HomeTriangle Guides: The Pros & Cons Of Stone Floors

Stone floors can be beautiful additions to your home. Their beautiful and sturdy features make them extremely attractive and long-lasting. Apart from concrete, stone floors are the only flooring materials that can be used both indoors and outdoors. But, like anything else, stone floors are not just pros. They have some cons you should be aware of too.

Read HomeTriangle guide to the various pros and cons of natural stone floors to help make your decision.

Pros:

Stones Last Forever

Like I already said, stones are incredibly strong and hardy. You don’t really need any proof other than the fact that most of the ancient structures built by humans that still stand today are made of stone. Stone floors should be your top choice if you’re building a home you hope to live in for decades. Unlike wooden floors that need refinishing or engineered wood floors that might need to be replaced after a while, stone floors require very little maintenance.

Creates a Seamless Look When Used Indoors & Out

One of the easiest ways to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow is to use the same stone inside as well as outside the house. This will connect the two spaces with a stunning effect, especially with large windows and sliding glass doors, or even a pivoting wall.

Stone Is Naturally Cool In Warm Weather

Stone floors have a natural ability to stay cool to the touch even when outdoor temperatures climb. This ability makes natural stone floors an ideal option for people living in warm or temperate climates. Stepping on bare stone floors barefoot in summer is an absolutely satisfying feeling

Stone floors work well with radiant heat

Radiant heat beneath stone floors is not only a luxurious but also an energy-efficient way to heat your home. Stone is an excellent conductor of heat and that makes it a top choice for radiant heat systems, especially if you live in a place where winters are cold.

Stone floors help keep allergens at bay

Stone floors are excellent at keeping dust and allergens out of the house. If you or anyone else in your family suffers from allergies, stone floors are an excellent choice for your home. The hard and nonporous surface does not leave any place for allergens to hide. This makes mopping or vacuuming your home extremely effective.

Cons:

Stone is expensive

Stone is expensive and there is no way around it. Even though you can cut down on costs if you choose a stone that is locally quarried, it will still cost more than other options like wood.

Stone floors can be cold

If you live in colder climates and haven’t installed radiant heat beneath those stone floors, they may feel quite chilly in winter. You can definitely warm the floors with rugs, but any exposed areas of the floor will feel cold on bare feet.

Wet stone can be slippery

Stone floors are quite slippery when wet compared to options such as wood. Some finishes and sealants can help make the stone less slippery but even with a honed finish, which is less slippery, stones can become quite slippery when it gets wet. Our experts suggest you use nonskid mats in areas where water may splash onto the floor such as baths to ensure you slip and fall.

Stone is really heavy

You need skilled and experienced professionals to install stone flooring. It is crucial that you check with a professional before purchasing stone flooring to make sure you will be able to install it where you want.