When the time comes to choose a floor for your kitchen, you have options. One option that some homeowners are drawn to is stone tile. Made from real stone, this type of flooring has a distinct, natural look that can work well in a lot of kitchens. However, it is not necessarily the perfect flooring for every homeowner. Here are some pros and cons to ponder before you have stone tile installed as your kitchen floor.
Pro: It stands up to foot traffic.
Kitchens are high-traffic areas, and they tend to get a lot of traffic in the same spots, over and over again. Stone tile can stand up to this. Even after many years, it should show less wear than most other flooring options. It is therefore a particularly good option if you have a large family or if you cook more often than usual.
Con: It often needs to be sealed.
Most stone is somewhat porous. As such, your stone tile will need to be sealed to ensure spills do not seep into it. Applying sealer takes time, and the sealer can have an unpleasant odor while it is drying.
Pro: It doesn't collect dust or allergens.
As long as it is sealed, stone tile is easy to clean, which is really important in the kitchen. It will not hold onto dust or allergens. You can sweep up any lightweight debris easily, and you can wipe up spills with a cloth or mop.
Con: It is not easy to install.
If you do go with stone tile, you will want to have it professionally installed. The installation process needs to be completed carefully to ensure the tile sits flat, stays fixed in the grout, and stands up to the rigors of the kitchen. Installation can take several days, and the labor is not cheap.
Pro: It coordinates with many colors.
Most stone flooring has a relatively neutral color. So, if you decide to change the color scheme of your kitchen in a few years, you should not have to change out the floor. Since stone tile is so durable, it should not have to be replaced for functional reasons either.
If you decide that stone tile is the right flooring material for your kitchen, contact a flooring contractor near you. They can help you look over your options and pick a stone tile that coordinates with your space.
You don't always appreciate walking on a smooth, flat surface until you've spent time walking on one that is rough and bumpy. You can try this yourself. Go outside and walk on some gravel, and then come inside and walk over your hardwood floors. You'll enjoy your hardwood floors in a whole new way. In fact, this experiment might inspire you to learn more about flooring. If so, you've come to the right place. This is a blog about flooring, and if you are someone who walks on floors, we promise you'll like the content here. We'll address flooring of many different types.