KNOW YOUR STONE
The following is a brief description of the world's most sought-after types of stone flooring:
Marble - is composed of sedimentary material pressed together and recrystallized by heat. As the marble gets stressed by the movement of the earth, a variety of minerals inevitably get mixed in, creating striking veins and oftentimes brilliant coloration through-out. A wide variety of colors, and variations within those colors, are available. A high gloss finish is common, providing a very elegant look and feel. While surely one of earth's most beautiful stones, marble also happens to be one of the softest. So you need to be careful or you'll scratch it.
Tumbled marble - is precisely what it sound like: marble that has quite literally been tumbled to give it an antique look. In contrast to the typical high sheen of traditional marble, the finish of tumbled marble is matte.
Granite - is a composition of molten feldspar and quartz. Little speckles provide a much more uniform look than marble. Granite is also a hard stone, so it wears exceptionally well.
Limestone - formed near the earth's surface, limestone is a compressed sedimentary material that naturally comes with a foot-friendly matte finish. Limestone is a popular choice because of its low cost per square foot and because it weathers high traffic well.
Travertine - is a type of limestone that is notable because of the numerous pores and tiny holes you'll find on its surface. Sometimes those holes are filled and then the entire stone is buffed to a high gloss. Travertine provides a very unique, distinctive look.
Slate - a dense derivative of shale, this stone makes an attractive choice for both interior and exterior floors. The stone is split along its layers, giving it an interestingly uneven look. Slate comes in a slew of different colors as well as a number of different types of cut.
SETTLING ON THE RIGHT STONE
As is the case with any floor, your decision about what kind of stone to use will be based upon which material best meets your particular needs. How much traffic the area receives, whether or not you have pets or children, and whether the room is ever used for dining will all have to be taken into consideration. Chances are, though, the volume of traffic in the room will ultimately determine the type and quality of stone you choose.
Fortunately, a cornerstone of the Carpet Exchange approach is not just to have a warm body with a name tag on the sales floor. Our sales staff receives exceptional, extensive, and exhaustive training before ever becoming certified worthy of helping you. So when it comes to selecting the right kind of stone, you'll have a number of bona fide experts to choose from to help you make precisely the right choice.