Stone floors are an elegant, timeless choice for nearly any space. Natural, beautiful, and always stylish, stone has long been the go-to flooring material in warm climates and high-end interiors alike. Beyond aesthetics, stone is long-lasting, relatively easy to maintain, and works exceptionally well with underfloor heating systems. For those sensitive to dust or allergens, stone is also one of the cleaner choices available.
Stone flooring spans a wide range of price points, making it accessible for most budgets without sacrificing the look and feel that makes it so compelling.
Not all stone performs the same way in every environment. Here is what to know about the most common options:
Granite is the hardest and densest construction-grade stone available. It can be polished smooth, honed flat, or left in a naturally gauged finish. Granite is one of the most durable flooring materials you can choose and is among the least porous, often requiring little to no sealing.
Slate is a rustic classic with natural character. Available in a wide range of irregular shapes and typically found in dark gray, soft red, and medium green tones, slate is nearly as hard as granite and resistant to cracks and breaks. It can be prone to edge chipping and, like most stones, should be chemically sealed after installation with periodic reapplication for best results.
Limestone offers moderate density and strength with a naturally porous surface that requires sealing. It tends to weather gracefully over time, taking on an aged, antique quality that suits both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Sandstone is among the most porous stone options and requires multiple applications of both a penetrating sealer and a surface sealer on a regular maintenance schedule. Sandstone is generally not recommended for humid or wet environments.
Engineered Stone combines a high percentage of natural stone, such as limestone, with other resilient materials. It offers the character and longevity of natural stone and porcelain while feeling warmer and softer underfoot. A strong alternative for spaces where comfort matters as much as aesthetics.
Stone installation requires more technical preparation than most other flooring types, and getting the details right from the start protects your investment for years to come.
The substrate matters enormously. The surface on which the stone tile is laid must be properly prepared to support the weight and thickness of the material. Because stone can be thicker than other flooring surfaces, a transition strip between your new stone floor and adjacent areas may also be needed.
Sealing is another critical conversation. Today’s advanced sealers work differently than older products. Rather than simply coating the surface, they fill the spaces between the crystals and minerals within the stone itself, creating stronger resistance to water and stains from the inside out. Stone floors in low-traffic areas, or nonporous varieties like granite, may not require sealing at all. Your ACS installation team will walk you through the right approach for your specific material and setting.
For a broader look at preparation steps that apply to any flooring type, see our resource article: What to Do Before a Flooring Installation
Getting Ready for Your Installation? Download our free Preparing for Your Installation Guide and make sure everything is in order before your ACS team arrives.