Besides the applications areas, stone flooring comes in various types which makes it well-suited for each place. Let’s jump into the detail and get familiar with:

WHAT IS NATURAL STONE FLOORING?

Masonry floors cannot go alone. They always need a coating that acts as a protective cover and makes the area presentable. Likewise, natural stone flooring is a coating of durability, purity, and stiffness that can add a unique charm. Quarried from the lap of nature and dimensional cut as per the demand, natural stones prove a wise flooring choice. Be it a natural stone tile, irregular flagstone saw cut, or chiseled pavers, natural stone stands well at any phase.

Stone flooring is not only becoming a top trending option for residential projects. It is equally growing in the industrial as well as commercial sectors. So, if you are having any project that needs a floor makeover, consider natural stone products for a chic appeal.

TYPES AVAILABLE

It is vital to know about the types available to make your decision an easy process. Talking particularly about real stone flooring, you will get immense options when stepping out into the market. Have a look at the popular stone flooring types that will never let your construction project down:

SANDSTONE: 

Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock quarried deep from the earth’s crust. It is composed of clay, silicates, feldspar, and quartz. It is popular among the people because of its distinctive style. Mainly found in the warm & earthen hues. 

Sandy’s textures and mottled striations make it appealing. Sandstone flooring, being hard and stiff serves as an ideal option for laying near the pool decks and patio installations. Soft and calm hues can set a mood when applied to the backyard flooring.

LIMESTONE: 

Limestone is also a popular sedimentary rock with its own characteristics. It is composed of calcium carbonate and mineral calcite. Limestone flooring is a durable, real and beautiful option to develop a sophisticated view. 

Muted to dark tones give birth to a number of design options that creates a presentable environment. Although limestone is porous in texture and would recommend applying sealers for the best results. One can choose limestone flooring for front yard installations to leave a high impact on the viewers. 

TRAVERTINE:

Do you know?

Travertine belongs to the limestone family which came into formation by hot spring water. So, the sandy colors blend nicely with the design wherever applied. 

The only things that one needs to take care of while working with travertine are the use of sealers and mild cleaners. Its unique appearance and texture make it one of the best flooring options for both indoors and outdoors. 

QUARTZITE:

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that becomes hard with the process of excessive heating under the earth’s crust. Each piece of natural stone quartzite is recrystallized in the heat that brings a slight sprinkling touch to its surface. Mainly comes in gold, green and beige tones to enrich the interiors/ exteriors. Good compressive strength makes it an ideal floor covering choice. 

SLATESTONE:

By choosing stone flooring, you will get endless options. Slatestone is one of the other types available in the range of natural stone flooring. It is composed of fine grains, shales, and cleft texture. Slate being a metamorphic rock is well known for its durability, sustainability, and hardness. Slatestone flooring is available in single to multi-color with various design styles. 

GRANITE:

Granite flooring is one of the most popular choices for ages. It is igneous rock mainly composed of the minerals quartz, mica, and feldspar. Granite is a durable choice if you are planning any commercial or a driveway project. 

In fact, it is not only durable but equally appealing as well. Granite was usually supposed to come in blacks and greys. But with the advancement in the stone industry, granite flooring is also now available in Golds. Thus, make your project shine like gold with the application of granite flooring. 

BASALT

Basalt is extrusive igneous rock used for paving the indoor as well as outdoor surfaces. Being a solid rock, basalt flooring is well suited for heavy foot traffic areas. Be it about a pathway design or patio flooring, basalt magnifies everything with its charm. How don’t want the bold and dramatic look? Bring it home with basalt flooring installation and feel the essence of nature.  

PROS OF NATURAL STONE FLOORING

Not one or two, but there are endless benefits of using natural stone flooring for your construction project. From durability to longevity, appearance to functionality, and eco-friendly to sustainability, stone flooring carries everything. 

Durability to longevity

Talking first about the major aspect of the construction project i.e. a hard-wearing framework. It can only be possible if you have a strong base. Thus, nothing can provide a stiff base than natural stone products. 

Thinking of backyard renovation or a pool deck remodeling, stone flooring options by Stone Universe Inc leads to a durable choice. Being a natural stone supplier, SUI picks floor stone with high compressive strength and low bending rate. Not only these two, but flexural strength also plays a vital role in defining the durability factor.

It adds a lot to the physical strength of the construction area. This makes it best suitable for even heavy foot traffic places. If you opt for a durable material at the initial stage, it remains long-lasting for the years to come. 

Appearance to functionality

You cannot go with one when it’s about your dream project. Appearance and functionality both go sides by side – when it’s natural stone! Attractive in appearance and highly functional stone flooring are all that your renovation project demands.

Neutrals carrying rich mineral properties give an exotic appeal to the area. It is equally suitable for both interiors & exteriors in the terms of functionality. It can resist weather conditions, climatic conditions, and normal wear and tear. So, what are you waiting for? Choose natural stone flooring and flow with the latest design trends. 

Eco-Friendly to Sustainability

Coming next to the green attribute, natural stone products fulfill the green attribute principle and become an eco-friendly choice. Comes from the lap of nature, it keeps the environment safe. It does not carry any added chemicals or synthetic sin its formation. Moreover, it brings you closer to nature by spreading natural essence all around. Advanced technology in the stone industry leads to high production at a lower cost which makes it a sustainable choice as well. 

CONS OF NATURAL STONE FLOORING

No doubt that natural stone flooring proves advantageous over other building materials, but it has some cons as no material is entirely perfect. Let’s discuss:

• Water can seep in between the layers of slate where water is subject to freeze/ thaw. Not all slatestones are freeze/thaw resistant. So, it is recommended to apply quality sealers when you want to install them in the frost areas.
• Not all the sandstones are equally harder and dense. Its compressive strength may vary depending upon the presence of calcite in it, which can make it a bit softer.
• Efflorescence can cause on the limestone with the passage of time which can lower its brightness and natural hue. 

Each coin has two sides. Keeping in view a number of natural stone flooring advantages, some of its negative aspects can be overlooked when you are not in the mood to compromise beauty and durability. 

INSPIRING REMODELING IDEAS

We are always there to inspire you in your dream construction project. The floor choice is an important aspect. These floor design ideas will inspire you to attain the best for your place. Whether you want to remodel entire coverings or just want a part renovation, have a look at one of the best picks:

CLASSY SANDSTONE – WITH VEINS

If you are a texture lover, this sandstone paver flooring will surely be going to catch your attention. The deep shades of orange, beige, and tan with violet flecks on the stone surface give an amazing appeal.

See, the way in which this classy sandstone paver brings out its unique characteristics. A multi-colored paver flooring, when paired with a nice seating arrangement gives a wow appeal. The contrast and boldness of rainbow pavers unhide even the muted elements of the scene. 

CHOOSE BOLD CONTRAST FOR YARD FLOORING

Exteriors are all about creating a bold style statement to make it captivating. What goes better than a solid tumbled black flooring? The charcoal and grey neutrals merged so well to bring an eye-catchy antique black. 

Filled with the hardness of limestone and bold in character, this natural stone flooring is the perfect inspiration for your upcoming project. Varied size natural stone pavers are installed in a defined pattern to give more volume to the landscaping design.

GO LIMITLESS WITH SLATESTONE FLOORING

Who doesn’t want to have an outdoor grilling station or patio to meet today’s landscaping style demand? Thus, make it presentable with slatestone flooring installation. 

Here, saw cut pavers of California gold were applied to the exterior flooring to make look smooth and stylish. Dark earthen tones with hints of gold, and blue creates a nice impact. Pavers with the non-tumbled finish and sawn edges adjust on the floor so beautifully completing the entire surroundings. 

CHOOSE BASALT FOR A MAGNIFICANT TOUCH

Opt for basalt stone flooring for a bold character. When you go for basalt, it open ups various rooms for design. It shows a fine contrast of bold and deep look without making it too gloomy. Easy to clean and simple to maintain, basalt flooring is one of the best choices for paving the floors. 

Every piece of basalt tells a story of durability and beauty for a long. Square rectangular pieces of paver jumbo pattern are used on the entire flooring. Thus, making it attractive in appeal and durable in nature.

SANDY BROWNS IN SANDSTONE

Sandstone flooring is well-known for its sandy and deserted tones. This landscaping design idea proves it true. Here, brown paver flooring is used to uplift the traditional backyard into a modern style statement. 

Browns with muted beige, grey, and tan somewhere on the sandstone surface pair up well to create a tempting design scheme. Grab this design idea to renovate your backyard or front yard flooring.

These are just a few inspirations that can make your mind opt for natural stone flooring. A lot more are there in our inspiration project gallery.  

FLOOR CLEANING TIPS

Natural stone flooring is never too tricky to manage. All you need to do is the proper and timely care of the stone. With regular cleaning, the stone floor becomes new, year after year. 

Let’s keep it simple. Routine cleaning with a duster and lukewarm water maintains the original beauty of stone for a long. Use a clean rag mop and a soft cloth for best results

For its makeover and extra preservation, good-quality sealers can be used. Sealers with a medium pH level are a good go option. Highly reactive acids can cause dullness to the floor stone. So, one should be particular while having those foods or drinks that contain acid.  

FINAL WORDS: 

When you are surrounded by a plethora of options to choose from for your dream place, it gives a nice feel. Plus open up various rooms to design the project in the way you want. Natural stone exudes luxury by creating a style statement that stands well to the test of time. Natural stone flooring is a popular choice among architects, contractors, interior designers, and even homeowners. The reason is the availability of good options, visual impact, and high rate of durability. 

Unfolding the pages of history, sandstone flooring symbioses stiffness. Whereas limestone and travertine flooring are the trademark of durability. Granite and basalt flooring set standards of longevity. All you need to do is having regular care of natural stone flooring by following do’s and don’ts. 

The post NATURAL STONE FLOORING – TYPES, PROS, CONS & MUCH MORE! first appeared on Natural Stone Supplier | Landscape Supply | CA | TX | WA | MD | USA.

WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY NATURAL STONE FLOORING?

When we provide a permanent covering to our floors and make them smooth for walking, is referred to as flooring. This is like providing carpeting to your rough surfaces and making them easy to walk on.

When this carpeting is done with the help of stones quarried naturally from the lap of nature, size, and finished to form a base product for your buildings, installed in a way that they stand on with a lasting impact is called a Natural Stone Flooring.

WHY NATURAL STONES ARE IN TREND THESE DAYS?

If we unfold the pages of history, we will find Natural Stones were on the trend for ages. To exemplify more, many monuments of historical importance, heritage elegance, and treasures of the world like Machu-Picchu in Peru, The Egyptian Pyramids of Giza (Egypt), The Qutub Minar – Delhi (India), The Taj Mahal – Agra (India), The Colosseum – Rome (Italy), Monument – Washington D.C (USA), are shining with the glace of Natural Stones till date.

These structures echo the ever-lasting qualities of stone and voice their strength and durability. So taking these considerations further, people have also focused on giving the same characteristics to their building projects. To build the architectural quality of our home, it is also important that we should also contribute toward the Green and eco-friendly environment.

Witnessing the past situations where more weightage is given to hygiene and environment-friendly surroundings, Go Green and recycle is the motto of the time. Because of the innate quality of these natural stones of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, they have garnered much interest among the architectures looking forward to building a Green Lifestyle.  As listed above, there are certainly other reasons why Natural stone is the first choice for building a beautiful abode.

TYPES OF NATURAL STONE FLOORING PRODUCTS

We know that derived from the crust of the Earth, these stones are made up of various geological and chemical changes that are taking place for millions of years. Based on their various characteristics, they are categorized as sandstones, Limestone, Travertine, Quartzite, Slate, Granite, etc. which has a vast product line attached to their names.

Let us see what all comes under the Flooring Category:

1.  COBBLESTONES

Popularly known as the Driveway cubes/cobbles/pavers, are typically the cubical stones having irregular dimensions that give an uncanny appeal to your pathways making your landscaping a visual to behold. Usually made up of Basalts or Granites, these are the hard-bearing rocks that lie in between Boulders and pebbles. To give an exquisite look to your driveway besides providing longevity, the product has the endurance to withstand heavy vehicles as well. Newly built parks, malls, and roads make use of this product of modern application. Stone Universe Inc. deals in Granite cobblestones and presents an array of colors

2.  FLAGSTONES

A generic flat kind of stone that is commonly available in rectangular or square shape gives an innovative look to your surface is how flagstones are usually termed as. The popular slate material giving a visual of a jigsaw puzzle gives an interesting look to your floorings. This product can be a really good idea to lay on any sort of surface be it high or low traffic area. It is an affordable and durable rock that stays for long and has a low maintenance cost attached. SUI presents a variety of shades for these flooring options.

3.  PAVER ASHLAR PATTERN

Usually referred to as Mixed-sized patterns, these are the organic stone material quarried naturally and finished in distinct sizes to give again a zigzag interlocked look to our flooring. Used in interiors or exteriors of our projects, these are the 8-sized patterns that have eight different sizes of natural stones that give an elegant finish to our walkways, kitchen floorings, pool areas, and covers specific interiors as well.

Let your creative sense work a bit here! To give a truly random and endless virtual appeal to your surfaces, this idea is unique and looks elegant when it comes to laying your floors with these pattern blocks. Their interlocking techniques provide a sturdy grip to our driveways making them step over with vehicular weights. Take a glance at the SUI collection of Paver Ashlar Patterns.

4.  PEBBLES

Pebbles are small round smooth stones commonly found near water. Larger than granules and smaller than Cobbles, that is how we identify pebbles as. Conventionally used as a decorative stone, pebbles have been used both indoors as well as outdoors when it comes to gracing the desolate areas of your surroundings. Beautifying the water streams, gardens, walkways, or giving grace to your indoors like using them in the Offices is something that Pebbles works for.

Formed both naturally and artificially, pebbles are sedimentary rocks that have become smooth with the test of time and water. Stone Universe deals with Granite Pebbles that are available in different colors that give a visual transformation to your landscaping.

5.  STEPPING STONES

As the name suggests, these are the steppers that are used on your walkways and pathways to tread you indoors or through a garden area. This brings uniqueness to your otherwise flat and dull paths. These geometrical shapes, provide visual appeal to the surroundings.

They can be slate, basalts, limestone, they work the same way if installed properly. To give more gleam and glimmer to these thoughts Stone Universe has some of the finest shapes in the product in its array. The Heart-shaped, Texas-shaped are a few of the examples

6.  STEPS

Used in both the exterior and interior of your project, Steps are cuboidal structures, a solitary piece of solid stone material that is used as a platform and as a staircase riser. Installed as garden steps, walkways, entryways, they enhance the look of your patios. Commonly used in Sandstone, the material is anti-slippery. This item from SUI has an unparalleled elegance of its own

PROS OF NATURAL STONE FLOORING

No doubt that we have other man-made stones available in the market which can serve as a replica for these natural stone products but the real grace and old-world charm is created by these Organic stones only. Besides being aesthetically appealing, this natural stone material has many advantages attached to them.

Sturdiness 

Being a hard material Natural stones are best suitable for every kind of situation in outdoor flooring where most of the wear-tear is expected along with heavy vehicular movement.

Weather Resistant

Most Natural Stones are heat resistant and do not fade early. This means they stand the test of the times and remains cool during summers and relatively hot during winters, giving a good heat retention quality.

Durability 

Because they stand the test of the times in heat and cold weather, and have low wear & tear properties, which makes us believe that they are strong enough that stay for years and years.

Distinctively Diverse

Being quarried stones from the lap of nature, these are unique in their own sense that no stone matches with the other even as far as patterns are concerned. They are so diversified from each other that every stone tells a unique story of its inception. This looks interesting to read when carpeted on the floors.

Aesthetic Appeal

All through we have been discussing how beautiful they look when installed. They give grace to the property, elegance of an era gone by, and a sizzling look of the modern-world designs. Isn’t it what we are looking forward to while building a dream project?

Easy Maintenance

Once we know about the cleaning techniques  for these natural stones, we will realize how cost-effective they are. Installed once, stayed for years is a tag they have been using for ages.

Easily Repairable

Otherwise strong enough to hold the tough weather conditions, still whenever sometimes a wear-tear happens, they are fixed easily. These surfaces are easy to re-polish and rebuild as they are made up of pieces put together.

Hygienic Investment

As comparable to wood or other material that catches bacteria, fungus, these natural stones are free from this kind of unhygienic condition. The dirt doesn’t stay in them for long. Cleaning them is an easy task as compared to other man-made stones or wooden floorings.

Cost-Effective

Relating quarried stones with high cost is a thing of the past. Since they have a low wear-tear of this stone that stays for years so there is only one time cost involved while installing the natural stones. A considerable reduction in the prices because of their common demand has gained them more popularity.

Eco-Friendly

Derived from the crust of the earth, they mingle with it only as they do not have any synthetic material involved in their inception. No chemicals and free from all sorts of synthetic finishing, they are a pure material that is here to sustain in this Green Environment.

Visit Stone Universe Inc. for their range of products and services available.

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