Natural stone and slate floors are popular choices for certain types of locations and there are many positive qualities that they possess.  Natural stone is unique in design and character, and there are a wide variety of designs and colours available to give that personalized touch to your floor.  Natural stone also scores highly in terms of cost durability and if carefully looked after should last and look good for many years.

The key to keeping the floor looking good is maintenance, and although stone and slate are durable materials, they can stain easily and leave an unsatisfactory effect in a short time, not great for a substantial investment.  Some maintenance tips should help you keep your floor looking good.

The most important factor is to make sure that the slate or stone is professionally cut and installed.  Stone and slate need to be cut in a certain way, and when installed the grout (the construction material used to seal the gaps between the tiles) must be done professionally as it is notoriously difficult to apply and not leave gaps.  Grout is one way that your floor can get stained quickly if not looked after.

Stone with a natural finish can be smooth yet really has a rough finish and can be prone to staining from spillages.  The rough finish often provides a certain slip free quality, but it is well advised to apply a stone and grout sealer.  The sealer should not be waxed based.

Likewise with the grout, a sealer is essential as grout is a porous substance composed of a mixture of cement, sand and water.  It is also usually recessed a little lower than the surface of the tiles, so it is here that any spillages will gather.  A good sealer will 'water-proof' the surface and add an additional layer of protection - a stone floor cleaning company will be able to recommend one for you.

When the floor has been sealed it is essential to protect it.  Sealers offer protection but can wear off or get scratched, so protecting the surface from scratching should be a priority.  Most scratching occurs when walk in dirt and grit on the soles of shoes comes into contact with the floor surface.  Placing doormats at entrances should help reduce the amount of grit introduced into the environment, while regular sweeping and vacuuming should keep the majority away from the floor's surface.

Care should be taken when moving heavy objects or furniture, and it is advisable to clean up any spillages as soon as they occur.  If the floor does get scratched or marked then the surface will again be exposed, increasing the risk of staining.