Stone floors can be sophisticated and modern or ancient and traditional

Whatever look you choose, stone flooring always improves with use and age

The disadvantages of using stone are its coldness, hardness, it is slick when wet, and it is also costly. Even with these disadvantages, stone flooring is extremely popular with homeowners of today because nothing can compare with the beauty of natural stone.

Another reason for using stone for flooring is the recent improvement of stone is its aesthetics. Up until a few years ago when anyone mentioned stone flooring the first picture that came to mind was dull gray flagstones used in patios and entryways. Today we have granite, marble, travertine, limestone, sandstone and slate. The array of colors available is mind boggling.

Stone Border 1	Stone Border 2	Stone Border 3

Along with a wide range of colors, patterns are also available. Stone medallions are available in a wide range of color and pattern. Along with stone flooring medallions, matching borders are also available.

Stone Medallion 1	Stone Medallion 2	Stone Medallion 3

Listed below are the qualities of various stone materials:

• Travertine Tile

  Travertine has varying degrees of color and range from a soft white to a deep mahogany. Travertine tile displays veins in some cuts which only serves to enhance the uniqueness of the tile. This is a very sturdy natural stone choice and most travertine tile used as stone flooring is white, tan or cream colored but is available in various colors.

  Travertine tile is a fairly dense, porous rock that consists largely of calcite.

• Granite Tile

  Granite is a remarkable natural stone that comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. It is a hard, durable stone which requires very little maintenance and can be used for a number of your home improvement projects.

  Granite tile flooring is an ideal product for high-traffic areas such as your bathroom and kitchen because it will maintain its original appearance for years and the granite tile is stain and scratch resistant.

• Slate Tile

  Slate is a fine grained, crystalline rock derived from sediments of clay and fine silt. Intense heat and pressure changes the original clay into new minerals such as mica, chlorite, and quartz. These natural processes transform the clay into slate. Slates vary in composition, structure, and durability because the alteration of the minerals is inconsistent. The natural process of slate formation has given it certain properties that make it an excellent choice as a flooring product.

  Slate tile flooring offers the combination of durability and subtle textures that will enrich almost any room in your house. It is stain-resistant and when compared with other types of flooring, it will stand up to almost any kind of abuse. There is little to no maintenance required to care for your slate tile flooring and installation is not much different than any other type of tile.

• Marble Tile

  Marble flooring tiles are available in a wide range of colors, ranging from black and gray through beige and green to white. Marble Flooring is usually made from square marble flooring tiles. These vary in size from 12" to 24" square. Mesh-backed marble patterns are also available, for areas or borders. These comprise small pieces of marble, cut carefully to size and shape, which are arranged in patterns and mounted on a mesh backing.

Uses of Stone in Decorating Styles

When you install your flooring you will want to incorporate it into your overall decorating design scheme. Stone flooring is similar to hardwood floors in that it is a natural product and as such it's decorative features of color and pattern are natural and not manufactured.

• Limestone

  Limestone with it's taupe, gray and amber tones is a favorite in farmhouse kitchens. It is suited to rustic, Arts and Crafts (Mission), or Modern house styles.

• Polished Marble

  Polished Marble in colors ranging all the way from black to white is the tall time favorite in formal entryways and high style traditional rooms. It also fits well in todays high style baths and spas.

• Slate

  Slate is extremely dense and does not burn or stain. This is traditionally used in hearths. Today it is becoming popular for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Travertine

  High tech travertine stone creates original and fascinating surroundings, which is functional, durable, and aesthetically striking all at the same time This is one of the most frequently used stones in modern architecture and home design.

Stone is a cold material. If you are considering using stone for flooring, think about installing underfloor heating. Modern stone floors are easily installed over radiant electric heat or hot water heating systems. Once The floor is warm, the stone's mass holds the heat for a long time.

Stone is one of the more expensive flooring options. However, the cost of the stone floor is quite reasonable when the cost is amortized over the life of the floor.

Due to the longevity of stone take time to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of this floor covering. If you decide to make this purchase, consult a flooring expert to get information on all your options. Research this on the Internet to see all the many available patterns and colors when choosing your flooring.

You'll be living with this choice for a looo-ng time. Be sure the decisions you make are what you're sure you'll be happy to look at and live with every day.

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