Nothing can wreak havoc on floors like kids and pets. If you have either, it’s important to choose a flooring material that’s durable and long-lasting. Luckily, natural stone checks both of those boxes — despite what you might have heard about stone floors being nothing but hard and cold.
Some types of stone hold up better to wear and tear than others. Here are a few types of stone to consider, and a few to avoid.
Use these: Slate, granite, quartz
Slate, granite, and quartz are all fairly scratch resistant and slip resistant. This will keep paws and little hands happy. You won’t need to worry about your kids playing on the floor, or about your pets slipping if they are playing along with the kids.
Granite in particular also holds up well to the acidity of pet urine. Sealing the floor makes things even better. Still, it’s important to clean up accidents as soon as they happen to prevent long-term damage to the floor.
Between these three types of natural stone, there are plenty of options to meet your budget and your sense of style. They will also add to your home’s value when it comes time to sell.
Marble, travertine, sandstone
While slate, granite, and quartz are hard and durable stones, marble, travertine, and sandstone are much softer and not a good idea if you have pets or kids. They are also much more prone to stains and can be damaged quickly by spills or accidents.
Just because these stones are not a good fit for the kitchen floor doesn’t mean you need to leave them out of the room entirely. Consider marble countertops or a travertine backsplash to take in the beauty and elegance of these stones in a way that is more suited to your household’s needs.l
