Stone or Manufactured Tile Flooring: Pros and Cons of Each

Upgrading the flooring in your kitchen or bathroom can be exciting and fun. These days, most people opt for tile floors in their kitchens; the vast majority of the time, tiles made out of ceramic, glass or porcelain are used. There are many reasons for the popularity of these manufactured tiles, but they do not detract from the many great advantages of going with stone. In many ways, comparing stone tiles and manufactured tiles is like comparing apples and oranges; the two options are utterly distinct and unique. Still, you may find yourself trying to decide between the two. If you are, considering the following pros, cons and pointers may help pave the way toward your ultimate decision.

Ease of Use
There's no two ways about it: Manufactured tile is easier to use, install and replace. As beautiful as stone flooring is, selecting a style can be tricky due to natural inconsistencies in the block of stone from which the tiles were created. Although stone tiles are mass produced now to enhance their consistency, the fact remains that there will always be small, subtle differences from one piece to the next. Some people like that characteristic; others prefer the more uniform and clean look of manufactured tile.

Another issue that often crops up concerns replacing or repairing tile floors. In the case of manufactured tile, like ceramic or porcelain, doing so is as easy as tracking down the style and pattern and reordering a few pieces. Stone can be a lot more involved, though. If you think ahead and buy spare pieces when your stone floors are initially installed, it can save you a lot of grief over the long haul. Still, things happen; if you end up requiring more stone than you have handy, you could be in for a long and very involved search. At the end of the day, you just need to remember that stone tiles are cut from large blocks of stone; manufactured tiles are created in factories and are bound to be utterly consistent in their colors, patterns, thicknesses and other characteristics.

Variety
There are many lovely kinds of stone that can be used for flooring. In terms of color, patterns and design, though, manufactured tile wins hands down. If you are especially concerned about making your kitchen or bathroom utterly color-coordinated, you should probably stick with ceramic, glass or porcelain tiles. If you're looking for an edgier and more dramatic look, on the other hand, stone is probably right up your alley. Those who are particularly concerned about every last detail being spot-on are usually better off choosing an elegant ceramic or porcelain tile than stone.

Price
It should come as no surprise that manufactured tile is a lot cheaper than natural stone. After all, various types of porcelain, ceramic and glass tiles can be produced in truly staggering quantities. The more widely available a style is, the less expensive it is going to be. Certain types of stone, like slate, are really difficult to get from the ground to a kitchen or bathroom floor. When you opt for stone, you pay more because it costs more to get it onto the shelves. These basic economic facts make all kinds of sense, when you think about them.

Durability
Ceramic tiles are beautiful; many times, though, their glazing wears away, which leaves them susceptible to scrapes, smudges and other imperfections. Because stone is the same basic color all the way through, chips aren't as problematic. Furthermore, stone can be refinished or reground to get it back to looking like new; the same thing can't be said for manufactured tiles.

Installation
You'll not only pay more to buy stone tiles, but you will pay more to have them installed. Due to their inconsistencies, including variations in the thicknesses of each tile, a lot more skill is required to install them correctly. To be sure, installing stone flooring is best left to the professionals. Manufactured tile's consistent and uniform nature makes it a whole lot easier to manage when it comes to installation. Many do-it-yourselfers tackle the installation of tile flooring without any issues whatsoever.

Most likely, the price of stone versus manufactured tile is going to be the deciding factor for you. Just as natural hardwood floors bring more value to a home than engineered wood floors, natural stone tiles enhance the value of a home more than manufactured tiles do. Ultimately, though, your decision will probably boil down to the overall appearance and style of the tiles in question.

Charlie Dima writes out of Earth City, MO about using
Carpet One Floor and Home products in home improvement and DIY projects. Always looking for the most affordable prices and well-known brands, she tends to end up shopping at http://www.carpetone.com more often than not.