Marble-Also known as calcium carbonate stone. It reacts to acid and gives a high-gloss appearance. Most marble has veins, swirls, and bands. Marble should be sealed after cleaning.
      Pro’s: Hard-won’t scratch like hardwood.
     Con’s: Does not hold up well in heavy traffic areas, will have to be regularly polished to maintain its sheen. It does not retain heat very well so it can be very cold in winter.
Cleaning Tips: Clean with a soft cloth or mop with a pH neutral  solution. Never clean with vinegar.

Brick Floors-One of the most durable floors available today. A protecting sealer should be applied, but only once the floor is completely dried from cleaning.

        Pro’s: Durable. Environmentally friendly. Once sealed easy to clean-can be wet or dry mopped, even vacuumed. Non-slip and fade resistant.
        Con’s: Can be rough to the touch. Susceptible to chipping.

       Cleaning Tips: Sweep and mop regularly. Seal with a brick sealer to help keep cleaning easy.

Saltillo-Also known as Terra cotta Tile or Mexican Tile. The soft, porous nature of tile makes it easy to scratch and damage. Saltillo will often have a wax applied to prevent stains from penetrating the porous surface.  The can also be sealed with a penetrating sealer, with either a matte or high-gloss finish.
           Pro’s:  Authentic look.
           Con’s: Scuff and stain easily. High maintenance, have to be sealed every year to protect the tile.
           Cleaning tips:  Sweep and wet mop regularly. Call a professional tile and grout cleaner to re-seal and professionally clean.

Travertine-Is limestone that has been formed in hot springs.  Water movement causes the erosion of the stone, creating numerous holes of varying sizes.  A polished travertine will have its holes filled with color-matched cement filler.  Because the filler does not take a high polish, the polish can sometimes appear blotchy.

          Pro’s:  Diverse style options. Simple installation. Durability. Beauty.
          Con’s: Unsealed stone is reactive to acidic products. Polished travertine is slippery when wet.
          Cleaning tips:  Dust mop with a non-treated dust mop regularly. A micro fiber flat mop is the best choice when mopping. Use a neutral stone cleaner available from a stone dealer. Stay clear from generic stone cleaners, as they  can be abrasive and etch the floors. After wet mopping, following up with a dry mop to remove any streaks. 

Ceramic Tiles-Ceramic tile is a clay-fired man made material. Many of the tiles made today are made it look like real stone. It can be very slippery when wet, or have a rough surface to resist slips and falls. The rough surfaces collect dirt easily, and can become difficult to clean conventionally.
           Pro’s: Long lasting if well cared for. Low maintenance-will clean easily with a neutral floor cleaner. Numerous colors and designs to choose from. Stands up well to high traffic areas.
            Con’s: Can chip or crack. Because of it’s hardness, it’s unforgiving to breakable objects.
            Cleaning tips: Damp mop regularly. Spot clean with a soft sponge and neutral cleaner.

Soapstone-Is light grey in its natural state with moderate to heavy amounts of veining, varying from piece to piece. With age, use and the application of mineral oil the stone darkens and the character and beauty become more apparent. Mineral oil should be applied to aid in the oxidation process for soapstone, giving it a deeper color.
            Pro’s:  Great for countertops because it won’t burn or stain. Joints can be made invisible. Has a warmer feel than granite or marble.
            Con’s: Requires frequent application of mineral oil. Prone to chipping.
            Cleaning tips:  Clean regularly with mild dish soap and warm water. Wipe frequently with mineral oil.

Flagstone-Is the term given to almost all stone materials cut into thin, irregular shapes found frequently on sidewalks, foyer entrances, pool decks, etc..., flagstone is commonly sandstone type.  Flagstone should not be ground, and should only be cleaned and sealed.
            Pro’s: Durable. Stain-resistant. Many options for sealer from no gloss to high-shiny gloss.
            Con’s: Hard on legs and feet. Cold in winter.
            Cleaning tips: Damp mop using clear water, or an all purpose floor cleaner. Wring out the mop until it does not drip.

Concrete-Concrete floors have come a long way from plain old boring gray. With various options for staining, concrete floors can be an impressive flooring option.

            Pro’s: Very durable. Little maintenance required. Keeps allergens to a minimum.
            Con’s: Cold in winter and hard on feet.
            Cleaning tips: Damp mop and sweep regularly.

VCT Floors-Also known as Vinyl Composition Tile.  Typically found in commercial buildings, this floor has to be stripped and waxed regularly to remove dirt and scratches on the surface of the wax.
             Pro’s: Smooth finish and attractive look.
             Con’s: Can be slippery when wet. Has to be stripped and waxed regularly for maintenance.
             Cleaning tips: Sweep or dust mop daily. Damp mop only when necessary as water can seep between the seams.