Daltile offers porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiles and slabs including medallions glass and metal tiles. Learn More
Natural Stone
Natural Stone Guide
Natural stone flooring has been a symbol of luxury and grandeur since ancient times. From the marble floors of Greek and Roman empires to the polished granite in modern high-end homes, the timeless elegance of natural stone is undisputed. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, stone flooring has a reputation for durability, versatility, and easy maintenance. This comprehensive guide delves into everything you need to know about natural stone flooring, offering insights to help you make an informed decision about your next flooring project.
Types of Natural Stone Flooring
- Marble: Famed for its timeless elegance, marble flooring adds a sophisticated touch to any home. However, its porous nature makes it susceptible to staining and requires regular sealing.
- Granite: Known for its durability and resistance to scratches, granite is ideal for high-traffic areas. Its variety of colors and unique patterns make it a popular choice for custom designs.
- Travertine: A form of limestone, travertine is appreciated for its earth-toned hues and natural, rustic charm. It is relatively soft and requires more care to prevent scratching and staining.
- Slate: A dense and durable material, slate comes in a variety of colors. Its slightly uneven surface provides good slip resistance, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Limestone: This is a popular choice for outdoor areas due to its non-slip surface. Limestone tends to be more porous, so it requires regular sealing.
- Sandstone: Known for its rough texture and granular look, sandstone offers a warm and natural appearance. It's quite porous, so it needs to be sealed properly to prevent damage.
Advantages of Natural Stone Flooring
- Durability: Stone flooring is incredibly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic and wear over time.
- Unique Aesthetic: Every piece of natural stone is unique, resulting in a beautiful, one-of-a-kind floor.
- Value Addition: Installing stone flooring can significantly increase your property's value due to its luxury appeal.
- Easy Maintenance: Most stone floors are easy to clean and resistant to allergens.
Challenges of Natural Stone Flooring
- Cost: Natural stone flooring tends to be more expensive compared to other materials.
- Maintenance: Some types of stone flooring require regular sealing to protect against stains and moisture.
- Hardness: The firm, unyielding surface of stone can be uncomfortable to stand on for extended periods.
Maintenance Tips
- Sealing: Certain types of stone floors, such as marble and limestone, need regular sealing to protect against staining and moisture absorption.
- Cleaning: Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the stone. Instead, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
- Repair: If a tile gets chipped or scratched, it may need professional repair or replacement.
Conclusion
When it comes to sophistication and natural beauty, few materials can match natural stone flooring. While it requires a bit of care and maintenance, the payoff is a durable, luxurious floor that can last a lifetime and significantly enhance your property's value. Consider your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetics to choose the right stone flooring for your home.
Remember, when installing natural stone flooring, it's advisable to consult with a professional installer who understands the unique properties of each stone type to ensure your floor lasts for decades to come.
Natural Stone
Top 16 Types of Natural Stone
 Natural Stone Floors - 158 Granite TileGranite tile offers a sleek, modern appearance, prized for its durability and elegance. Formed from volcanic activity, its unique patterns suit various designs. Resistant to stains and wear, it's a top choice for flooring and countertops. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 153 Marble Tile FlooringMarble tile flooring exudes elegance with its rich veining and unique texture. Known for durability, it adds a touch of luxury to any space. Perfect for homes seeking a classic, timeless look. Easy to clean but requires proper maintenance to retain shine. | Sub Categories: |
 Natural Stone Floors - 432 Travertine TileTravertine is a variety of limestone that is created when heated aquifer waters rise to the surface and leave layers of mineral granules. Over time, these deposits cool and crystallize into travertine. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 154 Slate FlooringSlate flooring offers a unique, natural appearance with its rich color palette and textured surface. Known for durability and slip resistance, it's a popular choice for both interior and exterior spaces, adding a touch of elegance. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 431 Limestone TileLimestone tile flooring offers a natural, earthy appearance with unique textures and colors. Its durability and timeless appeal make it a popular choice for various interiors, blending elegance with functionality. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 510 TumbledstoneTumbledstone tile flooring adds rustic charm with its textured, weathered appearance. Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor areas, its unique pattern enhances any space, providing both durability and elegance. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 535 Mosaic StoneMosaic stone flooring combines small pieces of stone, glass, or other materials to create intricate patterns. This artistic flooring option adds a unique touch to any space, reflecting both tradition and modernity. Learn More | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 501 Sandstone TileSandstone tile flooring offers a natural, rustic appeal with its warm, earthy tones. Its unique texture and grain give a charming finish, making it suitable for both interior and exterior spaces. Durability and style combine in this timeless choice. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 512 Quartzite TileQuartzite tile flooring offers a natural, elegant look with its rich textures and hues. Known for its durability and resilience, it's a popular choice for both homes and commercial spaces. Easy to maintain, it's an attractive option for various interiors. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 159 FlagstoneFlagstone tile flooring offers a rustic and natural look. Known for its durability and unique texture, it is a popular choice for patios and walkways. Each piece is distinct, providing a customized appearance to any space. Learn More | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 532 Onyx TileOnyx tile flooring exudes luxury with its deep, rich colors and unique veining patterns. It's a perfect choice for those seeking an elegant yet bold look. Onyx tiles are often used in upscale homes and commercial spaces. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 502 SoapstoneSoapstone tile flooring offers a rich, natural appeal with its smooth texture and unique veining. Known for its durability and heat resistance, it's ideal for both contemporary and rustic designs. A timeless option for those seeking elegance and function. | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 250 AgglomerateAgglomerate flooring is a composite material made of stone, resin, and other bonding agents. It's known for its durability and versatility, mimicking the appearance of natural stone at a lower cost. Ideal for various interior applications. Learn More | |
 | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 503 FossilstoneFossilstone Flooring combines the timeless beauty of nature with modern craftsmanship. Embedded with ancient fossils, it adds unique character and elegance to any space. Ideal for those seeking a distinctive and durable surface. Learn More | |
 Natural Stone Floors - 504 SerpentineSerpentine Flooring offers an exotic look with its rich, wavy patterns. Durable and unique, it's made from serpentinite rock, often green in color. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance and intrigue to any space. Learn More |
Featured Brands
The Best 7 Natural Stone Brands
Shaw Stone Flooring
Profile | WebsiteShaw's stunning tile & stone collections allow you to unleash your creativity with endless combinations. Designed to mimic the natural textures, like quarried slate, travertine and limestone, these looks embody flooring sophistication. Shaw tile & stone is available in ceramic, porcelain and stone and includes eco-friendly options to meet your various project needs. Learn More
Arizona Tile Natural Stone
Profile | WebsiteSince we have been in the stone and tile business for over 30 years, we frequently are approached by quarries and factories to review new product options. We also continuously travel the world to find new product colors and ideas to offer our customers. Learn More
Questech Tile
Profile | WebsiteQuestech’s use of artistry and innovative materials brings beauty to today’s home with designs that are aesthetically pleasing yet also highly functional. Learn More
Bedrosians® Natural Stone
Profile | WebsiteWhile Ceramic Tile is a man-made product, Marble, Granite, Slate, Limestone and Quartzite are natural products made by Mother Nature. Learn More
Solistone
Profile | WebsiteLos Angeles-based Solistone is one of the largest importers and distributors of fine paving, exterior and decorative stone products in the United States. Learn More
AKDO® Natural Stone
Profile | WebsiteAKDO offers an incredible collection of natural stone tiles, slabs, mosaics and specialty stone in an unrivaled variety of colors and patterns. Learn More
Natural Stone News
Latest Natural Stone News
Pietra Divina...Divine Design Pietra Divina™ sets a heavenly standard for natural stone. Three exquisite marbles feature a color palette that includes white with grey veining, white with warm gold movement, and a marvelous black with delicate white accents. This versatile line offers the popular 4x12 and 12x24 tile sizes as well as a full selection of mosaics available in solid colors and blends. Addit... |
3 Tile Foyer Ideas That Will Make A Lasting First... modern or something in between - then, choose tile that reflects that theme and helps you achieve your design goals. Traditional If you desire a classic look, select natural stone tile, which gives an entryway a modern look with a hint of warmth and style. Slate, marble, quartzite, limestone, and travertine are natural stone tile types that are also available in v... |
Presario Stone Tile...Presario natural stone tile exemplifies beauty. Modern and classic style as one, Persario is available in trendsetting 12x24 and 3x9 sizes and comes in four Moroccan-inspired mosaics... |
The Rochester series...The Rochester series is a beautiful blend of two popular natural stones - limestone and pulpis marble. This natural stone-inspired collection has a stunning authentic look in three neutral colors that provides soft sand-like movement, stunning veining as well as handsome chiseled edges... |
Lavaliere...Lavaliere is a line of decorative, natural stone mosaics that create show-stopping designs for sleek and sophisticated luxury. The collection includes floor and wall mosaics that integrate natural stone with antique mirror and metal elements, unique shapes with architectural movement and geometric visuals with soft lines and dramatic features... |
Daltile's *Peel & Stick* Mosaics Enjoy Strong Sales During Covid...e sheets equipped with peel-and-stick technology for a lasting connection. Installation is two simple steps: peel and stick. No mortar. No grout. So easy anyone can do it. These easy-to-install natural stone mosaic sheets are especially designed for the DIY customer.” “The SimplyStick Mosaix assortment includes marble, limestone, and glass mosaics featured as brick-joint, straig... |
Simple Steps to Maintain Natural Stone...nsive" VSPACE="15" HSPACE="15" align="right" id="mainimage" src="http://www.familyfeatures.com/ContentSectionFileHandler.ashx?id=8325&fieldId=2&datacol=SECTION_IMAGE" /> (Family Features) Natural stone adds elegance and style to any home. With a nearly endless array of colors, textures and designs, it’s easy to create a one-of-a-kind look for your kitchen or bath. However, without prop... |
Natural Stone...Natural stone’s diversity, beauty and elegance has inspired the décor and building traditions of generations. Its geological variety is always in style, and its use in residential and commercial installations is limited only by the creative imagination. Earth-friendly as well as naturally unique, each space reflects personalized flair. ... |
Agglomerate...tone used in the matrix, and is frequently classified as granite, quartz or marble. Agglomerate marble flooring is created by mixing natural marble with a resin. It delivers the aesthetics of natural stone, is more durable and requires less maintenance than natural marble. It is a popular material for flooring and walls in large commercial environments such as shopping centers, hotels, and... |
Travertine Tile...Travertine tile is considered suitable for a variety of architectural styles and is recognized for its timeless beauty. Travertine, a warm honey-colored natural stone quarried for thousands of years, continues to be chosen by some of the world's best-known architects and designers. Because travertine is abundant, weighs less than marble or granite, and is comparatively easy to quarry, it was th... |
Tumbledstone...Just as marble, travertine and other natural stones can be honed and polished to add a touch of refinement, they can also be tumbled and distressed to look more aged. This is the secret behind Tumbled Stone. It's a modern recreation that captures the romantic look of stone from centuries past. Tumbled Stone's weathered surface and seemingly timeworn edges lend an air of rustic elegance to any home... |