If you’re considering a remodel, whether large or small, you may want to take a close look at natural stone flooring.
Natural stone flooring can add lasting beauty to your space, be it bath, kitchen or living areas. Stone flooring is strong and durable. After all, some of the oldest buildings still in existence were made of stone – can you see how well it lasts?
Natural Stone Flooring Is Available in Many Styles and Textures
It used to be that only the wealthy could afford to have stone in their homes. Stone was difficult to mine, and so required many man hours to pull the stone pieces from the earth.
After it was mined, there was the extensive and labor-intensive shaping process where the stone was cut into tiles or tumbled to smooth rough edges.
Today mining practices for stone are much more efficient, allowing production costs to be reduced and placing natural stone flooring within the grasp of almost anyone.
What Sizes Are Available in Natural Stone Flooring?
Natural stone flooring is available today in many styles and textures. You can find flat tiles in sizes like 12 x 12 inches, 13 x 13, 16 x 16 and as large as 18 x 18 inches.
If you’re looking for something more varied and unique, you might consider pebble tiles. This is a new product made recently available.
The pebbles are small, hand-selected stones that are glued to a wire mesh. The wire mesh makes it very simple to place the piece on the floor or wall with thinset, so even the do-it-yourselfer will find this attractive. Once the thinset cures, about 24 hours, then you simply grout the little pebbles like traditional square tiles.
The result is a modern, crisp feel that will be sure to wow your friends and neighbors!
What Types of Stones Are There?
Natural stone flooring tile is available in granite, limestone, travertine, slate and marble.
The more commonly known large square tiles are always popular.
In addition, you can choose natural mosaic or glazed mosaic tiles which are small flat stones with crisp edges, moon mosaic tiles which are small, completely round stones, “sliced” pebbles which are small oblong stones, or natural, glazed or polished pebble tiles which are simply little stones in various colors.
Natural pebble stones look just like the stones you might see at the bottom of a running stream.
If you opt for these type of tiles, the pebbles are hand-selected and applied to mesh backing so that the stones “fit” like puzzle pieces. This makes installation a breeze!
Whether you like a small or large tile look, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for.
What Are the Advantages to Natural Stone Flooring?
Actually, there are several advantages.
The first is quite simply that your home will look elegant and up-to-date with natural stone flooring.
Another advantage is that stone is highly durable. Stone does not absorb spills, and clean up and maintenance are easy.
Natural stone flooring can increase the resale value of your home. After all, stone flooring has been the epitome of “opulence” for centuries!
Stone tile is also slip-resistant, naturally, so safety is improved in your home. There is no sealant or conditioner required to maintain your natural stone flooring, and stone is naturally resistant to stains.
Stone is versatile, and flooring is just one application. If you’d like to modernize a room, simply tile one (or more) walls. Try a stone tile wainscot. Add a stone tile border. Accent a specific area, like perhaps a counter top or backsplash with tile.
Let your imagination run wild, because stone tile can make your ideas shine.
Where Can You Find Natural Stone Tile?
Actually, many retailers offer stone tile. Your local home improvement stores will carry a few lines of stone tile, but to find the greatest variety you’ll want to look online.
Many stone masons and stone specialty retailers will provide a large selection of their products online so you can decide which look and color you prefer as well as get a good idea as to what it will cost.
Bear in mind that if you do buy from an online retailer, shipping costs can be a major factor in determining your budget. For example, one sheet of the wire mesh natural stone pebbles can weigh as much as 5 pounds.
Ask the retailer if they offer shipping discounts. Some retailers will ship free if you place an order of a certain size.
Whatever your choice, you’ll find that natural stone flooring is a great way to improve your home’s look!