Natural stone is the only building material that’s been used for thousands of years. It’s worth mentioning that no flooring material is more stylish and luxurious than natural stone. It’s a range of mountain-born minerals that include granite, slate, sandstone, marble, travertine, and limestone. Each of these beautiful minerals has unique properties and is best suited for different construction needs.
This is a reason why you should be well aware of their properties and the grading system used to determine which stone is best for which purpose.
Every type of stone has its advantage, and it’s worth checking before having a project executed. Some benefits of using natural stone include:
- A unique-looking floor because each natural stone has its characteristics.
- Natural stone is seen as a green flooring option.
- Compared to other materials, natural stone is cheaper.
Though the material can be an elegant addition to your household design, just like other materials, it also has some drawbacks. Some of the disadvantages of natural stone flooring include:
- Most natural stones are porous and need to be regularly treated with a sealing agent to protect their surfaces.
- Some natural stones can be very brittle, so they scratch or chip easily.
Natural stone provides elegant touches to your home, providing you with an unsurpassed aesthetics. Also, some factors you should consider when you shop for natural stone are.
Coefficient of Friction. This is the measure of a stone’s level of slip resistance or the probability of slipping. When shopping for stone tilings, any factor that is above the 0.50 mark will provide an average to excellent levels of friction. Conversely, a coefficient below 0.40 will have considerably fewer friction levels.
Absorption Rating.
When looking to get the best flooring New Orleans, you need to consider the stone’s absorption rating. The absorption rating of a natural stone refers to its level of porosity. Natural stones are rated in the following categories:
- Non-vitreous are stones that quickly absorb water and should not be used in a damp environment like bathrooms. They also stain and etch quickly making your tiling appear unclean. Sandstone belongs to this class.
- Semi-vitreous stones are less absorbent but will require maintenance based on the amount of liquid they are exposed to. Limestone, slate, and travertine can be found in this class.
- Vitreous stones have low absorption rates and can be easily maintained. They are the most commonly used materials for high traffic locations. Granite falls within this class.
Indoor and Outdoor Rating. A natural stone’s absorption ratings dictate the ideal location for installation. As such non-vitreous stones with low coefficients of friction will not be great for outdoor applications and vice versa. This is a vital factor when you are looking for the best flooring in New Orleans.
Grade. A natural stone’s grade is based on factors like size, shape, thickness, and surface. They can be graded into Grade 1, 2, or 3. Grade 1 contains stones with high quality and uniform surfaces. Scratches and irregularities in the materials characterize Grade 2 stones, and Grade 3 is the lowest level. This includes stone flooring materials that have irregular shapes, sizes, and surfaces.
The safety and aesthetics of a property’s flooring are essential considerations when looking for a flooring option. It’s more often suggest to contact a flooring specialist before choosing between the types of natural stone flooring.
