Stone flooring is definitely a natural form of floor. But is it always green? Well, that can vary. Which is why it's
important for you to have the right questions in hand to ask your local stone flooring professional. Stone flooring certainly
doesn't have the chemical content of, say, vinyl flooring. But it's very heavy to transport and can
create a hefty carbon footprint with the fossil fuels used in transportation. If you have more questions, or need further
stone floor information, our stone flooring experts by clicking on the Live Chat button at the top of this page.
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Some Good Questions to Ask Your Retailer
Where was this stone quarried?
The farther the quarry is from your location, the more resources were used to transport it. Quarries are commonly found in
Italy, China, Spain, India, Canada, Mexico and the United States. And, of course, the finished tiles also have to be
transported to their place of final installation.
What methods were followed to quarry this stone?
Many quarries follow so called "best practice" methods in order to minimize disruption to the environment and maximize
worker safety – making the stone that's mined greener. Others use techniques similar to strip mining for coal. If at
all possible, choose stone quarried according to best practices.
What finishes have been applied to the stone?
Avoid stone that has been treated with finishes that contain high levels of VOCs*. VOC off–gassing can considerably
affect your home's indoor air quality and, in turn, the health of you and your family. Family members who suffer from
allergies are particularly susceptible to the effects of VOCs.
*VOCs (short for volatile organic compounds) are carbon–based chemical compounds that can be
found in certain flooring materials, adhesives and cleaners.
What are the maintenance requirements?
Some types of stone require regular applications of sealants or polishes. It's wise to avoid these when possible. Of
course, the varieties of stone are numerous and there is, for example, and significant difference between caring for granite
flooring and caring for sandstone flooring. Read more on stone types in the stone section of
FindAnyFloor.com™.
What are the pros and cons of this type of stone floor once it is installed?
There's plenty to consider. How do you clean it and what is it best cleaned with? How does it stand up to wear and tear?
Will it be slippery? Will spills of various kinds damage or stain the floor? Is it a cost–effective flooring choice
given its expected useful life (another thing that you should inquire about)? By taking a look at the Buying Guide in the
stone section of FindAnyFloor.com™, you'll get a better sense of gauging the suitability of the stone floor you have in
mind.
