Suitability

Intended use is of course key as this will determine exactly what type of stone can be used for the purpose. Jules Archard, Showroom Manager at Surface says: “Suitability is key as some natural stone is more practical than others for kitchens. Granite is hard and relatively non-porous making it a popular choice, whereas a soft and chalky limestone would be less practical as it would cope less well with impact, acids and would be harder to clean.”

Durability

Durability and maintenance go hand in hand. If natural stone is properly looked after it should last and retain its quality long into the future. Regularly sealing a stone floor is very important, according to designer Tim Moss. “If correctly sealed it should withstand most things that are thrown at it,” he says. Cleaning a stone floor is also important and should be done using a recommended natural stone cleaner i.e. non-acidic with the correct pH balance, says Archard. “Off the shelf cleaners should be avoided as they could contain ingredients that will damage the stone.”