Take a chance on stone flooring
2010-05-25

Stone kitchen flooring is ideal for some homes and lifestyles and adds an elegant and expensive look, but takes a bit more care than other options. It can also create continuity when used outside on the patio. As it comes in a mostly untreated state, be prepared for variations in texture and tone.

Stone flooring is a wonderful choice for any decorating style in the kitchen. Although many people think of stone as expensive and cold, it can actually be quite a pleasure for the feet and will last a lifetime after one investment. If you do find that stone flooring is too cold for your kitchen, radiant heat can be added during installation to help warm the floor. Using rugs or rubber flooring in areas where you stand to prepare and cook food also increases comfort.

Marble in the kitchen is not usually a good idea. It is more susceptible to scratches and dents and is very porous so it may stain easily. Acid in fruit juices and vinegar will etch and dull the finish, so you must be sure to seal and clean it professionally every 9-12 months and tend to spills quickly.

Sandstone has variable durability, depending on the cementing material when it was formed. It tends to be pretty soft and natarl like cork floors, so it may not be the right choice for an active family. Sandstone tiles come in colors ranging from red to reddish-brown to gray, white, and yellow. Sealing sandstone after installation will make it more stain resistant and easier to clean up.

Slate is a very tough flooring choice. Extremely durable and stain resistant when sealed, slate is excellent for use in the kitchen. Colors include red, green, brown, black and a mottled green. Dust shows more with a glossy sealer on a dark background than either a matte finish sealer or a lighter color stone.

Granite tile is the hardest tile flooring available, and is able to withstand a lot of traffic. The highly polished stone is easy to clean, but if it gets too smooth it gets slippery when wet. The beautiful and spontaneous colors in the granite tile will make your kitchen into the showplace that you have always wanted it to be. Granite tile is also stain resistant and easy to clean.

Installing stone flooring in the kitchen will instantly add value and elegance to your home. If you are looking for a permanent flooring solution that will go with many different decorating styles, then stone flooring could be the choice for you.