Flooring is something that adds style and beauty to your home as it’s an important part of your residence. The flooring provides a polished, clean, long lasting, water-resistant and stunning surface. Depending on your budget, way of living and tastes, pick up the one that is perfect for you or the one that meets your needs.
There are a number of flooring options available: wood, vinyl, tiles, timber and bamboo. Wood plank and natural stone plank are the flooring materials that have been used from ancient times. When we compare between wood plank and natural stone plank then we have to understand one thing i.e. every coin has its two sides the same as with these flooring. Wood planks and natural stones planks have their own advantages and disadvantages. To make it easy for you to choose between them we are here to brief you about these two floorings.
What is wood plank flooring?
Wood plank flooring is made of timber and is available in various styles and shades. The wood plank is available in a variety of species that includes Oak, Maple. Cheery, Walnut and Golden heart pine.
Benefits:
- Denser and long lasting
- Easy to maintain
- Installation of wood planks takes less time
- Its timeless beauty adds value to you home
Where to use wood plank flooring?
- Living rooms
- Office
- Dining rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kitchen
So now when you have understood about wood plank flooring. We will move forward with natural stone plank flooring.
What is Natural Stone Plank Flooring?
Natural Stones were formed over millions of years ago which were a beautiful gift to us by mother earth. They are also man made, formed by combining substances and chemicals.
Benefits:
- Easy care & Low maintenance
- Natural beauty & add warmth
- Powerful & long lasting
- Easy to clean
Where to use natural stone plank flooring?
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Hallways
- Living Areas
Availability of natural stone planks and wood planks is easy and cost effective so everyone can afford them from lower class to middle class economy. The debates between them have been going on for many years so we are here to help you out in exploring which one will be best for you.
Wood Plank Vs Natural Stone Plank Flooring : Difference
- On the basis of availability:
- There is no doubt in saying they both are made of natural material. Wood planks are made up of natural woods while natural stones are formed from natural stones.
- Woods are available in various types and can be found in every corner of the world depending upon climate condition, soil and other factors that help in growing the trees. While natural stones are formed beneath the earth’s surface, the combination of heat and pressure helps in the formation of these stones. As a result we get stones like granite, slate, limestones, sandstones and many more.
- Cutting and transporting of woods is easy so they are easily available all over the world. On the other hand, cutting and supplying of natural stones is not easy but due to advancement in technologies it is easy to transport them across the globe via air or water ways.
2. On the basis of cost:
- Price of natural stones keeps on changing because of factors like season, suppliers and locations etc. Take an example of marble, so marble is much costlier than slate or sandstone but they are long lasting than any other flooring materials. On the other hand the cost of wood plank flooring fluctuates depending upon the quality of material being used, surface area and the labour rate.
3. On the basis of properties:
- Durability: Natural stones are much more durable than wood flooring. Natural stones are soft and are scratch resistant and hence can survive hundreds of years. While wood flooring can last long if maintained properly and should be kept away from moisture.
- Moisture absorption: Keep woods away from moisture as they absorb water more rapidly than stones and are not meant for wet areas. On the other hand all natural stones are less absorbent, except granite.
- Scratch resistance: Wood flooring is low scratch resistance as compared to stones.
- Resistance to straining: Stone has good resistance to staining as compared to wood only when sealed properly.
- Resistance to atmospheric pressure: No atmospheric conditions can affect natural stones but woods experience shrink in winter and grow in summer.
- Slip resistant: Stones can be slithery when they are wet while woods are less slithery.
- Flame resistant: It’s a fact that wood catches fire easily but natural stones are fireproof.
4. On the basis of appearance:
- Wood flooring gives your residence a natural and vintage beauty. On the other hand Natural stones give your residence a modern and classy look.
5. On the basis of materials:
- Wood flooring is divided into softwood and hardwood. As hardwood itself reflects that it is made of something which is very hard like maple, oak, walnut etc. On the other hand Natural stone is a rock which is very strong so it is made of calcites and silica.
6. Installation:
- Installation of wood planking is easy as compared to stones as they are heavy.
7. Care & Maintenance:
- Wood flooring demands more care and maintenance as compared to stones as they require less maintenance.
8. On the basis of uses:
- Wood Plank Flooring:
- It is used in areas like living rooms, study rooms, playrooms etc.
- It is also used in exterior areas like balcony and terrace.
- Natural Stone Plank flooring:
- It can be used in both areas i.e. interior and exterior.
- Stones like marbles and granite are used in kitchen countertops, doors and window frames.
- Stones like sandstones, slates and limestones are used for outdoor areas of your home.
9. On the basis of disadvantages:
- Wood Plank Flooring:
- Expensive
- Need to be re-polished
- Need extra care
- Natural Stone Plank flooring:
- Slippery when wet
- Low resistance
- Remain cold in cold climate
Conclusion: We have now seen that natural stone plank flooring are superior in many places than wood plank flooring. Natural stone plank is an ideal choice for you as it will help you in making your home look stunning, classy and eye-catching. Therefore, if you’re hunting for high-quality natural stone for residential or commercial applications, look no further. Connect with Stone Footing, a natural stone distributor recognised for providing high-quality natural stones.
