Can You Use Stone in a Family Home with Kids?

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A stone floor gives any house elegance and everlasting beauty. Nonetheless, can people live comfortably in a house full of kids? Yes, but under certain circumstances. Stone offers durability, easy maintenance, and coolness; qualities that are beneficial for a lively family.

However, some types of stone suit high-traffic areas better than others. Let’s explore the benefits and practicality of using stone flooring in homes for families.

Which Stone Suits Your Needs Best?

Stone has a lot of benefits for family homes, though it’s important to make the right choice in terms of the material that suits you best. For instance, go for harder and denser materials like granite or slate in high-traffic areas such as kitchens or living rooms.

In addition, consider the finish. Honed surfaces are more slippery compared to tumbled/brushed ones, which means they have less traction, especially when they get wet. This is important to bear in mind in areas of the home where water usage is high, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Some stones, like the popular Dijon limestone, offer a good balance of beauty and durability. This warm-toned, neutral-coloured Dijon limestone can be found in several finishes to accommodate different tastes and preferences.

 

Durability is Paramount

One of the best features of stone floors is their long-lasting nature. They’re ideal for an active household as they can endure heavy foot traffic, dropped toys, or occasional spills. Slate and granite are well-known for being resilient.

Marble may scratch easily, yet it can be considered suitable for use in low-traffic areas or rooms with less traffic, such as bathrooms or hallways. If you take good care of your stone floor, even softer stone will last beautifully.

Maintenance Must be Easy

Even though it doesn’t seem so at first glance, maintaining stone flooring is surprisingly effortless. To keep it shining, just regular sweeping and mopping with a neutral pH cleanser will suffice.

In contrast to carpets, which catch dirt particles, pollen grains, and allergens among other things, stone provides an allergy-free option that’s well suited for pets or families with allergies.

Every now and then, protect the stone by applying a sealant, especially when spills are likely to occur or where there’ll be a lot of traffic on them. This also prevents staining and makes cleaning more convenient.

Cool Underfoot all Year Round

In regions with warmer climates, people may find themselves staying put even during summer because these floors remain naturally cool throughout the year. This means that during hot months, children have a place to play that feels cold beneath their feet.

This characteristic also makes stone suitable for rooms with underfloor heating systems since it conducts heat effectively too.

Beyond this, stone facilitates temperature moderation, leading to greater energy efficiency by insulating against the summer heat and conserving warmth in winter.

Considering Sound Absorption

There’s one thing that people should be aware of while considering all the advantages that stone flooring offers: noise. Stone can be very unforgiving in terms of noise levels, particularly if there are high ceilings or there’s open floor plan in place.

Because of sound wave reflection on these hard surfaces, echoes may occur, which might not be desirable if you have kids with high energy levels.

However, there are ways to mitigate this. Carpets placed in high-traffic regions absorb sound and provide insulation against cold floors while being visually appealing. You can also hang thick tapestries or curtains on your walls to absorb the noise.

Moreover, think about the specific stone you select. Some, such as slate, have a naturally rough texture, which absorbs more noise than sleeker alternatives.

Combine these elements with the correct stone selection, and you will have created an aesthetically pleasing area for your family that’s also practical in terms of functionality.