skip to main content

Limestone Floor in kitchen?

15 years ago

After too much dithering, I thought I had finally chosen the floor for the kitchen reno: limestone. It comes from a quarry not too far from where we live, which is one of its attractions.

I plan to get honed limestone, and use the enhancer and the sealer.

But how long will it look good? Is this an invitation to re-doing the floor 3 years from now?

Perhaps I should fall back on using ceramic tile. Not exciting, but still looking more or less like when you put it in, year after year.

Advice very much requested.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

mississippirose
15 years ago
I used limestone on my bathroom floors in a remodel and they have been perfect. Consider that they do need to be sealed so that a potential spill (grape juice/wine) may be absorbed by it. Limestone is very porous hence the sealer. I have ceramic floors in the kitchen. They are so durable and stain resistant that they work for me. I hope someone with limestone in their kitchen can give you some direct advice. Hope this helps. Carol
elizpiz
15 years ago
We *love* our limestone floors!! Ours is called Jasman, and it looks just like this close up of the tile.

It is honed and sealed. Of course we could be in the same boat as you - we've only been back in the house for 5 months, so I can't honestly tell you how they will look three years from now. But ours is an old house and we don't mind that the materials we've chosen will show wear and tear over time. I have to say that these floors are so easy to maintain - they never show dirt and spills wipe up easily. They're also heated, which was a treat this winter :-)

Here they are in our kitchen:

Good luck!
Eliz
Related Discussions
honed italian limestone floors for foyer, hallway and kitchen?
Q
Comments (3)
I would hesitate to install any kind of stone floor when you have "very active boys"--it's a very bad surface to land on if you fall, and a bad surface to drop things on. Not to mention, unless you have radiant heating it's COLD, although depending what climate you're in that may be a welcome feature. The other problem to consider here is stone floors in kitchens. In kitchens specifically, stone and similarly hard surfaces (like concrete or ceramic tile) are surprisingly hard on your feet and back. In rooms where you don't spend much time or where you're usually sitting down, such as bathrooms or foyers or living rooms, it isn't an issue... but a kitchen is a place where, if you cook much at all, you spend a lot of time standing up. And you would be amazed how much faster your feet and back get tired when you're standing on a stone, concrete or ceramic floor, compared to a wood, cork, bamboo, linoleum or vinyl floor. Some people put rubber mats in front of the work areas in the kitchen, and that works, but then you have rubber mats scattered around your kitchen... so you should consider whether that's a look you want, whether you have storage in the kitchen to put the mats into when you want them out of sight, and whether the stone floor is worth the hassle of having to use and store rubber mats.
...See More
Limestone flooring for kitchen?
Q
Comments (2)
I maintain, clean and restore flooring professionaly. to me, limestone is the most beautiful type of flooring. the reality is that limestone is a very porous stone, some more than others. mopping is your enemy. it is the #1 contributor to dirty grout and stone. remove loose debris and sand with a dry dust mop (not swiffer) use a vaccuum for edges and corners. Home Depot has a $25-$30 microfiber dust mop that you can buy replaceable, washable pads for. mist some cleaner from a spray bottle and rub agressively with the microfiber to remove spills. mopping once a month is fine. these are just basic guidelines, I provide specific care guides per floor for my clients, but this should give you an idea. limestone will etch also, so if you have a polished finish, budget yourself for annual refinishing. it can be easy to maintain, but you have to follow the necessary steps.stone is LOW maintanence, not NO maintanence. more often than not the extra steps people take (mopping frequently etc.) do more harm than good.
...See More
Am I going to deeply regret limestone floors in a kitchen?
Q
Comments (9)
Good idea jbrig. Of course, that would assume I actually have any of that stuff in my "temporary kitchen". The fact is, I never really unpacked most of my kitchen stuff after moving here...and for the past few months I've lived mostly on frozen dinners! But I do have salad dressing....I'll start with that. As for specifics...I was told by the stone company (Logix stone), which I called after buying it that it is limestone from the Sahara desert. Most of each tile seems smooth and solid, but each has some less uniform areas, with a patchier surface and a few small holes. Say an average of 3 holes in a 12X12 tile...much less than most of the travertine I've seen. And I just tried scratching the surface with a table fork and knife and they didn't touch it....so maybe... Will post a pic when I can. Camera is out of battery!
...See More
Forced limestone floor for kitchen - need advice
Q
Comments (26)
Thx all. It came out better than I expected. The color is better in real life or earlier. This was at 7pm as the sun was setting. It turned out my fireplace is also limestone which I forgot because it was buried behind a massive sofa set. I think it will go well with the grey and espresso cabinets.
...See More
theforest
15 years ago
My in-laws have limestone in their kitchen and it is beautiful. HOWEVER, once it gets dirty there is pretty much no getting it clean. Under their breakfast table, under the couch, and under the rug that has always been inside the back door the stone is much lighter than in the high traffic areas. They have had it cleaned professionally twice, and it got a little better but not much. They have had it sealed as recommended, it's just such a porous stone it's hard to keep clean. It really isn't that noticeable unless you are looking for it. It has prevented my MIL from rearranging her table and couch because there was such a noticeable difference. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part II

Still looking for a new kind of countertop? Try sodalite, zinc, limestone, onyx and more

PATIOS Landscape Paving 101: How to Use Limestone for Your Patio

By Falon Mihalic

Limestone stands the test of time and works in both contemporary and classic landscape designs

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Flooring 101: Find Your Material Match

By Lisa Frederick

From cork to concrete, our guide will help you pick the perfect surface for your kitchen floor

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Good Flow for a Well-Detailed Chicago Kitchen

By Jeannie Matteucci

A smart floor plan and a timeless look create an inviting kitchen in a narrow space for a newly married couple

GREEN Kitchen of the Week: Green and Gorgeous in California

By Vanessa Brunner

An apple-green countertop color matches this kitchen renovation's green approach: ecofriendly floors, sustainably harvested wood and more

MOST POPULAR 6 Kitchen Flooring Materials to Boost Your Cooking Comfort

By Jennifer Ott Design

Give your joints a break while you're standing at the stove, with these resilient and beautiful materials for kitchen floors

MOST POPULAR Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Kitchen Flooring Materials

Which kitchen flooring is right for you? An expert gives us the rundown

FLOORS 8 Inventive Kitchen Floor Treatments

By Vanessa Brunner

Let these fresh flooring concepts simmer in the back of your head as you plan your kitchen remodel

Contemporary Texas Style

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Designers Celebrate the Limestone and Landscape of Texas

KITCHEN DESIGN What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen

By Becky Harris

One-of-a-kind lumber warms a room and adds age and interest

Sponsored

More Discussions

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

Silver colored drawer pulls and faucet

1

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11

Removing Kitchen Backsplash

5

What are these above my cabinets?

4