Natural stone flooring is a luxurious option that includes various types such as slate, marble, and granite, each with distinct properties. Key factors to consider when purchasing include absorption rating, grade quality, coefficient of friction, and outdoor suitability, as well as potential drawbacks like porosity and susceptibility to chipping. Despite maintenance needs, natural stone is valued for its unique aesthetic and eco-friendly characteristics if sourced locally.

1. GUIDE TO NATURAL
STONE FLOORING

2.  Among flooring materials, none is more elegant
and luxurious than natural stone. The term
"natural stone" refers to a variety of mountain-
born mineral substances that stand in contrast
to any synthetic or manufactured stone
products. Common natural stone flooring
includes slate, marble, limestone, travertine,
granite, and sandstone—each of which has
slightly different properties. It's important to
understand the characteristics of the type of
stone flooring tile you are purchasing in order to
determine whether it is appropriate for a specific
location.

3. AS YOU SHOP FOR NATURAL STONE TILES,
THESE ARE THE FACTORS THAT YOU SHOULD
QUESTION RETAILERS ABOUT:
 Absorption Rating
 The absorption rating refers to how porous a
given material is. The more absorbent it is, the
more susceptible it will be to stains, as well as
cracking damage when subjected to freezing
conditions. Natural stones vary greatly in their
absorption rates, with sandstone being the most
porous to granite, which is virtually waterproof
even when left unsealed. Absorption rate will be
classified according the following terms:

4.  Non-vitreous: This is the highest absorption
level. In most cases, non-vitreous tiles
should not be used in any damp
environment.
 Semi-vitreous: While these tiles are less
absorbent, the more liquid they are exposed
to, the more maintenance they will require.

5.  Vitreous: This is the standard absorption
level for flooring tiles and these materials are
generally considered appropriate for most
low to mid traffic indoor and outdoor
applications.
 Impervious: These materials are resistant to
the absorption of liquids and thus will be
easier to maintain. They are often used in
high-traffic commercial applications.

6.  In general, sandstone is the most porous
natural stone material. Travertine, limestone,
and slate have medium absorbency, while
granite is relatively waterproof.
 Polished materials also absorb less water
than honed or cleft surfaces.​

7. GRADE
 Some retailers use a grading system to rate the
quality of materials. This can refer to the size,
shape, and thickness of the tile, as well as the
condition of its surface. Most grading systems
have three levels of quality.
 Grade 1 refers to high quality, uniform materials.
 Grade 2 consists of materials with minor
defects, such as chips, scratches, or irregular
surfaces.
 Grade 3 materials have major flaws in size,
shape, surface, or chipping, making them
appropriate only as accent pieces, or in certain
rustic decorative applications.

8. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
 This measures how slippery various
materials are. The higher the coefficient, the
more traction a tile will have. This number is
especially important in moist environments
such as bathrooms and kitchens, as well as
high- traffic commercial areas. The
Americans with Disabilities Act requires that
flooring material has a minimum of a
.6 dryness coefficient.

9. INDOOR VS. OUTDOOR RATING
 Some natural stone flooring materials are more
suited to outdoor applications than others. Many
of the factors above will determine whether a
material should be used in an open air
environment.
 Non-vitreous materials will be subject to staining
through dirt and acid rain, as well as cracking
when absorbed materials freeze and expand.
Stones which have a low coefficient of friction
will also pose a slipping hazard during rain and
snow storms.

10. OXIDATION
 Natural stone materials are formed beneath
the earth over millions of years, and often
contain a variety of disparate elements.
Sometimes iron is present in these materials,
which can manifest as bright red and amber
hues in the surface of the stone. The problem
in an outdoor environment is that those
traces of iron can oxidize, a process more
commonly known as rusting. This can cause
the entire tile to degenerate over time.​

11. BENEFITS OF USING NATURAL STONE FLOORING
 There are many aesthetic and practical
reasons why natural stone flooring can be a
good choice:
 Each piece of stone is a unique creation of
the earth, making every flooring application
one of a kind. Every floor is entirely unique.

12.  The mountain-born qualities of the stone can
help to give living spaces a direct and eternal
connection to the natural world, unlike any other
building material.
 While there is some debate about the ecological
impact of quarrying and transporting stone
materials, the tiles themselves are natural,
nonpolluting, eco-friendly pieces. Purchasing
stones which were acquired locally can cut
down on the environmental impact of transport.

13. DRAWBACKS OF USING NATURAL STONE
FLOORING
 There are also some drawbacks to the use of
natural stone:
 With the exception of granite and some slate,
natural stone is quite porous and needs to be
treated with a sealing agent periodically to
protect its surfaces.
 Some polished materials such as marble can
scratch easily.

14.  Some stones are also very brittle and will chip
easily.
 When purchasing natural stone flooring
materials it is important to do your research and
understand the characteristics of the material
you are purchasing. Find out whether it is
appropriate for your specific application and how
much maintenance it will require. Ask your
retailer multiple questions, and get to know the
material as much as you can before you make a
purchase.

15. NATURAL STONE FLOORING
 Natural Stone TR. L.L.C
Sharjah
P.O.Box. 69128
United Arab Emirates
+971 6 5741607
+971 564081731
contactus@naturalstoneuae.com