A Guide To Natural Stone Flooring: Pros, Cons, & Recommendations

Beloved for their natural beauty and impressive durability, stone tiles have long been a popular choice for flooring among homeowners and designers. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or entire home, our Gainesville flooring company recommends natural stone tiles to anybody looking for a stunning, sophisticated, and versatile flooring option.

Considering natural stone flooring, but not quite sure if it’s the right choice for your home? Below, our flooring installation contractors outline the pros and cons of natural stone flooring as well as provide some recommendations on rooms where stone tiles excel!

Straight Edge Tile & Flooring is your source for professional flooring installation and remodeling services in Gainesville, FL! Contact us today to request an estimate!

The Benefits Of Natural Stone Flooring

Unique, Timeless Appearance

Natural stone tiles stand out for their unparalleled uniqueness and elegant appearance, adding a touch of sophistication and timeless beauty to any space. When it comes to natural stone flooring, each piece is one-of-a-kind, featuring its own distinct pattern, veining, and color variation. From bright, elegant marble to the warm, earthy tones of travertine, natural stone is a stylish choice that complements both modern and traditional interior design schemes.

Exceptional Durability & Longevity

For many homeowners, the remarkable durability and longevity of stone flooring are among its most compelling features. With proper installation and care, natural stone flooring can last for decades, making it a worthwhile investment. In particular, stone materials such as granite and slate are renowned for their exceptional durability and resistance to everyday wear and tear, meaning they’re ideal choices for high-traffic areas of your home.

Easy To Clean & Maintain

When homeowners tell us they’re looking for low-maintenance flooring, natural stone tiles are often among our first recommendations. Cleaning natural stone flooring is relatively simple, as it only requires routine sweeping or vacuuming to remove debris. After that, mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner completes the cleaning process, leaving your floor looking good as new. Additionally, stone doesn't trap allergens like carpet does, so it contributes to a healthier and more hypoallergenic living environment.

Natural Cooling Properties

Florida’s humid subtropical climate means Gainesville homeowners are no strangers to nearly year-round heat and humidity. During the sweltering summer months, that relentless heat can permeate your home, making it difficult to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Fortunately, stone flooring possesses natural cooling properties and can help keep your home cool, making it an ideal choice in warm climates. Better yet, stone tile’s cooling properties can help reduce overreliance on your AC system, potentially saving you money on your energy bill.

Increased Home Value

Another of the most appealing advantages of choosing natural stone flooring is that it can increase your home’s resale value. Natural stone is a highly sought-after flooring material, and its timeless appeal often has a significant impact on homebuyers, contributing to a higher selling price. This increased home value, combined with the numerous other benefits of natural stone flooring, makes it an incredibly popular choice among homeowners.

Disadvantages Of Natural Stone Flooring

Clearly, natural stone flooring has many advantages that make it a coveted choice among homeowners. However, stone is not without some drawbacks that our flooring contractors urge you to consider carefully before making a final decision. For example, while its hardness makes stone flooring incredibly durable, it also deters homeowners who’d prefer a flooring that provides a softer underfoot experience. Additionally, certain stones are more porous and require regular sealing to prevent staining and moisture damage. Ultimately, one of the most significant considerations is its cost. Natural stone flooring tends to be more expensive than other options, such as ceramic tile or vinyl flooring, both in terms of material and installation costs. If price is your deciding factor, you can contact our tile installation specialists for a free estimate!

What Are The Best Rooms For Stone Flooring?

Now that we’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of natural stone flooring, we can move on to the fun part: remodeling recommendations! Natural stone flooring is a versatile option that can elevate almost any space, but certain rooms are especially well-suited to its unique advantages and features. The following are some of the best rooms for natural stone flooring!

• Kitchens: During kitchen remodels, we often recommend natural stone as it's easy to clean and stands up well to heavy foot traffic.
• Entryways: Natural stone flooring is ideal in high-traffic areas and makes for a great first impression in entryways.
• Living Rooms: Stone tiles can make a stunning focal point in your living room.
• Bathrooms: With the right stealing and an anti-slip finish, a natural stone floor can provide a spa-like feel to your bathroom remodel.

Natural Stone Flooring Installations In Gainesville, FL!

Straight Edge Tile & Flooring is here to help you transform your home with professional flooring installation services! Our experienced contractors can walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you find the perfect stone tiles for your home. You can count on us to handle every step of the installation process with expert care and craftsmanship.

Ready to transform your home with brand-new stone flooring? Contact us today to learn more or request an estimate!