ceramic/stone floor tiles and underfloor heating

cuffie

Hi
I wanted to have a limestone flooring in my kitchen/dining area with underfloor heating, but I mentioned it to a friend yesterday and she said it was a big no no because the floor tiles can crack? Is that right? She also said that limestone flooring is a nightmare to clean. (me thinks she is trying to put me off!!!)
Can anyone else advise? I don't mind other floor tiles, but I thought limestone was harder wearing. I remember someone telling me a while ago that ceramic floor tiles were more likely to chip if you dropped something on it.
I don't want to spend my life scrubbing the floors. Just a mop up and sweep up. Are limestone tiles really not the way to go? Can anyone advise?
Thanks

Emmalou

I am no expert, but my friend has travertine floor tiles which look great and she says they really don't show the dirt etc. She said that she hardly had to clean it at all - that is until she got a puppy and now she's cleaning it all the time!
She also has underfloor heating with it.
Travertine is a form of limestone I believe and both will need treating after laying and then yearly thereafter (I think).
You can also get some porceline replica stone tiles (porceline being less likely to crack than ceramic I believe), but noticed they were a bit pricey (£35 per m squared). Probably cheaper than the natural stone though!

windym_2

cuffie wrote: »

Hi
I wanted to have a limestone flooring in my kitchen/dining area with underfloor heating, but I mentioned it to a friend yesterday and she said it was a big no no because the floor tiles can crack? Is that right? She also said that limestone flooring is a nightmare to clean. (me thinks she is trying to put me off!!!)
Can anyone else advise? I don't mind other floor tiles, but I thought limestone was harder wearing. I remember someone telling me a while ago that ceramic floor tiles were more likely to chip if you dropped something on it.
I don't want to spend my life scrubbing the floors. Just a mop up and sweep up. Are limestone tiles really not the way to go? Can anyone advise?
Thanks

I have limestone floor throughout the ground floor of our barn conversion (with UFH). It is French Limestone and very very light. I have a 9 year old boy, rhodesian ridgeback dog, 4 chickens,2 ducks and a husband, but I am not in the slightest worried about my floor!

The tiles were laid onto a concrete screed using white adhesive. They were sealed using Lithofin sealant. I sweep every day (or vacuum) and mop once a week. It is perfectly clean.

I would never have ceramic tiles because if they chip or crack you are knackered! We have a very very hardwearing floor. Although limestone is a porous stone, if you seal it, it will be long lasting. I have dropped the odd item which may have caused havoc with ceramics, but the limestone is in tact. I have also got a bottle of stain remover which is a paste type substance to put on stubborn stains. But frankly, the 'grain' of the limestone is such that you don't see any marks.

We bought ours from Rio Azul who have since closed, but ours is now about 2 years old. I cannot recommend it enough.

Travertine and limestone are similar, but travertine is slightly cheaper and has a more rustic look. If you go for travertine make sure it is honed and polished. My limestone is smooth but not shiny.

The sealant for the limestone is as thin as water. It is applied with a roller and lasts for 1 year, although mine has been going well for 2, with the aforementioned 'animals' who all come in from time to time! I shall not be retreating mine for another year yet!

Our floor was a solid concrete base but we still used white flexible adhesive.

Edit - cuffie, was it you who was asking about granite worktops a long time ago? If so, did you get them?

cuffie

windym wrote: »

I have limestone floor throughout the ground floor of our barn conversion (with UFH). It is French Limestone and very very light. I have a 9 year old boy, rhodesian ridgeback dog, 4 chickens,2 ducks and a husband, but I am not in the slightest worried about my floor!

The tiles were laid onto a concrete screed using white adhesive. They were sealed using Lithofin sealant. I sweep every day (or vacuum) and mop once a week. It is perfectly clean.

I would never have ceramic tiles because if they chip or crack you are knackered! We have a very very hardwearing floor. Although limestone is a porous stone, if you seal it, it will be long lasting. I have dropped the odd item which may have caused havoc with ceramics, but the limestone is in tact. I have also got a bottle of stain remover which is a paste type substance to put on stubborn stains. But frankly, the 'grain' of the limestone is such that you don't see any marks.

We bought ours from Rio Azul who have since closed, but ours is now about 2 years old. I cannot recommend it enough.

Travertine and limestone are similar, but travertine is slightly cheaper and has a more rustic look. If you go for travertine make sure it is honed and polished. My limestone is smooth but not shiny.

The sealant for the limestone is as thin as water. It is applied with a roller and lasts for 1 year, although mine has been going well for 2, with the aforementioned 'animals' who all come in from time to time! I shall not be retreating mine for another year yet!

Our floor was a solid concrete base but we still used white flexible adhesive.

Edit - cuffie, was it you who was asking about granite worktops a long time ago? If so, did you get them?

Hi Windym!! I thought I recognised you on here!! Yes - was me after the granite. Have just ordered it actually....how long did it take me??!!!! I did look at the internet companies (and the one you recommended), but ended up going with a local guy who was recommended by a friend. He came out very slightly more expensive than the internet guys, but I've seen his work, we've been down to his yard 3 times now, chosen the granite ourselves....and he doesn't want any money till its all done and we are happy. Hopefully he will be templating next week and by then 2 weeks after that should be fitted. Its taken so long. Our wall was knocked down to make a large kitchen/diner on 3rd Sept, and here we are, kitchen in, awaiting granite, looking at flooring some 5 months later!! We ended up going for Cosmos (silver galaxy). I can't wait!! Now, I''m looking at flooring.
Thanks for your comments. You have put my mind at rest a bit. I knew the bods on here would help! xx

Charlie_Mumof3

cuffie wrote: »

Hi
I wanted to have a limestone flooring in my kitchen/dining area with underfloor heating, but I mentioned it to a friend yesterday and she said it was a big no no because the floor tiles can crack? Is that right? She also said that limestone flooring is a nightmare to clean. (me thinks she is trying to put me off!!!)
Can anyone else advise? I don't mind other floor tiles, but I thought limestone was harder wearing. I remember someone telling me a while ago that ceramic floor tiles were more likely to chip if you dropped something on it.
I don't want to spend my life scrubbing the floors. Just a mop up and sweep up. Are limestone tiles really not the way to go? Can anyone advise?
Thanks

HI, I have just had all my bathroom tiled out in travertine, and it looks Sooo nice. I chose not to go for limestone as I am having a loft conversion starting next week, so need to save the pennies;) , but limestone is really nice!

My OH runs a plumbing & heating firm. Our tiler is always raving about limestone and how good it is. It costs more to have put down , but will last years longer than ceramic( and in my opion looks much nicer).

I have had instructions on my tiles that I have to re-seal it once every 2 years, but I can live with that!

I think you should go for the limestone...It will look fantastic:T :T