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The traditional base for stone floors was natural earth, but today they are usually laid on concrete ground or upper floors, which are finished with a sand and cement screed as part of the building process.
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Tiles and slabs can be laid on timber floors but they are heavy, and you need to make sure that the timber structure is strong enough to accept the weight.
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In many houses constructed or renovated in the twentieth century, screeds will have been laid on ground floors to allow for a relatively thin covering, such as quarry tiles, carpet or parquet, and you will have to take this into account if laying a stone floor. It may be necessary to restrict your choice to thin new stone or to take up the screed.
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This latter course is a major undertaking and should only be undertaken by a competent builder or flooring company.
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If, however, you are constructing a new concrete floor or replacing an old earthen or timber floor with a concrete one, you will have greater freedom of choice in the type and size of stone you use. You could also take the opportunity to install under-floor heating.
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Examples of flooring Installation
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Below are some examples of different methods of flooring installation.
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Points to Consider when choosing Natural Stone Flooring
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Suitability - Think about what suitability your Stone floor needs to fulfil
Which rooms ? How much wear/foot traffic / food/drink/children/dogs etc - (don't be afraid to use stone in kitchen areas - the sealing process of Natural stone is dealt with by your fixer and in reality is a very simple process which should last 5 - 10 years before needing any further attention)
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If you are choosing a Stone Floor for your Kitchen/Hallway/Living area it needs to be hardwearing, easy to maintain, you may want to consider choosing a stone with a fairly neutral colour so that it does not become the main focus of the area and you can easily change future wall colours, fabrics etc
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Think about the style/Period of your Home - your new floor should feel part of the History of the building - if you are looking for an inside/outside theme to lead out onto an external Terrace area there are some stones that are suitable for both but your supplier needs to know at the outset so they can help you make the right choice
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Colour - Think about your pallette of colours and if possible when you choose your stone in a showroom take along with you a piece of the kitchen unit door, and maybe your farrow & ball paint chart and fabric swatches - Remember you can still choose a neutral coloured stone with fossils/character/markings that is very practical and easy to maintain - Always expect some variation in the colours/markings and texture of Stone ! that is the beauty of Mother Nature
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Budget - Create a budget that you do not want to exceed including the fixing and sealing costs
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Size/Laying Pattern/ thickness - there are many different types sizes/thickness/patterns of stone to choose from so decide whether you want a contemporary single size look or a Rustic Farmhouse feel or a Traditional Period look
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Underfloor Heating - Natural stone is very effective over underfloor heating and means you can do away with unsightly radiators- A good Natural Stone Specialist Flooring supplier will hold your hand along the process of do's and don'ts
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Fixer - make sure you choose a reputable fixer and one that has previous experience of fixing Natural Stone - ask your stone supplier to organise it for you or recommend a reputable fixer - and always ask for more than one quotation
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