Blog
Stone Tile Floor Options and the Pros and Cons of Each
25th May 2018
Natural stone is a gorgeous addition to your home whether you choose to use it indoors or outside. How do you know if porcelain, marble, or concrete tiles would be best for your home? Where do you even start comparing the styles, colors, and care for each? We want to make the selection an easy choice if you do indeed feel as if stone is right.
Why choose stone tile for a room in your home?
Besides the stunning beauty of the veining and color variations in stone, the fact that you will never need to replace your floor again when you have an expert install a tile floor. This perk is a huge reason why some homeowners opt for marble in the entry or bathroom. People with allergies can avoid these issues with stone. This flooring selection works extremely well with radiant floor heating. One of the things that appeal to homeowners is that stone is cool on the feet in warm temperatures.
Reasons you may decide against stone for your situation
If you have aging parents or young children, then you may want to go with another flooring option because stone is unforgiving. Although the material is cool in the summer, it is cold in the winter, so radiant floor heating is a good idea. The cost of stone is one thing that deters many homeowners against this product. The weight of these tiles is something that every property owner should keep in mind. Houzz says that these tiles are often slippery because of the sealer you must use on the floor.
Travertine
Since this style of stone looks so much like marble, many homeowners choose it for the various colors differences. Some property owners feel that the design options outweigh the disadvantages of this tile selection.
Pros
- Bold patterns
- Elegant quality
- Various colors in the same tile
Cons
- Very porous
- Easy to etch or scratch
- Stains quickly
- Grout lines can loosen
- Hard to match colors once the floor is laid
Slate
You might notice these materials on your neighbor’s roof. Slate makes an excellent option for natural stone tile on your floor too.
Upside
- Stunning looks
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
Disadvantages
- Requires precise installation
- Splits are common problems that need repairing
Granite
Although many homeowners use this material for counters, granite has a price somewhere in the mid-range of tile choices. The experts at DIY suggest that you choose a darker grout color to minimize stains.
Advantages
- Tough
- Long-lasting
- Dense material
Drawbacks
- Requires sealing
- Hard to trim
- Can stain easily if sealant is old or worn
Marble
Marble tile is an exquisite option for your floors. While you can use this as a backsplash, accent wall, or tub surround, marble is a fantastic choice for homeowners that never plan to move.
Pros
- Spectacular character
Disadvantages
- Hard to match tiles versus single slabs
- Porous
- Scratches easily
- Stains without proper sealing
- Requires regular cleaning
Concrete
Whether you choose this tile for indoors or outdoors, you know that your floor will last a long time.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Weather-resistant
- Excellent for tough climates when put outdoors
Disadvantages
- Needs specialty tools
- Difficult to place
- Extremely heavy
Engineered stone
This stone is human-made. Marble, other stone pieces, and often epoxy make up an engineered tile.
Pros
- Versatile
- Even thickness
- Durability
- Medium price range
Cons
- Sealers can fade in sunlight
- Prone to chipping
- Requires regular upkeep
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic variety of tile. This option will not work with the standard ceramic compound.
Advantages
- Unlimited style options
- Extremely durable
- Works great in commercial areas
Drawbacks
- Specialty installation
- More durable than necessary for residential applications
Do you have more questions about stone tile? Accent on Floors has a broad range of tile uses in our showroom including ways that you can use tile for your backsplash, counter, or shower walls. Stop by our Hopewell VA showroom on West City Point Road, or give one our flooring specialists a call at 804-458-0048. You can connect with us on Facebook too. We enjoy talking about tile options and other flooring materials, so check out our comments and see what is new in our showroom.
References:
https://chesterfloors.com/flooring/tile-flooring-and-installation/
https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/floors/the-pros-and-cons-of-slate-tile
https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32795872/list/are-stone-floors-right-for-your-home
http://www.onlinetips.org/travertine/