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Ultimate Guide to Natural Stone Flooring: Types, Maintenance, and Design Tips

In this blog, we will consider some of the vast array of stone options available for flooring in your home or business. We’ll also give some handy hints on how to look after it to get the most out of it so let’s get started. 

Different Types of Natural Stone Flooring 

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to natural stone flooring so whatever your design goals, you’re sure to find something that suits. Natural stone slabs and tiles allow you to bring the intricate designs that Nature has created into your home through sturdy products that will bring your home to life for years to come. 

One of the most popular options is marble, especially polished, as it makes any space take on an elegant shine with its unique patterning. It’s one of the more expensive options but it’s built to last. For those who want a more rugged look with a lot of colour options, limestone flooring is the one to choose. This flooring is great for high-traffic rooms and is resistant to temperature changes. Another great all-rounder that’s hard to damage is granite. Many people assume it’s only available in dark grey, but it actually comes in many available hues from dark to light and many possible finishes that make it a solid choice for all spaces.

Those who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to wood flooring could consider travertine. Available in a wide range of colours, its natural pattern is close to the swirling grain of wood. Available polished for those who want some extra wow factor, this stone looks great in outdoor spaces. 

This is just a handful of the options available to you when you choose natural stone flooring. 

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting and Shiny Finish Stone Floors 

When you choose to invest in stone flooring your supplier will be able to give you specific cleaning tips for your selected materials. There are some general guidelines though. For all stone flooring but especially porous ones, you should vacuum or sweep regularly. This stops any debris from settling into the stone as this could over time cause stains. To help prevent your floors from prematurely breaking down, avoid using acidic or harsh cleaners. Gentle is key with stone flooring so stick to cleaners like specific stone soap which will be the right pH or mild dish soap and don’t add too much product or you could end up with streaks. 

In terms of maintenance, stone flooring isn’t too difficult to look after. Check regularly for chips or cracks as these will need to be repaired before they spread. Try to clean up spills promptly to avoid any acidic damage to the stone, and if you have heavy furniture placing pads on the legs of it can help prevent dragging marks on the flooring. 

Tips for Blending and Laying Natural Stone 

Blending your natural stone flooring with other flooring such as wood can be a great way to add personality to your space. You will be working with different textures so choosing colours that complement each other is the best way to make it feel cohesive. Changing at thresholds will also make sure it doesn’t look jarring. 

Stone tiles aren’t too different from laying other flooring tiles but there’s a bit more prep work. It’s best to lay them out first with no adhesive. Natural stone can vary slightly in thickness so this will help you prepare for how much adhesive each individual tile will need to lie flat and lets you check for any damaged tiles. Taking your time and using a spirit level to make sure each tile is sitting right will help you get the best result. Once the tiles have set and been grouted, apply sealant straight away to protect the tiles while they’re looking their best. 

Design Ideas for Natural Stone Flooring 

When laying your flooring, mixing tiles from different boxes will let you get a mix of shades and patterns across the floor to highlight the natural textures that only stone can bring. In terms of design ideas, natural stone flooring is sure to be the talking point of the room so make it the star. 

In the kitchen match the cupboards and appliances to the shade of the floor to tie it all together. 

In a living area, you could even go for a sofa in a matching hue and just do a few accessories in a bold colour. Grey and minimalism are in right now in home décor, so we say lean into it. 

In the bathroom, polished flooring will reflect the silver of the taps and shower so choosing wall tiles that match the floor will make the space seem a lot bigger.

To get the flooring for your next project, check out our huge range of stone options here.

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