Natural Stone Tile

Stone Tile Flooring

Natural stone flooring comes in a variety of materials, thickness, colors and textures. Based on which type of stone tile you choose, there will be variances in the levels of traction and absorption, which affects the performance of the tile. Stone flooring is a natural material and includes Limestone, Slate, Granite, Marble, Sandstone and Travertine.

If you are considering purchasing stone tile for your home, it is important to understand the properties of the tile. This will aid you in making a purchase properly for your home so that you can get the best performance out of your floor and understand how to care for your floors.

The more absorbent stones will be prone to cracking, staining and damage. Thus, these types of stone tiles would not be appropriate for a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, which are all naturally moist environments. Sandstone is an example of a naturally porous tile with a high absorption rate. This type of stone flooring would be referred to as non-vitreous because of its high absorption level.

Semi-vitreous stone tiles have a mid-level of absorption, so while they are okay to use for a mildly damp environment, you will still want to avoid cleaning them using a lot of liquid or exposing them to liquids in general. The exposure over time will increase the level of maintenance on caring for your floors. For high-traffic areas and areas that are naturally damp and exposed to water, pets, children and other elements, you’ll want to purchase impervious stone tiles. These types of stone tiles naturally resist moisture, have a high level of traction and are easy to maintain. 

Stone tiles are a beautiful accent to any home and when purchased and maintained properly, will bring vibrancy to your environment for many years to come.