and uneven surface that doesn’t look like anything special. Visually it offers very little, but what it lacks in visuals it makes up in practical use. Slate is fantastic if you don’t like slipping on floors. It’s naturally slip-resistant and it’s possible to add colors and patterns to it.
Slate is formed in several layers which are all uneven. Setting up a slate floor might mean a couple of layers could flake or peel on occasion. The dullness can be fixed with some nice color patterns.
Conclusion
Picking out the right kind of floor isn’t an easy decision. There are just too many options to choose from. This is especially true if you want a stone floor. Just about every kind of stone will do the job right, but you have to pick out the right one for you. You just need to find the right balance between your wallet and your ideal room.