Natural stone flooring is tile cut from stone blocks formed over millions of years on earth along with artificial tile which is manufactured by combining various substances and chemicals such as porcelain or ceramic tile. The most common types of natural stone flooring are marble, travertine, limestone, granite, quartzite, slate, and sandstone. Natural stone flooring is known for its classic beauty, durability, and lasting value. Stone tile flooring is good for kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, hallways, living areas, and paved outdoor areas.
Types of Natural Stone Flooring and where they can be used: -
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Marble –
Marble flooring gives a classic and luxurious look to your home. It has a smooth texture, and high gloss finish. It comes in a wide variety of colours. Marbles belong to the full range category from large format to small mosaic tile. Marbles are available in all shapes, square, rectangle, round, triangular, hexagonal, to name a few. Marble floors look good, and they can also be cleaned and maintained easily. You can choose them in black, white, and even multicoloured designs. It gets etched frequently when acidic household products like vinegar and orange juice meet the stone surface. Clean the etching and scratches on the surface with etching remover or marble polishing powder.
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Granite –
Granite stone is superior to all other stones when it comes to durability. It is suited best for kitchens. Granite tiles won’t scratch, etch or scorch even stains don’t occur easily if they are properly sealed. You don’t need to sweep and mop daily. It is available in uncountable colours and patterns. It gives a luxurious and elegant appearance to your room. Granite floors are common, these stones are also good for kitchens, and in many bathroom floors also, you get the best granite design options available.
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Travertine –
Travertine tile is manufactured for bathrooms, shower stalls, hallways, living areas, and laundry rooms. Hot spring water that bubbles through limestone forms travertine. Travertine requires a lot of maintenance when it is used as a kitchen floor than granite. It is resistant to slippery and is a bit cooler on scorching days than the other surfaces. It is also used as a driveway paving material because of its durability.
Quartzite-
It requires low maintenance and is harder than granite. It is popular for its crystalline shine, high heat, chemical, and scratch resistance. Quartzite is well exposed to the outdoor environment as well. It is suitable for all areas in your home including the kitchen, countertops, vanities, and fireplace surroundings.
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Slate –
Slate consists of fine grain and has a unique cleft texture. It comes in various colours such as green, red, purple, black and brown and multiple combinations of these colours. The stone’s colour can be determined by the type and amount of iron and other organic material it has. Some of the slates are hard and are resistant to chemical damage, scratches, and chips. Slate is a stone that keeps your room cool, and you can enjoy better insulation with the right kind of slate stone. Quartzite can be used in all home areas. It can be for both indoor and outdoor floors including kitchen, countertops, vanities, and fireplace surroundings.
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Sandstone –
Sandstone is a warm and earthy stone. It has a sand ridged texture in rich red, tan, and brown colours. It has minimal and is often a solid colour. It is not durable as Granite but durable enough to last long. It is composed of cemented silicates, quartz, feldspar, clays, and silt. Sandstone has a unique porosity of its own, and it does not retain moisture and become brittle.
