Limestone Flooring Pros and Cons

Limestone tiles are an elegant flooring material that brings character and durability to a space. Choosing limestone for your floor means signing up for some ongoing maintenance, but it could be worth it to achieve the right design. Understanding these limestone flooring pros and cons will help you decide if it’s the best choice for your remodeling project. 

What Is Limestone Flooring?

Limestone floor tiles are made from natural limestone that’s been cut and shaped into uniform tiles. Limestone is a sedimentary rock often recognizable by its tan coloring and grainy texture. It’s the result of millions of years of compression, and certain types of limestone are commonly used as building materials for foundations, flooring, and exteriors.

Limestone tiles are durable and long-lasting, but they also need some maintenance if they’re going to last. A tile contractor can make recommendations and assess whether limestone tiles fit your needs. 

Pros of Limestone Flooring

Limestone flooring offers a one-of-a-kind look and is resistant to scratches and wear and tear. If it’s maintained properly, it’s also easy to clean. Let’s dig into the pros of this type of flooring.

Natural Character

Because limestone is a natural material, it has a natural character that sets it apart from manufactured materials. The variation in colors and veining gives it a signature style, and you can choose from a range of shades and sizes based on your preferences.

Resistant to Scratches and Everyday Damage 

Formed over thousands of years of compression, limestone is a strong material. While it’s prone to staining if not sealed, it does resist scratches and stands up to wear and tear from traffic and furniture. However, it is characterized as a soft stone, so it’s not as durable as other natural materials like granite—but it’s still more durable than wood or laminate.

Versatile Applications

Limestone is the perfect match for rustic or classic designs, but it also blends in with modern spaces, offering a natural touch. This is especially striking when paired with modern or contemporary elements. Its uses also go beyond flooring: You can use limestone on countertops or as a backsplash, and its neutral color means that it works well alongside materials like metal, wood, and other types of natural stone.

Cons of Limestone Flooring

Despite its natural beauty, limestone flooring does come with some downsides to consider before choosing your flooring material. It does require some maintenance and comes at a higher cost than other flooring options.

Requires Maintenance and Sealing

Limestone is porous, so if it isn’t sealed, it will soak up liquids and stains. This can be prevented by sealing the limestone flooring with a sealant specified for limestone. It’s best to seal the tiles twice: once after installation and a second time after the grout has been applied. Sealed limestone tiles are relatively easy to keep clean if you reseal them every few years or when the previous coat starts wearing off. 

High Cost

The cost of natural flooring materials is higher than that of manufactured materials like vinyl or laminate. While it’s not as expensive as granite or soapstone, limestone flooring costs fall between $3 and $10 per square foot. Labor will also cost more because the tiles are heavy and require care so they don’t chip or crack during installation.

Heavy Material Affects Installation 

Natural stone is a heavy material, so the installation process requires special considerations. Your flooring pro might have to reinforce your subflooring to support the extra weight. The weight of the material can also impact costs because moving and installing limestone tiles will be more labor-intensive. 

Alternatives to Limestone Flooring

If limestone tiles aren’t for you, there is no shortage of flooring materials to choose from. If you prefer to go with another natural stone flooring, consider whether these options better fit your needs:

• Granite: Every tile is unique as well as highly durable and can be used in kitchens and bathrooms

• Soapstone: It’s stain- and slip-resistant, so it works well in bathrooms

• Marble: Known for its high-end look and antimicrobial properties

• Slate: Works well in indoor and outdoor applications and is more affordable than marble or granite

• Travertine: A dense, banded stone that offers an alternative to marble

If you want to explore materials other than stone for your floors, take a look at:

• Wood: A natural, versatile flooring option that performs well in bedrooms and living rooms

• Vinyl: Can mimic other types of flooring like wood or tile, so it works well in kitchens as well as bedrooms

• Laminate: Offers the look of wood without the cost, though it isn’t as durable as its natural counterpart

• Engineered wood: Consists of a core of high-density fiberboard or plywood that’s topped with a layer of hardwood

Is Limestone Flooring Right for You?

Whether limestone flooring is a good fit for your home depends on your budget, needs, and where you’re installing it. Limestone is more expensive and heavier than other flooring materials, so you’ll have to budget accordingly. You might also have to reinforce your subfloor so it can support the additional weight.

If it’s in the budget, the natural character and versatility of limestone flooring can be a beautiful addition to your home in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces. Keep in mind that you’ll have to reseal it every few years. Discussing your flooring options with a local tile contractor will help you determine whether limestone flooring is right for you or if you should go with a different material.