Stone floors are absolutely gorgeous both inside and outside the home. But they can also come with a hefty price tag, especially when your choice is an especially rare or beautiful kind of stone. Fortunately, concrete stamping allows us to choose any kind of stone and have it done for cheaper and in a faster amount of time. Almost everything can be replicated with concrete, stamping mats, some stains, and clever contractors.
Consider these beautiful stone floors to mimic with stamped concrete:
Limestone
Limestone is a kind of sedimentary rock that forms naturally from the accumulation of small grain-like objects such as the skeletal fragments of coral and small marine organisms.
It’s a popular ancient building material because of its incredible longevity and resistance to sun and rain exposure.
As a flooring material, limestone is a great choice for people who want the classic look of stone but do not want anything too flashy or fancy like marble. Limestone tiles can be anywhere between $2 and $11 for its most basic types, but choosing to have them professionally installed raises those prices anywhere between $6 to $17 per square foot.
Fortunately, limestone floors are a popular choice to mimic using concrete, and most contractors will have some experience installing faux limestone floors. You can choose from a variety of colors, sizes, and textures for your stylish faux limestone floors that no one will know is actually concrete.
Slate Floors
Natural slate is a metamorphic rock that is extremely fine-grained and relatively homogenous in color and quality. It arises from the transformation of other rocks after natural exposure to heat and is actually the finest grained metamorphic rock in nature.
It’s a popular flooring material because it offers a luxurious option that brings the beauty of natural stone into the home while remaining durable.
However, its drawbacks lie in its costs. Natural slate can average between $4 and $10 per square floor, and the cost of professional installation takes that up to an average of $10 to $15 per square foot. Installation is also labor-intensive and lasts a long time, which adds to costs.
Because of this, many people turn to stamped concrete to achieve the same aesthetic results and durability while getting a lighter and less intimidating price tag.
Travertine
Travertine is actually a form of limestone that is found near mineral springs. It is a softer kind of rock and can come as either polished travertine (resembling marble) or tumbled travertine, which offers a rustic antique look to your stone floors.
Because it’s softer and more porous, it is more susceptible to damage. It costs between $3 to $20 per square foot, but the constant need for the stone sealer to protect it will quickly drive up costs.
Travertine can very easily be mimicked by stamped concrete. It is often more “fibrous” in appearance and is often pitted with small holes and can come in white, cream, or beige. This appearance and texture can be easily copied by a skilled contractor and can be stained to the desired color and finish using concrete stain. It’s the perfect “stone” floor for your outdoor spaces.
