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 |  | Limestone Floor Tiles: $3-$10 a Square Foot |  | DIY Installation: $3.50-$11 a Square Foot |  | Professional Installation: $6-$17 a Square Foot |
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Typically available in neutral colors ranging from ivory to golden brown, limestone flooring is often used in kitchens or bathrooms, or to pave shower floors or pool or patio areas. Limestone flooring typically has a rustic or ancient look. Limestone can be mistaken for travertine and vice versa, but limestone tends to be a little smoother, with mostly neutral colors, while travertine tends to have more imperfections and grain, and a wider range of colors.
Typical costs: | - Limestone is available in a range of sizes, from small mosaic pieces up to 36"x36" tiles or large slabs, but the most common flooring tiles are 12"x12", 16"x16" and 18"x18".
- Prices average about $3 to $10 a square foot for just the limestone floor tiles, depending on color, thickness (1/4" or 1/2") and finish. A honed finish (sanded for a flat matte look) is typically less expensive than a water worn (aging the stone), brushed (textured) or polished (shiny) finish. Generally, less-expensive limestone will be softer and more porous.
- Depending on local rates and the complexity of the project (whether the tiles are laid out square, on a diagonal or in a pattern), professional installation increases total costs for labor and materials to $6-$17 a square foot, or $600-$1,700 for a 10x10-foot bathroom (although there can be a minimum charge for small projects).
- Mosaic limestone tiles, which are generally used for accent, can be $6-$30 or more a square foot, depending on how small the pieces are and the desirability of the colors. Home Depot[1] charges about $14 for a single 12" square of 2"x2" limestone tiles.
- Do-it-yourself installation of a limestone floor is possible, but challenging. In addition to the cost of the tiles themselves, grout, thinset (adhesive mortar), sealant and other supplies raises the cost of DIY materials to $3.50-$11 a square foot, or $350-$1,100 for a 10x10-foot bathroom. (A wet saw will be needed to cut the tiles to fit.)
Related articles: Travertine Floor, Slate Floor, Stone Floor, Tile Flooring
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What should be included: | - Limestone flooring needs to be laid carefully and accurately, on a well-prepared surface. If the tiles are not properly supported or they are uneven, they may break or chip under pressure. It's also crucial that the structure is strong enough to support the weight of the stone, so the subfloor might need to be reinforced before installation begins. DoItYourself.com provides a general overview of the installation process[2] .
- Limestone is relatively soft compared to other types of natural stone flooring, which means limestone is slightly more susceptible to cracks and chips and therefore not as durable in high-traffic areas. DoItYourself.com lists a few pros and cons[3] of limestone flooring.
Additional costs: | - Online retailers like StoneLocator.com[4] sell stone tile samples for $6-$10 each, depending on the number of samples ordered.
- Limestone flooring is relatively porous, and needs to be sealed (several coats) when installed, with sealing repeated an average of every 18 months, depending on the amount of traffic and wear. Sealant averages $30-$60 a quart, or $100-$200 a gallon; stone cleaners run $10-$40 a quart. Cleaning and/or sealing a natural stone floor can run $40-$300 or more, depending on the floor's condition and size.
Shopping for a limestone floor: | - The Marble Institute of America discusses the various types of natural stone flooring, including limestone, and provides a directory of natural stone distributors and suppliers[5] . Many of these companies either provide installation or referrals to installers.
- Limestone flooring tiles are available from many home improvement stores, such as Home Depot[6] and Lowe's[7] ; installation is usually available, either directly or by referral.
- The World Floor Covering Association provides a directory of retail floor stores[8] by zip code. Most retails stores provide installation or referrals to local installers.
- A few online natural stone flooring suppliers include BuildDirect.com[9] , FastFloors.com[10] , South Cypress Floors[11] and StoneLocator.com[12] .
- Get several estimates, asking about the training and experience of the installers, the materials to be used, performance warranties and the length of time required to complete the project. Request (and confirm) references from satisfied customers, and ask to see examples of recently completed projects. Make sure the contractor is properly bonded, insured and licensed (state licensing requirements vary).
- The Marble Institute of America offers tips for selecting and working with a natural stone contractor.
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External Resources: | - www.homedepot.com/p/t/100664334?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&N=5yc1vZ1x...
- www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-limestone-floor-tiles
- www.doityourself.com/stry/pros-and-cons-of-limestone-flooring
- www.stonelocator.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=stone&ID=7080&refFuse=basicSearch&StoneT...
- www.marble-institute.com/directory/index.cfm
- www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=limestone+floor&langId=...
- www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&N=0&new...
- www.wfca.org/FlooringStoreLocator.aspx
- www.builddirect.com/Limestone-Tile.aspx
- www.fastfloors.com/_library/search.asp?qcat=Tile+%26+Stone&qtxt=limestone
- www.southcypress.com/Flooring?search=limestone
- www.stonelocator.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=basicsearch&StoneType=12
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