When choosing outdoor flooring like outcropping stone near me in the countryside, stone is a great ally: it is a natural, elegant, traditional, and sustainable material, as well as easy to maintain. These are your secrets.
After having put on the table the ten most important questions to consider a wooden floor for our home, we return to do the same with stone and the advantage of choosing it as a material for outdoor flooring.
1 Why Choose Stone Floors?
It stands out for its resistance to the elements and almost zero maintenance. The wide variety of stones, colors, and finishes allows you to choose the best option without the possibility of being wrong, depending on the climate and the landscape. In addition to being a natural product with indisputable advantages (beauty, elegance, or durability), its validity is guaranteed by its use since time immemorial.
2 Which Are The Most Used?
Granite, for its hardness and good behavior in humid environments. Limestone is highly appreciated in contemporary architecture for its luminosity. Sandstone, for its sandy appearance, range of colors, and resistance to wear. Slate, for being waterproof and for the elegance of its dark tones. Marble, for its aesthetic value and durability. Quartzite, for its resistance to temperature changes.
3 What Stone To Choose According To The Climate?
Sandstone and limestone are a good choice in warm areas because they do not retain heat. It is advisable to use waterproof and non-slip stones, such as granite and slate, or with a bush-hammered finish to improve adhesion in rainy climates. In frost areas, which deteriorate the stone, the least porous ones are suitable: granite, marble, quartzite, or slate.
4 What Formats Can You Find?
Of all types, regular or irregular, from mosaic tiles to large 1.20 m x 1.00 m tiles. The standard is 60 cm x 40 cm or 60 cm x 60 cm. Large sizes are associated with modern designs and tend to have high prices. The format must be appropriate to the use of the pavement. A paving stone resists the passage of vehicles, while river stones are pleasant to walk on a garden path.
5 What Stone To Choose For Each Area?
Limestone and sandstone are recommended to surround the pool. They don’t get hot in the sun and have a soft feel that makes them pleasant to walk on barefoot. Polished finishes should be avoided. In the barbecue area, stones resistant to stains and acids and easy to clean, such as granite, are preferable. If a porous stone is chosen, a sealant must be applied to it.
6 What Treatments Are Recommended?
Water-repellent products keep the stone in perfect condition. Two coats should be applied. The stone may arrive pre-treated at the factory and will be enough to apply a second on-site layer on the clean surface. Sealing treatment is important on porous stones, such as limestone or sandstone. Protects against stains without creating a surface film, allowing them to breathe without altering their color.
7 Is The Finish Important?
Yes, it changes the final look of the stone and the feel to the touch. Polishing highlights textures and colors, while honing achieves a similar effect, but matte. However, outdoors, rough finishes are preferable, such as flamed, achieved by applying a flame to stones such as granite and giving a vitrified appearance; scraping, used in sandstones, or bush-hammering, which is rough and homogeneous. Learn more on stonecenters.com.
