The Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Flooring
Natural stone flooring can add aesthetic value to any room. However, there are various pros and cons to consider before you invest in it as a flooring option.
Stone floors are attractive, eco-friendly and durable, plus they can function in any room of the house. Natural stone is one of the only materials that can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you’re considering purchasing natural stone flooring, these pros and cons can help you decide.
Pros
Attractive
Choosing natural stone flooring means using a unique product designed by nature. The principle advantage of natural stone is that it makes a bold statement of elegance and style. Not only is it unquestionably beautiful, but natural stone also creates a warm aesthetic that gives a home a pleasant ambience. Furthermore, it can match any period or style of design and décor.
Eco-friendly
Choosing natural stone is a sustainable decision, as it demonstrates a responsibility to take care of the Earth by actively striving to preserve and improve the natural environment. As a natural product, stone is a green building material. It contains no harmful chemicals or toxins, so it will have no damaging effects on your interior environment. Natural stone is also available locally so greenhouse gas emissions are reduced during transportation.
Hard-wearing
Natural stone flooring provides a hard-wearing surface. Stone materials such as granite are generally durable so are resistant to most scratching and acid damage. As a result of its hard-wearing nature, natural stone is perfect for flooring in highly used areas, such as kitchen worktops. It’s also resistant to dirt and staining.
Slip-resistant
Unlike ceramic and other materials, natural stone isn’t slippery unless it gets wet. Not only does this make natural stone perfect for homeowners with children or pets, but it also means it’s useful for outdoor flooring.
Insulating
Although natural stone is one of the coldest flooring options available, it’s actually very good at transmitting heat. When paired with radiant below-surface heating systems, natural stone flooring warms up quickly – this can be a lovely feature during the winter.
Cons
Costly
Natural stone can be expensive, but there are ways to reduce this. Choosing natural stone that is quarried locally can help reduce costs, as it removes the price of shipping. However, even local natural stone costs more than other materials, such as wood.
It could be chipped or scratched
Soft natural stone, such as limestone, is brittle and nowhere near as strong as ceramic tile, so it can break rather easily. As a result, natural stone flooring may require structural adaptations. If the foundations or subfloor flex, natural stone is susceptible to cracking. Therefore, it may require substantial reinforcement before the flooring is installed.
We hope this guide to the pros and cons of natural stone flooring has been useful! If you think natural stone could be the right choice for you, do get in touch to see how we can meet your requirements.
