Stone Tile Flooring vs. Ceramic Tile Flooring

The two most common types of ceramic floors are ceramic tile flooring and stone tile flooring.

Ceramic tiles are made from a mix of clay, covered with a glaze, and baked at high temperatures for strength. The finish of ceramic is non-porous. It is a shiny glaze that is achieved through a high temperature baking at the end of the tile making process. Therefore, ceramic tile is less prone to staining than is stone flooring. The hard glossy finish you see on ceramic tiles makes them difficult to stain. This is one good reason why ceramic tiles are often installed inside showers and countertops. Ceramic tiles are strong, decorative, and easy to keep clean which is why they are as popular as they are.

The biggest part of cleaning ceramic tile flooring will be keeping the grout clean over time. It is never a good idea use waxes on these floors. You may often use harsh cleaners on many ceramic tile products because of the non-porous finish. Ammonia, bleach, and harsh cleaners that must be avoided with stone tiles can often be used on ceramic tiles.

Stone flooring is beautiful with many varying manufacturers, designs, and materials from which to choose. The most popular types of stone tile flooring include the following types:

* Travertine

* Granite

* Limestone

* Slate

* Marble

Color, pattern, and style will vary from stone to stone and manufacturer to manufacturer. The patterns and vein of the stone will be unique in each stone. In this way, stone is more of unique flooring than ceramic tile flooring.

Natural stone tiles are just what the name says. They have been harvested from the earth and cut into a shape for use in your home or place of business. They are less uniform than other stone tiles that are mass produced. Therefore, it is takes more consideration when planning a natural stone tile installation project. When you choose to install natural stone flooring you must remember to pay close attention to the maintenance instructions. Because is natural stone flooring is porous, it takes a different maintenance approach to keeping natural stone in its top form. Never use harsh ammonia or bleach based cleaners on natural stone flooring. Even a solution of vinegar and water will eventually fade the color of your natural stone. Take proper care by following the manufacturers’ regular floor maintenance directions and sweeping and dry mopping the floors regularly. Keeping dirt and grit off of the porous stone will be the best thing you can do. Remember, with flooring, preventative maintenance is the key.

Are you planning to install ceramic tile flooring in your home or place of business? Are you planning to install stone tile flooring? Are you unsure of which type of tile flooring you would like to install in your home? Request a free quote from multiple tile flooring contractors in your local area. Talk to multiple contractors to get a variety of opinions and prices for the project. They will be able to offer their own professional experiences on the topic and also provide you with the pricing you need to make the right decision. Get your tile flooring installation started today with Flooring ExpertsUSA!