Whether you’re thinking of having new flooring in your kitchen, bathroom or another part of the house, it’s important to consider natural stone as one of the options available to you. Natural stone isn’t for everyone, but if you do like the idea of this kind of flooring, you’ll then have to choose the ideal kind of stone for your home. First let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of natural stone tiles, and then which kind might be perfect for you.

The pros and cons of stone flooring

Here are some of the pros and cons of stone flooring, to see whether this is something that would be a good choice for your home, or if it’s best for you to look at alternative options.

Pros

·        Appearance – natural stone makes for truly stunning flooring and you can achieve jaw-dropping beauty without having to opt for expensive options

·        Add value to your home – this is one of the most elegant design features and is one of the most enduringly popular materials, this means that adding natural stone can increase the value of your property

·        Versatile – with many different options available, you can choose the perfect natural stone to suit your property. Read on below for details of the most popular kinds of stone you can work with

Cons

·        Sealing – unfortunately natural stone is porous so it needs to be sealed to stop water and other liquids from seeping in and potentially staining, marking or even warping the surface

·        Temperature – in the colder weather the stone can get very cold which can be unpleasant on bare feet

·        Not uniform – part of the joy of natural stone is that every single piece is unique, however, this means you cannot guarantee uniformity

Which type of natural stone is best for you?

Here are some of the most popular choices for natural stone flooring. Let’s take a look at which kind might suit your property.

Marble

Marble is perhaps the most famous natural stone – renowned for its luxury, elegance and sophistication. Thanks to its crystalline structure marble can be polished to a high gloss, however it is also available brushed and tumbled, meaning you can achieve a great variety of styles with this beautiful stone. Marble is one of the most expensive natural stones and not one of the most durable, so this could factor into your decision to buy.

Limestone

It’s no surprise that limestone is one of the most popular forms of natural stone – it’s simply so versatile. Available in colours ranging from vibrant blues and yellows to calm browns and off-whites, you can also select limestone in a wide variety of finishes. As a highly porous stone, sealing it properly is essential. It works in both traditional and modern properties, and is cost-effective for the level of quality, so limestone really is a good all-rounder.

Travertine

A type of limestone where additional heat and pressure has been naturally applied. It comes in a range of warm neutral tones including beiges, greys and browns. This provides you with a relaxed elegance that is never ostentatious. Highly durable and beautiful, travertine can be used in a huge variety of situations and rooms. As with many types of natural stone, travertine can prone to straining if it has not been sealed properly.

Slate

Durable, beautiful and versatile, it’s no surprise that slate is one of the most popular types of natural stone used in the UK. While you might think of slate only in the famous charcoal grey that it gives its name to, you can actually buy this stone in a surprising variety of colours meaning it can fit in with the aesthetic of almost any home. Choose slate if you’re looking for rustic stone flooring that’s both hard wearing and visually striking.

Onyx

Onyx is one of the high end stone flooring options and comes in a range of truly stunning colours and styles. It’s also one of the most expensive options and has traditionally been more popular in the US. Onyx is only really a stone that you can consider if you are working with designers and craftsmen who really understand the material but it can make a truly spectacular additional to our home with its veined and translucent qualities.

Belgian Bluestone

Belgian Bluestone is popular for its unusual grey and midnight blue colour palette that brings class and refinement to any home. This type of stone is liable to being scratched, however, so it may not be best suited to rooms where there is lots of furniture that is moved around. It is also one of the more expensive stones.

Sandstone

Sandstone has a striking wavy appearance that lends sophistication to kitchens and bathrooms. It requires regular sealing, however, which might mean this is too high maintenance for some homeowners.