Produced from the earth, natural masonry materials come in a variety of textures, subtle shades of color, and a variety of shapes that can be used to create an eye-catching interior floor. Masonry is made of stone or clay. Whether used in its original form, marble or slate, for example, or in man-made versions, such as brick or terrazzo, masonry makes an exceptionally strong and durable floor.

Prostone Masonry floors (marble, slate, limestone, granite, and tile) are typically installed only in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms, or used as decorative flooring around fireplaces.

Brick, a relatively inexpensive type of masonry, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for interior flooring. Its mass and heat retention property make it ideal for passive solar home designs.

The porous surface of most masonry floors must be sealed after the flooring is installed. Special sealants are available for specific types of masonry. Most are penetrating sealants that penetrate the porous surface; Depending on the flooring material, you may need to apply multiple coats to produce a hard surface.

Your masonry supplier can recommend the right product for the type of masonry flooring you have installed. To apply the sealer, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Once the surface is sealed, masonry floors are very easy to maintain. The materials are strong and durable, requiring only occasional sweeping and washing with a damp sponge mop and mild detergent.

You may need to apply a light coat of wax from time to time to bring out the character and texture of the flooring material. Check the wax container label to make sure the wax you selected is compatible with the masonry material. Generally, you will be looking for a water-based emulsion wax.

Popular Types of Stone For Building and Stone Masonry

The stone masonry industry regularly uses many types of natural and artificial stone. It is important to choose the right stone for the correct application.

Here are a few different types of natural stone, found in the three main types of geographic rocks:

Igneous rock is formed by the cooling of magma or lava and may or may not involve crystallization characteristics. Types of natural igneous stone include granite, which is one of the hardest stones and requires special masonry techniques to work. It is generally used by masons for its strength and durability on countertops, curbs, and floors.

Other types of igneous rocks include softer pumice and slag to harder obsidian and basalt stone used in stone masonry for foundation work and building blocks.

Metamorphic rock is a rock that has undergone a transformation from an existing rock type, involving extreme pressures and temperatures over long periods of time, resulting in deep chemical and physical 'metamorphism'.

Marble is a typical and popular metamorphic rock that, by tradition, has been carved into statues and for cladding in Renaissance masonry. There are many types of marble differentiated by their color, photographic type, and other factors. Some common types include the white or bluish-gray Carrara marble quarried in Carrara, Italy. Marble is used by stonemasons mainly for its decorative characteristics on floors, tiles, and fireplaces.

Another popular metamorphic rock is shale. Its hardness and granularity provide a sharpness that is popular for memorials and inscriptions. Its layered shape allows masons to divide it into thin plates and use it as a roofing material.

Sedimentary rock is formed in water from the sedimentation of other rocks, calcium deposits, and organic particles. Again, a long process and application of heat and pressure to form layers of strata in a structure called the bed. Inside this bedding, you can also find fossil fuels and minerals.