Wood Flooring vs. Stone Flooring

One of the most important aspects in both interior and exterior design is the flooring type that is utilized. The flooring has a crucial effect on the overall design theme, and many homeowners have a hard decision to make when thinking about which material works best for a given situation. Quality floors can be a costly, long term investment, which means it is important to get it right the first time round. While there are many materials that can be used for flooring, we are going to take a look at wood flooring vs. stone flooring in this post.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is a strong, robust material which is desirable to look and feels great to walk on. When the wood material is engineered, its pricing can vary significantly. If you’re considering the installation of a hardwood floor, it is first important to determine where the material has been sourced, as well as the manner in which it has been constructed.

If you’re on a budget, you will need to find a balance between price and quality. Hardwood which is engineered and sourced from Europe will be expensive, but it will also offer excellent construction. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about wood is that nature has designed it in such a way where no two pieces are identical. This means that you are using a material for your floor that is completely unique.

One of the biggest weaknesses to wood, however, is its susceptibility to scratching. Two solutions to this problem are to purchase wood flooring with a polyurethane or oil finish. The poly-urethane makes the floor more resistant to scratching with the caveat that should a scratch happen it will be harder to repair. Scratches that occur to wood flooring with an oil finish are easy to fix, and can always be re-oiled. Many homeowners like oiled finishes because they eliminate the need for sealing or sanding.

Stone Flooring

Stone differs from wood in that it is more porous, and a sealant must be used to saturate it, once it has been fitted. This won’t have any effect on the color, but it is best to seal areas near the hobs at least once annually. The success of stone flooring is largely dependent on the quality of the installation. A solid subfloor must be used for its fitting in order to prevent movement. Because stone in itself is not flexible, any movement which occurs in the subfloor will cause problems with the grouting which will ultimately lead to cracking in the tiles.

Many contractors specializing in stone flooring will recommend underfloor heating too. Because stone conducts heat naturally, underfloor heating is desirable, especially in places that receive cold winters. Overall, underfloor heating also makes stone more comfortable to walk on.

Which Material is Better?

The answer to this question is dependent on where the flooring will be installed. Wood is vulnerable to water and moisture, so it is not the best material for rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen, but is excellent for bedrooms or the guest room. Stone by contrast is an excellent material for the kitchen and bathroom as it can provide a safe surface for foot traffic in water prone areas. Think about your own preferences and needs when you want to choose between the two flooring types. Of course, advice given by a professional flooring company can also go a long way in helping homeowners make an informed decision.

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