Flooring Types
Natural Stone Flooring in New Orleans
We install natural stone flooring in homes and businesses across New Orleans, including marble, limestone, travertine, slate and granite. A stone floor here does well when the stone suits the room and the floor under it is stiff and stable.
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Which natural stone suits which room?
This page is for owners who have already decided on real stone and want to pick the right one. It covers which stones suit which rooms, what a raised house or a settling slab needs underneath, how stone handles flood water and wet shoes, and how to care for it.
The Natural Stone Institute sorts stone into two families by what it's made of, and that split tells you most of what you need to know about care.
Calcareous stones: limestone and travertine
Calcareous stone is made mainly of calcium carbonate, which the Natural Stone Institute says is sensitive to acids. The institute notes that limestone and travertine etch when they meet vinegar, citrus or wine, so treat these stones with care in a busy kitchen.
Siliceous stones
Siliceous stone is made mainly of silicates such as quartz and feldspar, and the institute says it's generally resistant to most acids found in kitchens, though acidic cleaners still aren't recommended. Ask which family a slate or granite belongs to before you buy, and see our granite flooring page for more on granite.
Finish for wet entries
A polished finish looks glossy but gets slick when wet. For kitchens, baths and doors that see rain, ask for a honed surface.
Built for New Orleans
What a stone floor needs underneath in New Orleans
Stone needs a stiff, stable base, and New Orleans houses test that in two ways.
Raised and pier homes
The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation says stone tile over wood framing needs L/720 stiffness, against L/360 for ceramic tile, and two layers of structural wood panel when backer board is used. On a raised shotgun or cottage, that can mean adding to the floor structure before any stone goes down.
Slab homes
The City of New Orleans notes that areas built on Mississippi River silt are slowly settling, and houses not on deep pilings are seeing differential settlement and cracking. A slab that has moved needs subfloor preparation before stone is set on it.
Full mortar coverage
The foundation sets 95% mortar coverage for natural stone tile, inside or out, wet or dry, so every tile is fully bedded with no hollow spots.
- 890459Residential license
- 3667Commercial license
- 14Cities in the New Orleans metro
- FREEEstimate on all services
How it works
Natural stone, rain and flood risk
Stone on a ground floor in this city has to deal with tracked-in rain and, in a bad storm, floodwater.
- 01
FEMA's flood rating
FEMA's guide to flood damage-resistant materials rates natural or artificial non-absorbent stone with waterproof grout as acceptable, and all other stone applications as unacceptable.
- 02
Wet slip
ANSI A326.3 calls for a wet DCOF of 0.42 or more on level interior floors walked on when wet. In a Natural Stone Institute study, polished finishes did not meet the 0.42 wet benchmark on average.
- 03
Entry mats
The institute recommends mats inside and outside entrances to catch the sand and grit that scratch stone.
How to keep a stone floor looking right
Most of the work is keeping grit and the wrong chemicals off the surface.
- Clean gently The Natural Stone Institute recommends a neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild dish detergent with warm water.
- Seal it Sealing makes stone more stain resistant, not stain proof, so wipe spills up quickly.
- Keep HF products away Keep hydrofluoric acid (HF) products off stone; the Natural Stone Institute says HF attacks all stones.
- Restore when it dulls Etched or worn stone can be honed and polished through our stone floor restoration service.
Where we install natural stone flooring and how to get a free estimate
We install natural stone across New Orleans, Metairie, Harahan, River Ridge, Mandeville and Covington; the full list is on our service areas page. If you're still weighing real stone against porcelain that looks like it, our stone flooring page compares the two.
For a free estimate, tell us the stone you have in mind, the rooms and whether the house is raised or on a slab.
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Reviews
What Customers Say About TurnKey Floorings
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As a builder, I’ve worked with numerous flooring contractors over the years, but my experience with Turnkey Floorings stands out. They were extremely professional, and their installation of carpet flooring for a big project was flawless. The client was ecstatic with the outcome, and I look forward to our future projects.
Charlie Cleghorn
They have transformed my hotel! Their suggestion of flake flooring for the lobby was a hit, adding an unexpected touch of luxury. Their team was professional and completed the project on time. They are the best flooring contractors in New Orleans.
Eve Harper
I recently had epoxy flooring installed in my garage by Turnkey Floorings. The quality of their work exceeded my expectations. They were professional, punctual, and their attention to detail was commendable. I am really happy with the outcome and highly recommend them.
Frank Johnson
I’m so glad I hired Turnkey Floorings for our floor heating installation. Their service was top-notch, and the crew was very informative and friendly. They made sure to explain everything and answered all of our questions. I wake up every morning to warm floors, thanks to them.
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Their team was incredibly professional and helpful when it came to choosing the right carpet flooring for my home. The installation process was quick and efficient, leaving no mess behind. The end product was fantastic. They really live up to their reputation as a top-notch flooring contractor in New Orleans.
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We decided to up