The Pros and Cons of Limestone Flooring
Natural stones are indeed a big hit when tiling the floor of any room. Limestone is one of the most prominent choices, thanks to its advantages. To start with, the limestone flooring looks great and is also quite durable. Furthermore, the flooring also has some limitations, but you don’t need to stress as you can get all the details here.
First of all, you need to start understanding the rock itself. Limestone is made from calcium carbonate, which is a sedimentary rock. When coral shells and algae are crystallised from water, the stone is formed naturally. Ideally, it occurs organically when sea animals extract calcium carbonate in lukewarm waters to make shells and bones.
Pros of limestone flooring
Pricing
Limestone flooring is relatively cheaper compared to stones like marble and granite. Therefore, you will find limestone in different price ranges when looking for other stones in the market. The only reason why limestone is quite affordable is that it is pretty challenging to maintain, and it gets stained easily. But several people choose the limestone for various reasons.
Durability
You must know that if a stone is cheap, it doesn’t mean that it will last for the rest of your life as these are not some sweatpants you bought off the street. However, limestone has the potential to last a long time thanks to the mineral composition provided you take care of the stone. It is often described as a soft stone, but it has also proven to the test of time.
Beautiful
Limestone is your go-to option if you are looking for a natural stone for your flooring but within a budget, and it must look good at the same time. It is very different from natural stones like granite and marble as it does not feel sterile. The flooring will add a warm aura to your room and can come in various rainbow colours like beige paying Blues, grey ivory white, which makes them look layered. You might also spot the fossil of a marine animal if you are lucky, which will add to the aesthetics. Limestone is your go-to option whether you are looking for a rustic look or an elegant contemporary interior style.
Eco friendly
There is no better feeling than knowing that your construction renovation materials are not harming the planet and eco-friendly is another point why people choose this stone over others. You will also be happy to know that the stone is not explosive if you are a chain smoker. Furthermore, it aligns with the environmental regulation as even the commercial slabs do not contain harmful chemicals. When it is time to give up, you can also quickly dispose of the natural stone.
Versatility
Limestone is also known as a soft stone because it can be an asset as it can be cut in different dimensions, and we used it in various contexts from the living room to the bathroom. It also works well on the walls, just like it looks good on the floor. You can also use it as a countertop in your kitchen. But you must know that even a steady footfall can damage the stone.
Cons of using limestone flooring
It needs a lot of maintenance
Limestone is not quite durable when compared to granite and marble. It is a reasonable choice when compared to vote and vinyl, but of course, you need to take good care of it. Furthermore, opera stone can get stained quickly, so you need to ensure that you see let to keep it looking good in the long term. It would be best if you also considered the maintenance factor more than other types of flooring materials. Experts suggest that you seal the surface from time to time to enhance longevity. The good news here is that the natural stains on the limestones can hide the colours that are caused due to any reason.
Weight
No doubt limestones look very interesting, but the vast tiles are pretty heavy, and you need to consider the weight of that flooring. The heaviness also makes transportation and installation challenges.
Softness
It is a porous stone and can easily chip then the natural stones where there is a lot of foot traffic. It is the only reason it is not preferred for commercial kitchens in hallways. You must seal and treat the tiles regularly to save them tiles from damage.
Fragility
Even though limestone is cost-effective but it is more fragile. If you plan to install the limestone in your bathroom, you must know that it can withstand limited traffic, so you need to be quite careful while installing heavy elements.
Hence these are the pros and cons of limestone flooring. You must consider these factors if you are planning to install limestone flooring. At Stone Footing, the leading wholesaler of Limestone paving stone in the UK, we provide our customers personalized choices based on thicknesses, shape, and appearance.