Enduring style
Discover the key things to consider when adding a stone floor to your kitchen
ut of all the floors in your home, the kitchen floor has the most demands placed upon it. Needing to be durable, it must be able to cope with constant footfall, tolerate moisture and humidity, and be resistant to stains and spills. Stone may seem like the natural choice but with so many different types and finishes, it can be hard to determine the best option.
Why is stone a good choice for the kitchen?
As it is so hardwearing, stone is great for high-traffic areas. It is also resistant to moisture and humidity so won’t warp. When correctly sealed, it is stain resistant and easy to maintain on a day-to-day basis.
Which type of stone is best for kitchens?
The best stone for your kitchen will depend on the look you want to achieve. For a farmhouse-style kitchen, flagstones are a timeless choice. Limestone tiles are also popular and will add character to your kitchen. Granite, sandstone and slate are versatile materials that can suit a range of kitchen designs and are favoured for their high levels of durability, affordability and relative low maintenance. Marble creates a luxury look and can work in the kitchen; however, it is expensive, will need regular sealing to prevent it from being slippy and it can’t come into contact with acid.
As well as material, also consider colour. A darker stone will be more forgiving of footprints and spills, as will stones with interesting layers, veining, shells and fossils on the surface.
What is the best finish?
There are lots of different finishes for stone floors and each will add a different character to your space. Honed and tumbled are the most popular options for kitchens as they have a matt, flat surface, making them easy to maintain. The main difference between the two finishes is that ‘a honed tile has a square edge which has a contemporary feel, while a tumbled tile has a lightly machine aged edge for a more traditional look,’ says Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore. ‘Avoid a brushed or rivened finish, as they have textured surfaces, meaning that dirt can collect in holes in the surface.’
Does it need sealing?
All stone floors will need to be sealed as this protects the porous surfaces from being damaged by any stains or spillages. This will need to be repeated every four to five years – your supplier will be able to provide recommendations for your stone of choice.
Who should fit my floor?
Regardless of which stone you choose, laying is key. While you may be confident enough to lay a tiled floor yourself, stone is best laid by a professional. ‘One of the most important things is to use a competent and professional natural stone installer. When you are searching for potential installers only ask for quotes from those who are fitting natural stone most of their working week. A porcelain or ceramic specialist tiler who may also fit natural stone on occasion is not recommended,’ advises John Forde, managing director at Beswick Stone. ‘Natural stone is a different beast entirely and you need to employ someone who will not be fazed by the challenges that a natural material has over a manmade factory-produced ceramic tile.’
Is stone compatible with underfloor heating?
Stone floors have a reputation for feeling cold, which is undesirable if your kitchen doubles as a living or dining space. ‘Stone is a conductor and is ideally suited to underfloor heating,’ says Richard.
Slate, granite and limestone are all available in a variety of thicknesses and pair well with underfloor heating.
At what point of the project should the floor be fitted?
You should install a stone floor before fitting a new kitchen. ‘This gives a level base and means that if you move furniture at a later date there is no need to change the floor,’ says Richard.
Will a stone floor add value?
Adding a stone floor to your home brings with it beauty and longevity. ‘A good quality stone floor, which has been installed well and sealed properly, will help to add value to your home,’ says Jason Cherrington, director at Lapicida.