Make Natural Stone Tile Flooring ‘Green’

Not surprisingly, stone tile flooring is a naturally green flooring material. It is moisture resistant, lasts a lifetime, and releases almost no harmful byproducts.

The Potential of Stone Tile Flooring

Natural stone tile is a green material by default. However, there are steps you can take to make your stone tile flooring installation even greener. If you’re up for a larger remodel and a little more planning, a stone tile floor can easily be part of a larger green remodeling plan to reduce energy use in your home. Here’s what you need to know about stone tile flooring if green is on your radar.

Green Stone Tile Flooring Remodeling 101: Calculating Value

Budget is a big concern on any remodeling project, and the high cost of stone can make some homeowners balk at the prospect of spending even more by going green. However, the truth of the matter is that going green with stone tile rarely costs more than a traditional tiling project, and in many cases it can actually end up saving you money — initially and in the long run.

Things like low maintenance requirements (which equals more time for homeowners), high quality, long lasting materials, and healthier homes are far more valuable than any budget can reflect. Add to that the peace of mind that comes in knowing you’ve made a commitment to a better, more sustainable world for your kids and grandkids, and the real value of going green starts to come into focus.

How to make your natural stone tile flooring green:

• A stone tile floor in the proximity of south facing windows will soak up passive solar heat on winter days and radiate it back into your home during the night, which will reduce your heating bills and will also operate on the same principal during warm months when it is cooled by a whole house fan at night.
• Since stone lasts generations without experiencing significant wear and tear, you can find perfectly good discarded stone tiles that look as good today as they did on the day they were initially installed, making reclaimed stone a wonderful prospect.
• If at all possible, purchase stone from local quarries. Going local is much kinder to the environment since you won’t burn large amounts of fossil fuel shipping it and you’ll probably save a few dollars in the process.

A Few More Green Stone Tile Tips:

Many types of natural stone tiles require a sealant to protect them from staining and other damage. Use a low-toxic, low-VOC sealer, to limit your exposure to VOCs, or eliminate them altogether. If you’re installing natural stone tile in high moisture areas, such as a kitchen or bath, apply a low-toxic sealer to the grout to eliminate the problem of mold and mildew. Finally, if you’re tearing up an old flooring to put in a new one, be sure to reuse whatever you can (old trim, etc.), and send recyclable waste somewhere besides the dump.

Which Shade of Green Stone Tile Flooring is Right for You?

It is not unusual for homeowners to feel a little overwhelmed when presented with the full scope of green remodeling options. Aside from stone, options include some wood floors, marmoleum, and bamboo flooring. Going green isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition, however, and any step you take in a green direction is a smart one, whether you purchase local stone, or install natural stone tiles alongside new windows and a radiant heating system. Speaking with a flooring industry expert can help you decide what direction you should take on your green flooring project.

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