Homeowners who install natural stone kitchen floors are likely to achieve a new level of distinctive beauty in their homes. If properly maintained, natural stone floors can easily last for several years, which is why they are recommended for any home. In this guide, we’ll outline the basic steps and helpful points that will help you get the most out of your natural stone-finished kitchen floor.
The Right Type of Stone
When preparing to have the natural stone kitchen floor, there is a need to make sure that you consider the right type of stone to use. A few of the types of natural stones to use are granite, marble, limestone, travertine, and slate. There include durability, colour and grain pattern that is distinct for the specific type of stone and may affect the appearance and the general ease of maintaining the structure.
Granite: Granite is an excellent tile material for the kitchen since it is scratch, stain, and heat resistant. It is also offered in an appealing variety of colours and motifs, making it ideal for creating your preferred kitchen look.
Marble: Marble is also common in choosing flooring for the kitchen because of the attractiveness, elegance, and reasonable price. It is less hardy than granite and easier to scratch or stain and harder to clean.
Limestone: Limestone has a rough look, the color is not always same, Marble is harder than limestone and has a glossy finish. It can be easily bent to shape and spliced which makes it ideal for accommodating complicated patterns. It is not as hard as granite or marble, making it liable to etching and staining, and must thus be sealed to keep up its shine.
Travertine: This type of limestone is found in regions with mineral marks on them and is characterized by a pitted surface texture, which is good for most designs, both classic and contemporary. Like limestone, travertine has to be sealed and thus has to be resealed from time to time so that it is not stained easily or scratched.
Slate: Slate is a tough and heavy stone that provides an interesting range of both colour and grain. It is very hard wearing on a detailed level, and it does not scorch, stain, or scratch easily – ideal for a house with many visitors. It may also be slightly more difficult to install as well as might need a professional input.
The correct method of installation
For your natural stone kitchen floor to look great and last long, make sure that installation of the floor is correct. Before laying the tiles, it is recommended the ground is flat and ready for use, and fissures are fixed. When it comes to sealants use good quality sealant for natural stone tile don’t use cheap imitation as it may cause issues with near future.
For better outcomes though, one should seek the services of a specialist in installation of natural stone kitchen floor. They can also advise you on the right kind of grout and sealant to use in order to prevent your stone from getting spoiled.
Sealing and Maintenance
Cleaning natural stone floors often ensures they stay in good shape. Depending on the type of stone and usage, a quality stone sealer should be used on the floor every few years. It will also prevent stains, scratches, and damages when they come in contact with the wearing surface. Always ensure to reseal the stone because you will realize that the sealer wears off after some time.
It is recommended that you clean your stone on a regular basis to ensure you keep the appearance of the surface and extend its life span. Recommended is to sweep the floor with a soft broom or a micro fiber dust mop every day. These may be used on a more rigorous cleaning, such as a pH-neutral stone cleaner or warm water with mild detergent. Never use acidic/vinegar-based cleaners, dusting powders, scorers gear pads and steam cleaners on the stone floor.
Protecting Your Stone Floor
Perhaps there are some additional measures you might take in order to protect your natural stone kitchen floor. Use mats or rugs at the doors to prevent bringing these materials into the rooms, and they end up scratching the stone surface. Put some felt pads at the feet of furniture and heavy appliances so they don’t scratch the floor when you move them around. As much as possible, do not drag any large pieces of furniture when attempting to relocate them; instead, always lift them off the ground.
Repairing Chips and Cracks
Even if your natural stone kitchen floor was installed correctly and has been well maintained, you may see some chips or cracks. If this happens, it is necessary to fix the condition right away — otherwise, the condition will get worse. Finishing off small chips can be well done by covering the area with epoxy or stone filler then polishing accordingly. In some cases, the area which was dampened is considerably damaged and may need a professional stone repair, therefore contact a specialist.
Professional cleaning and maintenance
But naturally at certain points you would still need the professionals to full clean and restore the natural stone kitchen floor to keep that professional polished impression. Expert advice and assistance from professional stone cleaners may be called in to clean out stubborn and penetrating stains; polish the stone surface; and reseal the stone to increase its attractiveness and durability.
