natural stone flooring Archives

Flooring
September 7, 2024

How to Incorporate Natural Stone Flooring into Modern Designs

The more you search, the more you find on flooring you DON’T want. Sure, you love the look of hardwood. You’ve read all the benefits of luxury vinyl.

But for as long as you can remember, your heart has moved toward natural stone flooring. You’ve looked at it, pinned it onto your pinboard. You love the way it looks. You love the elegance it adds.

This is your remodel. This is your time to install exactly what you want.

Why not natural stone flooring?

The Many Benefits of Natural Stone Flooring

Natural stone – even the words instill strength and durability. You’ve seen natural stone in high traffic areas – commercial buildings, resorts, hotels. And every time, you fall in love with its beauty. Natural stone – it’s what you want inside your home. And there are many reasons to consider it.

Durability

Natural stone is incredibly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic and wear and tear over time. That’s why installing it in high-traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, and entryways will create an environment that stands the test of time.

Aesthetic Appeal

Each piece of natural stone has a unique pattern and color variation, providing a distinctive and luxurious look to any space. No matter what you install, you’ll know you have a unique look you won’t find anywhere else.

Variety of Options

There is a wide range of natural stone options available, including marble, granite, limestone, slate, and travertine, each offering different colors, textures, and finishes. Want a unique look? Customize to your heart’s content. Start by getting inspiration from your favorite online resources.

Increased Property Value

Installing natural stone flooring can increase the resale value of your property. It is considered a premium material that adds a sense of luxury and sophistication, appealing to potential buyers.

Heat Retention

Natural stone has excellent thermal conductivity, which means it can retain heat well. This makes it an ideal choice for homes that wish to install radiant floor heating systems, as it can help keep spaces warm and comfortable.

Low Maintenance

With proper sealing and regular cleaning, natural stone flooring is relatively low maintenance. It resists dirt and allergens, making it a good option for those with allergies.

Eco-Friendly

Natural stone is an environmentally friendly choice since it is a natural material that does not require extensive manufacturing processes. Its durability also means it does not need to be replaced as often as other types of flooring, reducing waste over time.

Timelessness

Natural stone flooring has been used for centuries and continues to be a popular choice due to its timeless appeal. It never goes out of style – isn’t that appealing?

Hypoallergenic

Natural stone flooring does not harbor dust, pollen, or pet dander, meaning it’s a hypoallergenic option. It’s easy to clean and does not contribute to indoor air pollution, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

Versatility

Natural stone flooring can be used in various settings, both indoors and outdoors. It’s versatile enough for kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and pool areas, providing a cohesive look throughout different areas of a home or business.

Are you excited about natural stone flooring yet?

Choosing The Right Stone Flooring

For The Kitchen

Think about all you do in your kitchen. You’re in and out all day long. That’s a lot of activity in one room – it is the busiest room in the house. That means your flooring will have to stand up to the abuse.

The kitchen is a high-traffic area. It’s prone to spills and stains, and will see its share of dropped pans and big messes. Natural stone is highly durable and resistant to scratches and heat, making it perfect for the kitchen.

But it’s more than durability; natural stone also adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to the kitchen. Its unique patterns and textures can complement a variety of kitchen designs, from modern to rustic. What’s not to love?

And options – oh, the options. Why not try granite, known for its hardness and heat resistance, granite is a great choice for kitchen floors. It can handle the heavy use of a kitchen environment while adding a sleek, polished look.

What about slate? Slate offers a textured surface, which can provide good traction to prevent slips. Its earthy tones add warmth and a rustic charm, perfect for farmhouse or country-style kitchens.

For a softer, more subtle look, limestone provides a light, neutral palette. It works well in kitchens aiming for a bright, airy feel, especially in Mediterranean or coastal-style homes.

For Bathrooms

When you think bathrooms, tile and stone instantly come to mind. Natural stone is excellent for bathrooms due to its water-resistant properties, especially when properly sealed. Have you seen what you can do with stone? Stone flooring can transform a bathroom into a spa-like retreat, adding a sense of luxury and relaxation. Get those pinboards going – you’ll find a ton of ideas to inspire you.

Start with marble. Marble is a classic choice for bathrooms, offering a timeless look with its natural veining and glossy finish. It pairs well with both modern and traditional bathroom designs.

Want something a little more neutral? With its naturally porous surface, travertine provides a non-slip texture, ideal for bathrooms where water splashes are common. Its warm, neutral colors can create a soothing, natural atmosphere.

Of course, natural stone comes in big or small format. For a unique touch, consider a pebble stone floor for a walk-in shower. The natural texture provides a foot massage feel and adds a Zen-like element to the bathroom.

For Entryways

First impressions are everything, aren’t they? The entryway is the first area guests see, and natural stone makes a bold statement. It provides a welcoming, upscale entrance that can set the tone for the rest of the home.

Of course, you won’t have to sacrifice on durability. Entryways are subjected to dirt, moisture, and heavy foot traffic. Natural stone is durable and easy to clean, making it ideal for this space.

What to choose? How about slate? Slate’s textured surface can handle dirt and mud, making it perfect for entryways. Its dark tones can hide dirt, while its natural variation adds character and depth.

Or maybe granite is more your style. Granite offers a more formal look and is highly resistant to scratches and wear. It’s perfect for creating a grand entrance with a polished, glossy surface.

For a more rustic or natural feel, sandstone provides a rugged yet inviting texture. Its warm, earthy tones can make an entryway feel cozy and connected to the outdoors.

For Indoor/Outdoor Living

Colorado is known for its indoor/outdoor living. Maybe that’s why so many home remodels are finding more ways to bring the two together. Natural stone flooring can be used to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the sense of continuity and expanding living areas.

And oh, the water resistance. Stones like slate, travertine, and granite are weather-resistant, making them ideal for areas exposed to elements like patios, sunrooms, or covered porches. A perfect balance of style and functionality.

What should you choose? Travertine is perfect for creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow due to its textured surface and neutral tones that blend well with natural surroundings. Use it for a sunroom floor extending out to a patio.

And don’t forget about travertine. For a rustic or natural look, travertine works beautifully in indoor-outdoor transitions. Its earthy colors blend naturally with the outdoors, ideal for extending into indoor spaces.

What’s Your Desire?

With so many choices available, we understand it can be difficult to know where to start. We suggest starting by gathering your favorites. You’ve looked at design magazines, toured homes, and played with pinboards on Pinterest. Now it’s time to see the real thing.

Stop by today and see our entire collection. We’ll help you narrow down your selections, and even help you bring a few home. Live with them. See them in different lighting. And finalize the natural stone that will enhance your living space.

How can we help you?

Flooring
October 14, 2021

Why Natural Stone Flooring Is The Right Choice For Your Home

As a homeowner, maintaining your home is part of homeownership. When it comes time to upgrade your floors, you have two choices: natural or synthetic.

Natural flooring choices are created from things occurring in nature. It includes materials like slate, granite, wood, and marble. Synthetic flooring is human-made, created and engineered from products found in a lab. It includes laminate, vinyl, ceramic, quartz, and some fibers.

All you have to do is look at a design magazine to tell what’s trending in current home design. While synthetic materials grew in popularity after WWII, natural flooring has made a comeback in recent years.

A lot of that comes from wanting to increase sustainability. Selecting materials that don’t harm the earth is only part of the equation. We care about our health, and pay attention to indoor air quality. We want flooring materials that will stand the test of time. We want products that are good for our homes, and look great doing so.

That’s why natural stone flooring continues to top design lists.

According to a report “Natural Stone Market by Type (Marble, Granite, Limestone, and Others) and Application (Flooring, Memorial Arts, Wall Cladding, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019–2026,” the global natural stone market is expected to hit $48.06 billion by 2026, an increase of almost 4 percent growth per year.

With more people remodeling, creating space at home where they can work and play, natural stone flooring is being included for a variety of reasons. Natural stone refers to various mined substances pulled from the earth to be used in home decor. Common natural stone flooring products include granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate, and travertine. While each of these substances makes for great flooring, they all have slightly different properties that react to daily usage in different ways. Before you make your final decision, it’s important to understand the different properties and select the one that suits your needs best.

As you shop for flooring, it’s easy to focus on what you can see – color, patterns, style. Yet there are other things you should consider before honing in on a particular product, to ensure it works well with your family’s lifestyle.

Water testing

If you’re thinking of installing natural stone, chances are it’s because of its durability. Whether you place it in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, the idea of not having to worry about moisture problems is appealing.

Yet different types of stone have different qualities that make some better where moisture is a concern. An absorption rating is given to natural stone flooring products to let consumers know how porous a material is. It’s a measure that can tell you the susceptibility to damage during freezing conditions, as well as the absorption rate in the case of liquid spills. It’s expressed as a percentage of weight change due to absorbed water. You’ll find natural stone classified as:

Non-vitreous – this is the highest absorption level. They shouldn’t be used if dampness is an issue.
Semi-vitreous – while they can handle some moisture, the more they are subjected to, the more maintenance they will need.
Vitreous – this provides standard absorption and is considered appropriate for installing both indoors and out.
Impervious – these products are resistant to absorption of liquids and are considered easier to maintain. You’ll find these products in commercial applications because of how well they stand up to wear and tear.

From the materials listed above, you’ll find sandstone is the most porous material, while granite will stand the test of time in high moisture situations.

Grading systems

While natural stone is known for its classic beauty, its long-term durability, and its lasting value, it’s important to select the right type of stone to suit your needs. When you start looking at flooring products, be sure to pay attention to their grading system. Grading systems will help you determine the quality of the product and how well it will stand up over time. Quality is usually referred to as:

Grade 1 – high quality stone with uniformity throughout the product
Grade 2 – may have minor defects and slightly irregular surface areas
Grade 3 – highly irregular surface areas, making them appropriate for smaller applications, such as accent pieces or decorative applications

It’s equally important to pay attention to the indoor/outdoor rating. Some natural stones are better suited for handling outside surface areas than others. This is especially important if you’ll be carrying the look of a kitchen to an outdoor living space, for example. Here in Colorado, the natural stone must be rated to handle extreme temperature changes, as well as handle well in moisture where slipping can be a problem. Non-vitreous materials will absorb rain and snow, crack under pressure, as well as expand and contract from season to season. They aren’t suitable for outdoor use.

Types of natural stone

While you might have a specific stone in mind, it’s wise to learn all you can about the various materials before you make your final selection.

Granite – granite continues to be on top of flooring lists because of its durability. It won’t scratch or scorch, and stains are rarely a problem as long as it’s properly sealed. It’s easy to maintain as it hides dust and grime well. Granite also works well for bringing the indoors outside as you carry your decor from one location to the next. Its wide variety of colors and patterns gives you even more reasons to say yes to this flooring product.

Limestone – while not one of the more popular choices for home use, limestone is known for its durability. Its unique markings can create a beautiful living space. It handles similarly to marble and travertine,

Marble – marble says “luxury” in a way other stones can’t. Its smooth texture, high gloss finish, and dramatic veining can take center stage in any room in your home. You’ll find a variety of colors, although white marble remains one of the most popular. While marble is often chosen in kitchen and bathroom applications, keep in mind that it is a softer calcium-based stone that can dull and scratch from acidic foods and drinks.

Sandstone – sandstone provides a warm, earthy look and feel. If you’re focused on natural decor with a beachy feel, sandstone maybe your flooring choice. It’s sleek and uniform without a lot of variation. It’s relatively porous, so it can scratch and stain easily.

Slate – you’ll recognize slate by its fine grain texture. It comes in a variety of colors, with greens, reds, purples, blacks, and browns running through from tile to tile. Slate can be finicky depending on the product you install. Some can be easy to maintain and highly resistant to damage, while other products can be the opposite. It’s a good idea to test your product before finalizing your decision.

Travertine – travertine is formed by hot spring water moving through limestone and giving it its unique characteristics. It’s an ideal flooring for high moisture areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. While it handles well in wet situations, it’s also softer, much like marble. It can be scratched and etched from harsh cleaners and acids. If you use it in the kitchen, it may take additional maintenance.

What’s the right natural stone flooring for your home? Bring your questions into our showroom, and we’ll help you find your perfect choice.

Flooring, Tile Floors
April 11, 2015

Pros And Cons Of Using Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone is one of the most stylish and fashionable materials you can use for your flooring. You can use it inside and out. You can use it in any room in your home.

But there are a few things you should know before you make your final selection.

There are four types of natural stone that are popular choices homeowners select regularly; are one of these right for you? Below you will find more details about each variety of stone including where they perform best and where they may need additional consideration. With this knowledge, you will be able to decide on the perfect stone that matches your needs.

Stone Flooring Features, Benefits, and Disadvantages

Marble: natural beauty with limits

Marble is formed when limestone crystallizes as a result of high pressure and high temperatures while underground. As it crystallizes, it becomes harder and denser. This hardness allows it to be smoothed and polished during processing. Like all natural stones, marble must have a protective sealant applied before use, and must be maintained and reapplied regularly for full protection. Marble is susceptible to staining, so its important to clean up spills immediately to avoid potential damage. Everyday substances that contain acid – alcohol, fruit juices, vinegar, tomato products, mustard, salad dressing, tea, coffee, cosmetics – all can stain or damage the area is left sitting for any length of time.

Pros: Beautiful colors and patterns, because its natural, no two tiles are ever the same.

Cons: Prone to staining, will show wear quickly from acid based products.

Granite: tough but heavy

Granite is one of the hardest natural stones, which is why its used frequently in kitchens. Granite is formed from cooling magma underground. Because the cooling process is very slow, granite builds both strength and hardness as it goes through the process. Its made up of a variety of minerals, including quartz and feldspar, which give it its granular composition and texture. However, its strength is also its weakness. Because granite is very hard and unforgiving, when installing it as flooring, the subflooring must be completely level and have the strength to support its heaviness. If the floor has bumps or even tiny valleys, granite tiles will crack easily.

Pros: Beautiful color, hard surface that takes wear and tear from normal family life.

Cons: One of the heaviest flooring choices, must have support in place.

Slate: resilient but ununiform

Slate is formed deep in the earth as shale, and under the right combination of heat and pressure. Slate tile has a duller and slightly more uneven look than its other natural stone predecessors, which also makes it the tile of choice if slip resistant flooring matters to you. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, often providing a rustic or modern look and feel. It is more stain resistant than other stone choices, takes water well, and is highly durable. Slate can be cracked if laid on an uneven subfloor, or if a heavy object is dropped on it. Because slate is formed in layers, in rare cases it has been known to flake or peel Its important to treat with a sealant immediately after installation and maintain the sealant on a regular basis.

Pros: Dark, earthy color pallets with a natural, rustic look. Tends to be more resilient than other stone.

Cons: Tiles can be uneven due to the layering quality of the tile.

Travertine: soft stone that feels great but wears more easily

Travertine has a similar makeup as limestone or marble, and is composed of a sedimentary rock, calcite. Travertine has been used for centuries around the world; look to the Colosseum in Rome to see it in use. Travertine is a porous stone with natural holes from formation. In order to protect it, it must be sealed prior to grouting and again after installation for protection. It will soak up liquids and will stain if left untreated. It is also susceptible to stains from acidic foods. Travertine is a softer stone, which means its also more prone to scratching and showing wear and tear.

Pros: Travertine comes in rich, earthy tones. Because it’s a softer tile, it will feel soft underfoot.

Cons: It has a tendency to scratch, and will stain if not treated.

Contact PRO! Flooring today to speak to one of our flooring experts and find which natural stone tile will work best for your project.

Related: A Guide to Resilient Flooring

About Pro Flooring Brokers

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Commercial and residential customers love our huge selection of carpet, hardwood, porcelain tile, natural stone, luxury vinyl tile/planks, laminate flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring. Check out our products to learn more. Visit our showroom, meet our team, and let’s start your flooring project together. We offer:

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you.