NATURAL STONE ADDS BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE TO A HOME,
SO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THE OPTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY.
Stone floors are natural, beautiful, and always stylish. The naturally cool surface is ideal for our warm climate and does not harbor dust or allergens.
For centuries, stone has been found underfoot in dwellings around the world. From the narrow cobblestone streets of Europe to the walkways in Charleston, SC, stone has been laid before us as a pathway as we journey through life.
There are good reasons for stone’s enduring performance as flooring. It is unrivaled in strength and aesthetics. With simple routine care and minimal maintenance, stone’s beauty will grow over the years.
The amount and size of the pores in a stone, referred to as porosity, affects its strength and stain resistance. If you plan to install stone in a high-traffic area, such as a kitchen or family bath, you’ll want to choose a hard, dense nonporous stone, such as granite or slate. The softer more porous stone, like marble, limestone and travertine, require more regular maintenance.
Natural stone comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. As with gemstones, rare colors and patterns cost the most. Stone tiles have the ability to evoke a specific style, therefore you need to know what you look you want to achieve before you start shopping. It’s best to take samples home and live with them for a few days.
Limestone provides a subtle backdrop for those wishing to highlight more prominent elements in their homes. Exhibiting a fairly uniform surface with regard to color, veining and textures, limestone is the ideal choice for a more subdued appearance in a minimalist setting. When limestone is cut from the same slab, it has little color variation from tile to tile. The stone can be sanded perfectly smooth for a refined look or machine-tumbled for a worn look. Creamy whites, golden yellows, beiges and smoky blue/greys are the predominant colors.
Slate can be used to create visually exciting floors. Colors and textures are vivid and earthy, and rugged surfaces are ideal in areas of high-traffic. At home in the foyer, hallway, bathroom and mudroom, this flooring will add appeal to an uninspiring space.
Travertine is an exquisite material that is ideal for instilling an Old World ambiance. Its surface variation can be somewhat more diverse and rugged than limestone. Travertine is usually found in earth tones, beginning with pale ivory and running to rich shades of gold, red and brown. The beauty of travertine is that it never actually appears as one color, but instead is characterized by tonal variations and veining.
Polished and elegant, marble and granite mirror the world around them. These stones evoke more formality. From classic black and white checkerboard patterns to intense dramatic red hues, these stones guarantee an unforgettable statement. Because they can become slippery, a honed or brushed finish will add traction and ease of maintenance. Marble is easily scratched, so ask your stone supplier if marble will perform well for the location you have in mind.
Education is the key for successful stone floors. Do your homework, be realistic about your wants and needs, select what you love, and hire a skilled installer.
Andrea Antunes McGilton is sales manager at Distinctive Granite and Marble, the company founded by her father, John Antunes. Distinctive has showrooms on Hilton Head Island, in River Walk (Okatie), Beaufort and Pooler (Savannah).
By Andrea Antunes McGilton
Photos provided By Distinctive Granite & Marble
