Natural stone has been ruling the floors for centuries. Tiles made of stones bring different colors, patterns and textures of nature into our homes and adds a quality and tenderness to any room which is impossible for any other material.
Let’s see what options we have … The most popular stone tiles are Slate, Marble Travertine, Granite, Limestone and Sandstone.
Slate – these are formed when coastal soil, clay and other minerals are compressed and heated over millions of years.
These are metamorphic in nature and splits into thin sheets. The density of slate is directly proportional to its price. The denser it is the more it is durable and pricey.
Slates tend to be dark over time and are highly solid. The ideal places to install these beauties are living rooms, hallways, doorways and kitchens. These are natural slip resistant.
Marble – These are formed in underground water streams. When calcite and dolomite along with other materials flows together in these streams for long periods of time becomes marble.
These are also natural stones. Marbles tend to stain and scratch still it has an appeal and gives a splendid look to your home.
They are harder and more resilient but not as much as slates. You can get more out of marbles when you have them sealed.
These are ideal for living rooms, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms.
Travertine – This too form in the streams of underground water and is a sedimentary rock composed of calcite and other materials. It’s softer than limestone. It’s a hard process to bring shine to marble.
Travertine is fragile material and needs some attention. It tends to get scratches and stains.
Being a porous material travertine should be sealed properly to keep the spills and splashes soaking into them.
Travertine is ideal for hallways, doorways, living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms.
Granite – The king of all stones is back!!! This is the hardest natural stone with glossy look and water resistant than any other natural stone. Use this stone cautiously as its glossiness and hardness makes it a dual-edged sword.
It’s available in palette of colors and can be outdoors or indoors.
It’s recommended for living areas, hallways and kitchens.
Limestone – this is another family member of marble and travertine. But the way it formed is different. It’s hardened over the time and the tectonic action. It is hard and its striations make it look like wood.
Limestone is available in variety of patterns and colors.
It absorbs water so it must be sealed with a proper sealant.
Sealing any natural stone not only protects it from water but also from spills and stains.
This can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and living rooms.
Sandstone – is another sedimentary rock. In this the grains of sand are bonded under extreme heat and pressure to form a solid, striated and decorative natural stone.
Sandstone is available in wide range of earthy colors. It’s very hard and durable.
Need to be sealed properly. Acidic materials can damage sandstone so keep a watch over the spills and splashes.
Sandstone is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms and pavements.
These are the six most desirable natural stones for flooring. Choose them according to your climatic conditions. For all types of Natural Stones and tiles and home renovation projects you can call Interior Designs Studio’s team.