Stone Is the New Wood

Stone industry experts say more homeowners are turning to slate for flooring in their foyers, sunrooms, and basements as well as for exterior floors.

Popular in the 1970s, slate still has a prestige about it, says Angie Pearson, general manager of Virginia Slate in Richmond, Va., who adds that its versatility enhances its attractiveness. For example, slate installed in a bathroom can become a warm surface for the winter months when coil heating elements are used.

Homeowners will have to spend more money for slate and devote more time to upkeep for the flooring, but they are still drawn to its irregular surfaces, from fairly even to jagged, and color gradations, which are determined by its mineral and chemical composition.

Quarries carry a wide array of warm and cool shades, and homeowners are choosing either a singular look or settling on stones with a variety of hues for their floors.

Dean Marsico, co-host of DIY Network's "Rock Solid," which covers the home stone market, says the homebuilding boom is driving the overall interest in stonework in homes. An upcoming show will profile a homeowner who opted for slate in her home foyer.