If you're looking for flooring that is strong and durable without compromising its natural beauty, a stone floor is the perfect option.
Stone floors are often seen in commercial businesses because of their resilience and attractiveness, but they also make an excellent choice in homes.
Stone has gained in recent popularity because it is Eco-friendly and comes from natural products mined from Earth.
And since the stone comes from our planet, no two floors look the same.
Enjoy a blend of colors, grooves and imperfections that each stone captures for flooring that is also a work of art.
Stone floors offer a classy look and are fairly easy to maintain, as regular vacuuming and sweeping does the trick.
They don't harbor molds and dust mites, making them practical choices for those with allergies or asthma.
And, they are stain resistant and allow plenty of time to clean up spills from kids and pets.
Stone is a popular choice in warm climates as well, because it keeps the floor cool.
When sealed properly, this type of floor can last a lifetime.
Choosing Stone Flooring One of the biggest drawbacks to stone is that it is expensive.
The cost of the material alone exceeds the budgets of many homeowners, which is why people migrate away from it.
Yet there are wonderful ways to enjoy the look of stone in your home without it costing an arm and a leg.
Most people are unaware that stone can be purchased in a variety of ways; many of them affordable and capturing its true beauty.
One of the easiest way to save money is buying stone flooring wholesale but there are other ways to cut costs as well.
The most obvious way to purchase stone flooring is with natural stone, which is also most expensive.
Yet there are a variety of materials used, including limestone, marble, slate, travertine, flagstone, granite and sandstone.
These materials vary according to their color, texture, appearance and cost.
Also keep in mind the size of the stone, as some homes and structures can't handle the weight of a heavy stone floor.
Also consider the durability of the stone, as granite is strong and scratch-resistant, while slate can crack and chip if it's not sealed properly.
Sandstone is textured and available in a range of colors, while marble incorporates several hues and has a veined surface.
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it's important to choose the one that will best serve your home and foot traffic.
Affordable Flooring Options Faux stone flooring is another option that is made from vinyl or laminate.
These choices are ideal when you're under a strict budget, and with improved technology, they look similar to the real thing.
They're also not as heavy, making them more versatile for any room in the home.
Even better is that these types of floors are less maintenance since they don't need to be sealed on a regular basis.
Vinyl can be purchased in tiles or sheets and is durable and scratch resistant.
Laminates feature photographs of real stone, so you can enjoy the authentic look of stone varieties.
Laminates are also strong and resistant to scratches and wear, although extra caution should be taken in wet areas, such as kitchens and baths.
There are many advantages of faux stone floors, but many people feel that if you want the real thing, these floors simply won't capture true stone.
These same people argue that it's not the look that faux floors lack in, but the texture.
Even though this is true, you may ultimately find that a cold, stone texture isn't ideal for your home in the first place.
Vinyl and laminates are warmer and available in a variety of colors, so it's simple to achieve an inviting feel in any room of the home.
An affordable alternative to vinyl and laminate is a stone tile floor.
Stone tiles are real pieces of stone cut into tiles.
They are the happy medium between stone floors and faux stone floors, since they are made of real materials but don't capture the natural, irregular shapes and sizes of stone.
These tiles are easier to work with, however, and make for simple installation and easier grouting.
Best of all, you can still enjoy the authentic look of stone and incorporate a variety of hues.
Flooring Design Options With stone floors, there are no limits as to where they can be installed in the home.
They are elegant and attractive, each telling their own story.
With improved advancements in the floor industry, it's possible to install stone floors on a budget, as well as reap the benefits of stone without all the tiresome maintenance and resealing.