FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

Submitted by Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

If you are in the market for natural stone flooring or counters for your home, this brief compilation of stone factoids is going to be very helpful.  Just a little knowledge, before you narrow in on what’s right for you, may point you in the right direction.  You’ve all studied the types of rock the earth renders, but it could be you haven’t had need for that information in a long time.  So here is a brief refresher.

SEDIMENTARY – Igneous rocks make up the majority of the earth’s crust and are covered by a thin veneer of loose sediment. It’s this loose sediment that gets compacted and cemented together to give us sedimentary stone.  Travertine and limestone fall into this category.  Natural, unfilled travertine has tiny holes throughout the surface, indicative of sedimentary formations.  Both travertine and limestone are very porous and will require continuing maintenance to keep them looking their best.  Keep in mind, because they are so porous they are prone to staining so may not be the best choice for countertop applications.  For floor applications, Torrean travertine is less porous and gives a more uniform surface texture.

METAMORPHIC – The metamorphics get their name from “meta” (change) and “morph” (form). Any rock can become a metamorphic rock. All that is required is for the rock to be moved into an environment in which the minerals which make up the rock become unstable.  Extreme temperature and pressure are the catalysts in forming metamorphic rocks and produce stones with exceptional beauty, such as slate, marble and quartzite.

IGNEOUS – Igneous rocks are crystalline solids which form directly from the cooling of volcanic magma. This is an exothermic process (it loses heat) and involves a change from the liquid to the solid state. The earth is made of igneous rock – at least at the surface, where our planet is exposed to the coldness of space.  Granite is an igneous rock and you can tell how near to the earth’s surface (or how deep within the earth) the granite was formed, based on its composition.  Smaller particulates in the granite indicate it was formed closer to the surface.  Larger particulates are the clue that it was formed deep beneath the earth’s crust.  Given the process by which granite is formed, it is an extremely hard stone, second only to diamonds.  It does well for countertops or flooring.

The inherent beauty of natural stone is what draws us to it.  Every piece of granite is a unique work of art.  The unpredictable range of colors in slate makes every installation a masterpiece.  Marble transforms surfaces into statements of timeless beauty.  I’d say Mother Earth wears a mantle of treasures, and it’s always a privilege for us to have a small piece of that treasure grace our homes.

“Each day slowly shapes our lives, as dripping water shapes the stone.”  (Proverbs)

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

By Steve Cooper

Unwelcome guests may be entering your home and damaging your stone floors. Small stones, tiny pebbles, sand and stone-hard grit sneak into your home on the bottom of shoes. These little invaders are your floor’s No. 1 enemies because they can easily scratch and mar elegant-looking stone.

Protect against such attacks by putting up defenses outside your front door. Put down industrial-strength mats with tough ribbing, which encourage visitors to scuff dirt from their shoes before crossing the threshold. Purchase mats that are 4 to 6 feet long, allowing guests ample opportunity to leave grit behind before they enter. Typical 2×3-foot doormats are too lightweight to handle the job. Put them at all entry doors and add a smaller mat inside as an added precaution. The best mats will also absorb significant amounts of water, so that isn’t tracked into your home either.

Having kept most of the worst outside, you also need to keep a close eye on the inside entrance area. Wet mop this area whenever dust, dirt, pebbles or stones collect on the floor. Mopping frequency depends on the amount of foot traffic and how well shoes are cleaned off at the entry. Tackling this as a once-a-week task is common.

When mopping, use a microfiber mop, instead of rayon. The newer material does a much more effective job taking up grit and water. Neutral pH cleaners are recommended for most stone because they will not harm the stone sealer. Remove as much of the water as possible to avoid streaking and clouding. Never use acidic cleaners containing lemon juice, vinegar or ammonia. Also avoid abrasive cleaners. All these may damage stone, particularly the softer varieties such as marble and limestone.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.