If you love the look of a stone floor and have decided to install stone in your home, you might be surprised at the various options and varieties that are available. You may not have even realized that there was such a variety and don't realize why some types of stone are often recommended over others. Note a few simple tips for choosing the best stone flooring tiles for your home so you know you are happy with the choice and what's involved in its installation.

1. Granite

One of the appeals of granite is that it's very durable and a very hard rock, so it works well in kitchens and other areas that get a lot of traffic and where the floor might have items consistently dropped on it. Granite also comes in a wide range of colors. The downside to granite is that its density makes it very difficult to cut without the right tools and expertise, so it may be a challenge to install it on your own. You also need to seal granite regularly so that its surface remains strong and the color is not compromised. The material is also very heavy, so you may need to brace up the subfloor, and this can mean added work and expense.

2. Slate

Slate is also a very durable stone that you can use in high-traffic areas, and because the surface has a bit of texture, it's also slip resistant. This makes it a good choice in areas where the floor might get wet, such as the bathroom. Slate is also very heavy, so you might need assistance lifting it into place. It's also not always recommended for outdoor use, as certain climates can cause the stone to dry over time.

3. Marble

Marble floors are a favorite for commercial settings because they're so durable. Marble also has a type of vein that runs through it, which offers a unique color and pattern that you often cannot get with other types of stone. However, marble does need sealing, like granite, and even so, it might be prone to staining from acidic foods like certain juices, tomato paste and sauces, red wine, and the like. It's not always the best choice for busy kitchens because of this, so unless you can be very vigilant about spills, you might stick to using marble in entryways and other areas and choose a different stone or material for the kitchen.

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