Stone Flooring in the Basement

Costs
Durability
History
Maintenance

Pictures
Popular Basements Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers

References
Related Articles

With no two pieces exactly alike, stone floors are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind. However, on the flip side, stone floors cost more and take more work to maintain. Here is all the information you need to decide if stone is the right choice for your basement.

Costs

While stone flooring is elegant and beautiful, it also has a large price tag to go along with it. Expect to pay $15 to $30 per square foot, depending on the type, quality, and thickness of the stone used.

Pictures

Finished Basement

Pros

Stone flooring comes with the option of granite, marble, limestone, and slate.

It’s extremely durable.

You can find stone flooring in a variety of colors and patterns.

Cons

Stone flooring can be very expensive, cold, and hard on the feet.

Tumbled or honed stone must be sealed frequently, while glossy finishes tend to get slippery when wet.

Your stone flooring should be polished regularly.

Durability

Stone is undeniably one of the most durable flooring options available. All natural stone can easily withstand normal (or even extreme) wear and tear, as long as it has the proper support and installation to avoid problems with loosening and unevenness that can lead to chipping or breaking under pressure.

Maintenance

When it comes to stone floor maintenance, sealing the stone is the number-one priority and should be finished every 12-18 months. This will stop unsightly stains from wreaking havoc on a floor that you paid a lot of money for.

Use a dust mop to remove the debris that tends to pile up over time, and a regular mop with a cleaning solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water to get rid of tougher stains. Never use abrasive cleaners and always dry the flooring afterwards.

Common Questions and Answers

What are the differences between the different types of stone flooring?

One of the most popular stone flooring choices, marble can be highly susceptible to stains if not sealed properly. Granite is probably the most durable option, and is less expensive than marble. Slate isn’t used quite as often as other stone types, and usually comes in darker, more muted color tones. Both limestone and slate tend to attract dirt quite easily.

How much does it cost to seal a stone floor?

Sealant costs, on average, $30-$60 per quart, or around $100-$200 a gallon. Combine that with a cleaner ($10-$40 a quart) and it could cost up to $300 to seal and fully clean a stone floor, depending on the size and how much damage it has sustained.

History

With beginnings that can be traced back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, stone is one of the oldest building materials around. This is, in large part, because of its natural abundance in stone quarries around the world.