When
it’s time to replace your flooring, looking for a tile that is unique and
connects you with nature may not be top on your list. Deciding which type of
tile meets your needs may be more difficult than you expected.
If you
are looking for a tile that is non- polluting, Eco- friendly, and varies in
color and design then look no further. Then stone tile flooring may be your
answer for your floor as well as walls. These tiles are fast becoming floor
material to choose, having been used for thousands of years. Natural stone tile
is dynamic and versatile material that can be used in both traditional and
modern houses. If you are looking for a material that last for ages, and
something that is easy to maintain, than stone tile flooring is the best to opt
for.
Stone
tile flooring gives natural feel to your environment as it refers to a variety
of mountain born materials including:
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| Stone Tile Flooring |
· Marble
· Limestone
· Travertine
· Granite and
· Sandstone.
Each of
these has slightly different properties. It’s important to understand the
characteristics of each type of stone flooring in order to verify whether it is
appropriate for a specific location.
Consider the following factors before you go with stone tile flooring-
Absorption Rating- Absorption rating alludes to how porous a given
material is. The higher the absorption rating, the more likely that a stone
tile will stain and crack during freezing conditions. High absorption stain
tiles do not work for outdoors.
There are 4 levels of absorption
that a tile can have-
- Non- vitreous
- Semi- vitreous
- Vitreous
- Impervious
Non- vitreous- This is the highest absorption level and these tiles
should never be used in damp environments.
Semi- vitreous- While these tiles are
less absorbent, the more liquid they are exposed to and can cause some damage
to the tiles.
Vitreous- This is the
standard absorption level for flooring tiles and these tiles are deemed
functional for low to mid level indoor traffic and some outdoor applications.
Impervious- Impervious absorption
stone tiles are used in high- traffic areas.
Specific Tile Absorption Rates- Generally,
Sandstone is the most porous natural stone material and rarely used in home
flooring.
Grade-
Some retailers use a grading system to rate the quality of
the materials which refers to size, shape and thickness of the tile, also the
condition of its surface. Most grading systems have three levels of quality-
- Grade 1- Includes high quality, uniform constructed stone tiles.
- Grade 2- consists of stone tile that has minor defects such as chips, scratches, scraps and uneven surfaces.
- Grade 3- Materials have major flaws in size, shape, surface, or chipping that detract from the functional and aesthetic nature of the stone tile.
Friction
Coefficient- This measures how slippery stone tiles can get under damp conditions.
The higher the coefficient, the more traction a tile will have. This friction
coefficient is especially important in moist environments such as bathrooms and
kitchens, as well as high traffic commercial areas.
Indoor Vs. outdoor rating- Some natural stone flooring materials are more suited to outdoor
applications. Consider the above factors to conclude whether you can use a
material in an open air environment.
Ultimately, while you purchase natural stone tile flooring material it is
important to do appropriate research and understanding the characteristics of
the materials before you purchase.