Natural stone is exactly what its name says it is. A non-man-made, all-natural material straight from Mother Earth! And because of how natural it is, it can work all over your home. So, let's get into the different types, the advantages and disadvantages, and the great ways to include it in your home!
Types of Natural Stone
Travertine
Travertine dates back to 3200 BC in Egypt and has been a popular material ever since. It's an extremely hard, durable material that can stand up to high traffic. And its appearance looks exactly as though it's been around for centuries which makes it a classic, timeless material for your home.
To learn more about travertine, check out our other blog here.
Marble
No matter how much time goes by and how often home décor trends change, one thing will always stay elegant—marble tile. It's the leader of natural stone and has been the go-to building material since the dawn of civilization. There are many different, beautiful variations with inconsistent veins that make it so unique. It's also nice and dense which makes it a good choice for high-traffic spaces.
To learn more about marble tile, check out our other blog here.
Granite
Granite is an igneous rock formed under very high heat and has a crystalline structure instead of a layered structure like heavy, dense rock. Tile that's made from it is quite dense, giving it a similar strength as porcelain tile. It's a great choice for flooring and counter tops.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a beautiful natural stone material that's popular for its distinctive style. It mimics the look of beach and desert sand (hence the name, sandstone) with the reds, golds, browns and tans it comes in. These tones can add the perfect decorative touch to a room.
Slate
Slate is a sought-after material that has functional qualities. It's one of the strongest natural stones that has a distinct durability that makes it resistant to cracks, scratches, breaks and chips. It's also available in a variety of colors that will help enhance the design of any space it's used in, naturally of course.
Advantages
There are many practical, yet beneficial reasons why natural stone is a good choice for your home:
- Each piece is a unique creation straight from Mother Earth, which helps make your space unique and one-of-a-kind
- Natural stone is also raw and eco-friendly.
- It's also known to be durable and easy to maintain.
- The natural porosity offers noise insulation which will help your home feel calm and serene.
Disadvantages
Like any material, there are some drawbacks, too:
- Even though the porosity helps reduce noise, it's not a totally stain-proof material. Each type of natural stone has a different absorption rate. Sandstone is the most porous natural stone. Travertine and slate have a medium absorbency level, while granite is relatively closest to being waterproof.
- Some of the polished natural stone, like marble, can scratch very easily
- Also, some are very brittle and will chip easily
Places/Ways to Use Natural Stone
Fireplace
Cozying up to a natural stone tile on a cold, winter night is like romantic bliss! Even if you already have an existing fireplace, adding this tile with its timeless look, sturdiness and high resilience to high temperatures, will add beauty and value to this focal point of your space.
Backsplash
Backsplashes can provide an instant opportunity to create a statement in your kitchen. And using natural stone for your kitchen backsplash is not only functional, but can add an element of pure elegance to the space.
Feature Wall
Whether you want to install a feature wall in the dining room, bedroom, family room or bathroom, natural stone is a beautiful choice. The natural stone options for this type of installation are rather limitless as feature walls don't tend to be subject to the same wear and tear as other surfaces.
Showers
Another perfect place to use natural stone is in the shower. With today's bathroom trends leaning towards a fully tiled walk-in shower, natural stone can transform an otherwise functional space into a spa-like retreat. However, it does need some extra special care when used in a shower, like using a sealant on it since it's a very porous material. Asking one of our design experts on what the best sealant to use and how often it should be refreshed will help you better understand.
Flooring and Walkways
The next popular place to use natural stone is flooring and walkways. Natural stone floors are beautiful, incredibly strong and extremely long lasting. In fact, they are one of the only flooring materials that can be used both indoors and outdoors with ease. Now it's clear why the most ancient structures built with natural stone are still standing centuries later!
So, no matter how you use it, in the end, with natural stone you'll be able to design a peaceful retreat space that'll have you feeling at one with nature.
At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!
Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.
If you have any questions, please email us.
