The Pros and Cons of Limestone Floors

Limestone is a natural stone product that is cut into slabs and is generally advised to be used for flooring. It is a sedimentary rock that primarily consists of calcium carbonate and sometimes things like corals. It is traditionally used in flooring and other durable surfaces. With so much emphasis on flooring, it is also important to note that limestone flooring comes in a variety of shades, textures and colours. In terms of beauty, few things match the stunning elegance and appearance of natural stone, and limestone is no exception. It also only requires a medium amount of maintenance, mainly in cleaning and in repairing deep scratches.
 
The Advantages
 
There are many advantages of limestone floors. As referenced above, limestone offers a beautiful , earthy, rustic and timeless look that comes in a variety of colours, shades and textures to meet the needs of any home. It also delivers mostly low maintenance upkeep. When you compare cost and value of other natural stone products, it is hard to argue that there is a better stone flooring option than limestone. With its natural look, it matches nearly all furniture and décor in a room. It also makes for a great flooring option for warm rooms, as it adjusts to varying temperatures quite well – delivering a good feeling on the feet in a cold room, and soothing coolness in a warm room. In truth, with proper maintenance, limestone has the potential to last many decades.
 
The Disadvantages
 
Like all materials, there are some drawbacks to limestone flooring. The biggest drawback to the material is that it is a slightly soft stone, which makes it susceptible to some damage. Scratches are easily repaired, and due to the earthy tones are hidden very well. You should also be aware that limestone should generally be sealed to prevent any stains from entering the porous nature of the stone.
 
The Cost
 
As previously mentioned, the cost of limestone floors is much less than other natural stone products which make it ideal for someone seeking the beauty of stone and an introductory price. The cost of limestone including installation can be about 50% that of other stones like marble or granite. Also for a floor, granite is often overkill, and marble requires significant maintenance. The fact is, limestone is the perfect mix of durability, maintenance, cost and beauty.
 
If you are looking to invest in your home by doing a flooring upgrade, one of the first materials you should look at should be limestone. It combines many great benefits, with only minor drawbacks to create a flooring option that is perfect for many applications. Coming in a variety of colours, tones and textures, limestone is versatile and truly beautiful. It costs much less than other natural stone products and delivers results akin to the more expensive kinds. Overall, limestone is an ideal investment for your home.