How to choose between natural stone and wooden flooring
03.2022
Natural stone and wooden parquet are two beautiful and practical flooring solutions if you are looking for an elegant, natural atmosphere
How to choose between natural stone and wooden flooring
When you are renovating or designing a home from scratch, one of the key decisions you will have to make is the type of flooring to be installed. While walls and furnishings can be changed relatively easy if you grow weary of them or they show signs of wear, replacing a floor inevitably entails more upheaval and cost. The solutions vary from resin to ceramic tiles to carpet, but when it comes to an authentic look, to say nothing of feel, natural stone and parquet are in a class of their own. We take a look at the advantages of both in this article.
Factors to consider when choosing between a wood and natural stone floor
Versatile and adaptable, natural stone and parquet both work well with a range of décor styles, from classic to modern, depending on the wall colour and furnishings. This also makes them a wise investment should you want to change the look of the room at a future date. However, to ensure you make the most of their longevity, there are certain factors to take into account before finalising your choice:
- The mood of the house
- Your lifestyle
- Lighting
- Any particular features of a room
Natural stone and wooden parquet evoke different sensations and feelings and have a significant impact on the final look of an environment which is why it is important to make the right decision when you are looking for a floor material that delivers on both aesthetics and functionality.
Certain zones in the house call for materials that are more hardwearing, easy to clean or water-resistant, and here the kitchen and bathroom immediately spring to mind. Then, there is also the fact that some wooden flooring solutions are more subject to oxidisation which means they are likely to change colour if they are exposed to strong sunlight.
The advantages of natural stone flooring
A natural stone floor is not only extremely practical, but also lifts the entire room, creating an eye-catching aesthetic. In terms of style, stone creates a sense of continuity with the outdoors and, without doubt, transmits a feeling of understated luxury. There is also a range of colours, from pale tones such as classic white Bianco Carrara to darker marbles such as Gris du Marais®.
Looks aside, natural stone flooring has a number of practical benefits, the first being that is exceptionally hardwearing and able to withstand constant foot traffic and heavy weights. Then, its heat conductivity properties make it effective for homes with underfloor heating, whereas in certain conditions wood may not be as compatible.
In general, stone flooring tends to be more suitable than wood in the more used rooms of a house, particularly the kitchen, bathroom and dining room where its toughness, ease of cleaning and versatile, enduring aesthetic make for a long lasting, beautiful solution.
Pros and cons of wooden parquet compared to stone
Warm, natural and discreet, wooden parquet creates welcoming, elegant environments. It is also practical, delivering a good level of both sound and heat insulation and helping a room remain cool in summer and warm in winter. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for the more personal areas of a home, such as the bedroom.
On the downside, however, wooden flooring is more delicate than stone and so it is important to choose the correct materials to clean it and keep it well-maintained. In high-traffic areas of the home, it can prove to be vulnerable to scratches, particularly if there are young children or pets around. In such situations, a more hardwearing material is a better option and here, natural stone comes into its own.
When to use a combination of stone and wooden flooring
When you are thinking about which material to lay on your floor, you may decide to choose different options for different rooms, for example using a combination of wood and natural stone. If done well, this solution can create a dynamic, lively look throughout and allows plenty of scope for you or your interior designer to play with texture and colours to create an intriguing and highly personalised effect.
That said, however, if you opt for the same flooring throughout the entire house, you will enjoy a wonderful fluidity. This solution also makes rooms appear larger, so is ideal for smaller apartments. If your home is on more than level, it creates a sense of continuity over the different storeys. Another small but important benefit of choosing a single-material flooring scheme is that cleaning is slightly easier as you need fewer products and implements.
Stone Parquet: the perfect combination of wood and stone flooring
If you love the warmth and natural feeling of wooden parquet but want something a little more long lasting and hardwearing, you will be pleased to know that you can have the best of both worlds. Our Stone Parquet, designed by Piero Lissoni, is an evolution of traditional wooden flooring and the perfect fusion of natural stone and wood. Available in Bianco Carrara, Crema d’Orcia, Imperiale and Pietra d’Avola, it comes in tiles of varying dimensions which can be laid in a classic staggered or herringbone pattern.
It works beautifully in any type of space, conferring a sense of timeless elegance and tradition, expressed in a contemporary key. This makes it an ideal solution for any style home, from country cottage to minimalist and modern. It brings together all the advantages of both natural stone and wood to create a parquet effect floor in those rooms where it is generally thought impractical, such as the bathroom and kitchen.
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