At Burgess Reclamation, we offer a variety of reclaimed stone flooring options to add the natural beauty of stone to our customers’ homes. We provide york flagstone, quarry tiles, brecon grey tumbled stone and more – so there’s an option to suit just about all styles and tastes. We’ve put together this guide to provide some basic knowledge to anyone considering laying stone flooring.
How long does stone flooring last?
When properly maintained, stone flooring can last for decades, even a century, and remain in good condition – and its relatively low maintenance. Your flooring’s lifespan does, however, depend on the type of stone you’ve chosen, along with how much wear it’s getting.
Limestone, granite, marble, slate, and travertine are all popular choices for flooring, particular in the kitchens of period homes, as they add an element of elegance to the room.
Does stone flooring need any special treatment?
When applied to stone flooring, sealer protects it against stains and corrosion, and makes it easier to clean.
Before applying sealer, the stone flooring should be swept and mopped thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Sealer should then be applied liberally, and left to sit on the surface for 10 minutes. This will allow it to penetrate the stone. Once this time limit has passed, wipe off any excess sealer with a towel.
Sealant will need to be re-done at least every two years, although we’d recommend re-doing it yearly if you know your flooring is getting a lot of wear.
Is stone flooring cold? and can you heat it?
Stone flooring tends to feel cold on your feet as it conducts heat away from the body. Underfloor heating can solve this problem if your stone floor is in a cold environment, (such as the UK for most of the year!). There are two types of underfloor heating: electrical systems or water systems. Once you’ve chosen the right kind for you - underfloor heating will allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a stone floor, without getting chilly feet.
Is stone flooring easy to lay?
It’s a widespread belief that stone flooring is difficult to lay, but in reality, it is no harder than laying ceramic tiles – so anyone with minimal DIY skills can likely successfully lay stone flooring.
What happens if a stone cracks or breaks?
If a crack appears in your stone tile, it should be repaired to stop it from widening further. To do this, cracks should be cleaned, then grout or tile caulk can be used to fill them up. It’s important to use a filler that’s a similar colour to the stone – to avoid inadvertently making the cracks more obvious. Once the cracks are filled, you can then select the correct finish, whether that’s matte, polished etc, to ensure your crack is as indecipherable as possible.
We think that stone flooring adds an element of sophistication to homes both period and modern, and should be seriously considered as an alternative to wood or tiles.
Browse our range of stone flooring options to find the one best suited to your home.
