KOTA STONE FLOORING | An Architect Explains
Kota stone has both advantages and disadvantages. It is useful to know the characteristics of Kota sone, its usability and suitability as a flooring option. As an Architect, I have described Kota stone along with it’s features under the following headings so that you can decide whether it is suited for your requirement and your space:
What are the characteristics of Kota stone?
What are the advantages of Kota stone flooring?
What are the disadvantages of Kota stone flooring?
Where is Kota stone flooring best suited?
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KOTA STONE?
- Composition: Kota is a very fine grained, siliceous calcium carbonate rock of sedimentary nature.
- Physical properties: Kota is hard, compact, tough and homogenous natural stone. It is non-slippery.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF KOTA STONE FLOORING?
- Beautiful: Polished Kota Stone looks beautiful because of it’s nice smoothness and shine.
- Natural: Like Marble or Granite, Kota is a natural stone and is bio-degradable and a green option.
- Finish: Kota stone can be finished according to requirement such as one-side honed, both-sides honed, hand cut, machine cut, polished, mirror finish and calibrated etc.
- Hygienic: Kota, being non-porous and moisture resistant, is a hygienic flooring option in humid regions.
- Cool: Kota reflects heat and is always cool and comfortable underfoot.
- Affordable: Unlike Marble or Granite, Kota stone is very affordable. In fact it is the cheapest stone among other natural stones.
- Wide range: Kota is available in beautiful colours like black, pink, grey and beige. though the rich greenish-blue and brown colours are the most popular.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF KOTA STONE FLOORING?
- Flaking: The stone tends to flake over a period of time. However, periodic polishing using polishing wax can eliminate this phenomenon.
- Lustreless: Kota lacks the luster of Marble or granite.
- Small sized tiles: Unlike Marble and Granite, Kota is not available as large slabs, due to the brittleness of limestone. The maximum sizes are around 240 cm x 75 cm.
- Many joints: Unlike Marble or Granite, Kota stone flooring does not give the appearance of a seamless flooring because Kota tiles are available only in small sized tiles. Also, there is a lot of variation in colour between tiles.
WHERE IS KOTA STONE FLOORING BEST SUITED?
For information on other flooring options, go to:
- Flooring | Natural Material Options
- Flooring | Man-made Material Options
- Flooring | Resilient Material Options
READ MORE:
In order to get a rough idea of the suitability of a particular flooring for your requirement and to make a fair comparison of the different types of flooring, refer to an Architect’s rating of the various kinds of flooring on my blog: House construction in India
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Hello,
I really need your advice here. We have used unpolished kota stone in the kitchen and dining hall as it’s non-slippery. Unfortunately, during the final cleaning, the cleaner has used some material which seems to have had acid in it. It’s reacted with the stone and left white patches. Though he’s cleaned it, there is still some whiteness visible on the flooring. He says it will go with every day cleaning and mopping. Is that true? Is there any other way to get rid of the white patches? Please let me know.
Sir how to clean stains on kota stone , please suggest me Sir .we have tried by many ways but it was impossible sir,Please help me out sir
Hi I am looking to lay kota stone at stairs and bath room. Please advise of it a good idea.
Hello,
Firstly appreciate your help.
Can you advise on using Tandur stone in the washroom ( which will be used hardly once or twice in a month) ?
If so which among these options is preferable ?
a.Unpolished
b.Polished
c.leather finished
Thank you.
Hi sir
I have kota stone on my flat roof , I installed them to avoid leakage from roof because of the cement flooring and cracks that comes on it , however this monsoon the water rinsed through again via the gaps between tiles and seapage happened to an extent that water actually dropped from the ceiling .
Question I want to ask is if Kota is safe for roof
Question 2 what I can do to Kota stones to avoid leakage of water
Sir, Can I use kota stone flooring to an Auditorium which has no fixed chairs, Every now and then we have arrange the tables and plastic chairs and remove. Will it not create permanent scratches ? In what way it is better than granite as for as maintanance is concerned ?
good information of kota stone flooring
Hi,
Thank you for the appreciation.
Admin
Which one is better for staircase- Kota stone or Granite ??
Can we use marble chips to fill the gaps between Kota stone?
Should I use marble chips with Kota stone to fill the gaps between?
Excellent article at kota stone flooring
Hello sir, Could you please let me know how to remove/reduce the scratches on the kota tiles!
Thanks
Regards,
Sowmya
We have an 30 years old Kota stone flooring and want it cleaned and polished. The contractors are vague about the process( number of grindings 5,6or 7etc. and the numbering of grinding stones 1to 5or 6or7 etc , also diamond bit or iron bit etc.)
They also suggest different polishing methods.
Please advise with specific details.
Very important knowledge about to kota stone flooring
Hi,
Thank you for the appreciation.
Admin
Hi
14000 sq feet of bldg compound flooring i want to do. It will have to weather sunlight and heavy rain and cars going and coming. What is the best option if budget is certainly a criteria. Kota , shahbad stone or something else ? Thanks
hi sir,
i have kota stone in house but due to some reason it got battery water spots at many place in house, is not going with normal cleaning agent.
please suggest.
I am planning to have a kotastone-floor which will have thin white border around each stone. Also there will be a white diamond shape at each corner. What is this white material that I should use so that I get the same white colour in the border and the diamond in the corners? It will be similar to this design: http://www.kadappastone.co.in/
We have kota stone tiles in bathroom and toilet floor.due to use of harpic to clean , surface of stone become very rough.What can we do to make it smooth at home
Hi,
You can try polishing it a few times till you get a smooth finish.
Admin
Hi Sir!
I recently came across a beautiful slab of dove grey leather finish marble from Oman. I have been seeing a lot of leather finish granite, but was not aware of italian marble and the likes being finished to acquire a texture with a sheen on the surface. Would you advise me to use it as Drawing room floor?
Hi,
Leather finish marble is popular and trendy. you could use it to give your room that extra edge.
Admin
There is a new Kota product in the market – manufactured joint free Kota stones cut same as 2 × 2 tiles, pre-polished and joint free.
Is this a good one to buy and what is the cost ?
Excellent insights from these replies made by you, thanks for this. Sir we would like to know whether Kota stone is a Vastu friendly stone ? If yes whether for the whole home or some specific areas/rooms. Pl eloberate.
Warm Regards.
We (Ameliorating India – charitable society) with limited funds (being our life long savings) is buiding a HIGH/SS SCHOOL (to provide free education) in Ludhiana and wants to avoid recurring expenditure on maintenance (since there will be no funds as no fee is to be charged. The construction (single floor) has reached near roof level.
1. To provide sunshades above the windows made of pressed iron-sheets (height 8-9 ft from the open ground outside), we contemplate, inserting in the wall-above, 2″ width of the 18″-20″ wide stone-slabs. If so, which stone or other article be used. Pl comment on its and following viability, with better ideas:
2. Inside the class-rooms and gallary, will be cement flooring.
3.To avoid the wall-spoiling (by students), up to 4-5 ft height, ceramic tiles 12′ x 18″ are to be fixed and above that PVC sheets.
4. The roof-terrace is to be brick-tiled.
5. Wooden-doors, with bothside lamination.
6. Outer walls have to be painted. Can some stone (incl fixing cost) covering the outer walls, be economical.
Hope you will help us
Col Naresh Ghai (retd)
Hi,
I’m planning to put Kota stone for my house interior flooring. When I search for the Kota stone, I could see a huge difference in price between different dealers. The dealer who quote more is saying the quality he has is excellent.
Is there anything like different quality Kota stones? I’m a bit confused about it. I’m looking for a good quality one, later I don’t want to be regretted about my decision of getting cheaper one.
Please help
Hi,
We are making a small boutique farm stay in our country try home in Rajasthan. Since it’s available in our state. Whole look here is earthy and rustic. We want to use kota stone alot
1. We want to use Kota stone – natural finish or just swam cut side in the swimming pool. Although many have adviced otherwise. Stating reasons like cleaning is would be a problem , chlorine might react. Etc. What are your thoughts?
2. Understood from earlier responses that using Kota stone(mirror polish) in rooms is fine but since it scratches easily so furniture to have rubber put underneath to avoid. But what about bathroom floor and walls ? Does it stain easily ? We have high salt in our water here .
3. We also want to use kota (polished) in our dining room but given the fact that it will be heavy movement area with chairs and tables – even though we will fix rubber/plastic underneath . If not Kota what else would you suggest in rustic/affordable range
4. Lastly we wanted to use Kota also on our big deck like balcony which is half.covered half exposed.
5. Since it’s a farm I wanted to use it in the kitchen
Would love to hear from your expert point of view.
Thanks
we read you blog about kota stone is good description of kota stone
Hi, have a few questions –
a. your article above says Kota stone is non-porous (consistent with other information on the internet) whereas several responses from you noted above indicate that it is porous, can you please clarify.
b. I am considering alternate options to mangalore clay tiles for a terrace of approx 1200 – 1400sq ft. An artcile on houzz recommends a combination of Kota and Jaisalmer stone. What are your thoughts?
c. If not the above, are there any other alternatives that provide good options for terrace (used as a party + landscaped area + gazebo area)? My concerns with Mangalore clay tiles is that they accumulate moss with moisture and require very high maintenance.
My key criteria are easy to maintain, good look, anti-skid (non-slippery surface) and heat resistent. Your thoughts and insights are most appreciated
Hi,
a) I dont know where I have mentioned that it is porous. iT is similar to marble in composition and hence may get stained.
b) Kota is not a good option in an open terrace, because it gets pitted over a period of time under the harsh sunlight.
c) In my experience, I have seen that only good quality clay tiles last long in open terraces because they do not crack, can expand and contract in extreme heat and cold and maintenance-free. Just make sure they are laid with a good gradient, so that water does not stand. that way no moss will accumulate.
Admin
Hi Sir,
Can you suggest me whether KOTA is advisable for Bedroom flooring? Coz I heard it starts flaking very soon?
Hi,
Kota chips but if it is of reasonably good quality and if laid well with even joints, it lasts long. It can be used in bedrooms too.
Admin
Thank you for the reply. Can you please explain the process by with we can achieve the level as I haven’t been able to do so. I have put in one room and there is quite a bit of level difference.
Regards
Dipti
Hi Dipti,
The tile layer will be able to adjust the thicknesses in the cement mortar so that the final surface is one level. Then after that you should polish the floor 5-6 times to get a uniform level.
Admin
Sir,
I want to put leather finished yellow Kota and polished Kota in an alternating design but there is a lot of variation coming in the thickness of slabs. how can I get a level floor keeping both the finishes.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
regards,
Dipti
Hi Dipti,
It will be quite a task for the tile layer because of the alternating design and the varying thicknesses. But it can be done. However you need a very good and patient layer, who may charge you more for the labour involved.
Admin
Sir, I want Name & make of good Epoxy Filler for 5 mm wide & 20 mm deep Joint in Kota Stone Flooring. Area is 625 Sqm.
Hi Rajnesh,
St Gobain, MYK Laticrete are all good epoxy fillers.
Admin
Sir, my house has kota stone flooring for the past 14 years. There’s a problem and need your advice. In the living room area the distilled water from the UPS, which is acidic has overflown from the battery on to the tiles. This has seeped into the tiles and about 3 to 4 tiles have become black and it looks bad. My question to you is can I get these few tiles polished and will it help? Or is it possible to just remove those few tiles and change them? Kota stone flooring has flaked in a few places. Overall would it be a good idea to retain it as it is or go in for a flooring like vitrified or anything else more manageable. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.
Hi Archana,
The blackened tiles cannot be salvaged even with plishing since acid has affected them. So it is better to get them replaced with new stones. However, there will be a difference between the existing and the new stone in colour. If the stones are flaking and they look bad, you could think of changing the whole floor.
Admin
Dear Sir,
I am building a new house. My architect is insisting on Kota flooring all over the house including kitchen bathroom bedroom and living room. But my contractors and family members are insisting on italian marble or vitrified. I want my house simple and rich. Can you please guide me in deciding which tiles shall i go?
Hi Sumit,
Kota is a good choice. However it takes scratches and in that regard marble or vitrified tiles are better options. Italian marble gives a very posh appearance and is very expensive. You could opt for indian marble which is quite good.
Admin
What would be the difference in the cost for 1000 square feet flooring area – Kota stone flooring vs Cement flooring?
Hi,
Basic Cement flooring will cost about Rs 50 per sq.ft. whereas Kota will cost about Rs 150 per sq.ft. This is an average estimate. It may go up or go down depending on the type of Kota used and the specifications of the cement flooring.
Admin
Sir, I am from Kerala.
We are planning for kota blue (mirror finish) in our home Is it a good choice .cost of stone,transportation charge
Regards, abhi
Hi Abhi,
It is a good choice. Cost depends on where you are acquiring the stone from.
Admin
last point what i understand that following are the disadvantages of Kota stone flooring when it is used for car parking where all shorts of vehicle will be passing everyday.
• It is not available in big slab sizes like marble or granite. Kota is a variety of limestone which is very fragile hence it is available in smaller sizes.
• Continuous usage of Kota stone might result in flaking. However if it is well maintained and polished regularly flaking of the stone might be prevented.
• Its surface finish is not so lustrous as marble or granite.
Hi Subodh,
Kota is not a fragile stone but quite strong and can withstand heavy traffic. Only that it is porous, so it can flake and chip easily. All the other points you mentioned are spot on.
Admin
Hi,
NEED YOUR ADVICE ON..
We are thinking of replacing cement flooring with Kota Stone for the entire Group Housing Society in Delhi.. Sir, Do you recommend Kota stone flooring for car parking etc.. to the best of my knowledge 99.9% society in delhi has Cement flooring as this is cheaper and more durableas compared to Kota Stone. We already have cement flooring in our society now thinking to put Kota stone above that.. NEED YOUR ADVICE SO THAT WE CAN TAKE RIGHT DECISION.
Hi Subodh,
Kota is definitely more durable than cement flooring and once laid can last for a long time. Cement floor gets chipped over time. But it is way cheaper than kota. So you have to take the decision based on your preferences and cost factors.
Admin
Hi,
Is there any problem of laying electrical conduit below kota stone flooring in ground floor? Is there any chances of getting electrical shocks as a worst condition? Plz hlep
Hi Esha,
Kota is not a conductor of electricity. But ensure that there are no gaps between the stones.
Admin
hi
im building my house with mud, lime for setting the kota tiles will be a good method?
also what should be the size of kota for kitchen ,living room.
is brown difficult to get.
i am finding it difficult to get the right lime for construction .
Hi Mumtaz,
Lime is a very good material but it is difficult to get and even more difficult to get masons who know how to use it right. Kota is a good option. 1’6″x1’6″ or 2’x2′ sizes are good. Bigger sizes are much more expensive.
Admin
can we use kota stones for the bathroom floor? How often do we need to polish the floor to avoid flaking? How much would be the cost per sq ft for Kota stone? How to choose good quality stone by looking?
Hi Glester,
You can use kota with rough/honed polish in a bathroom. But it is a porous material and will absorb moisture and there will perpetually be damp spots if used in a bathroom.
Admin
Good to know all these..Please let me know the difference between kota stone in kota and tandoor in Rajasthan which is better for me in kerala.prefered thickness for laying exterior..how do i understand the quality of stone..
Hi Afzal Ali,
Thank you. Kota is better than tandoor as it can take more polish. Its always better if you take your tile layer for selection as they have a better idea of good quality stone.
Admin
Hi sir which polish is used on rough kota stone and can we use metal brush for cleaning rough kota stone.
Hi Rahul,
Never use metal brush on kota as it will leave marks.
Admin
What is different between kotta and saga path tiles
which one is better for out side flooring
Hi Mutheeswaran,
Kota stone is better for outdoor flooring.
Admin
Hi
I am trying do Kota flooring in my living room. How do I determine if what I am getting is a good quality?
Also I wanted a honed finish? Is that appropriate for indoors?
Is it possible to get honing easily in Mumbai.
Hi Diksha,
Take your floor layer when you go to select the kota stone. He will be able to choose a good lot. You can get the finish you want depending on the number of polishes of the stone.
Admin
Sir, I want affix something on the roof floor. Need something which on the 1 hand easy to clean and wash and on 2nd hand does not increase the heat as it is a top floor. Kindly suggest the options. If u also can give a idea of cost then it is more helpful for me.
Hi Sumit,
The best option is to go for terracotta tiles as they reduce the heat and are easy to maintain. But make sure you opt for good quality ones as otherwise they may crack and cause leaks inbto the terrace slab. price depends on the quality.
Admin
It’s a very very good site, I want a suggestions form you sir, I have to lay 20000 act flooring for my factory building and confused between Kota & shabad stone my factory is in Tamilnadu & being Rajasthan is very far away logistic cost is more than THE cost of stone can I use shabad as Karnataka is nearer to me is there any problem in future with shabad stone kindly advise.
Regards,
Raviagarwal.
Hi Ravi Agarwal,
Shahbad and kota are almost similar in composition and properties – so you can opt for either one. Since shahbad is available nearby it makes sense to go for that.
Admin
Hi Sir,
We are planning for kota blue (leather finish) in kitchen and verandah. Is it a good choice for kitchen ?
Regards,
Nethra
Hi Nethra,
It is a nice colour and choice. But kota is a porous stone and not really ideal in kitchens.
Admin
Hi,
Thanks for a nice article. We have Kota Stone flooring in our compound and the surface has small pores or pit types. Can these pits be filled during polishing? Is it possible to use pure cement in anyway to fill these small pores?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Prabhakar,
It looks like lower quality kota stones since it is used in the outside. There is no point in trying to fill the pits with cement as it will look shabby and even come off. However polishing might help to smoothen it a bit. But remember it may make the kota too smooth and slippery.
Admin
Sir I want to affix kota stones on roof of my DAD flat. Is this a good idea? Kindly also suggest d colour
Hi Anil,
Do you mean on the terrace? If so, it can get slippery and start coming off due to expansion. It is better to put terracotta tiles or just cement floor.
Admin
Hi, Wonderful article on Kota. Could you tell me what is the thickness available. Could this be directly laid on top of vitrified tiles. Don’t somehow like the feel of vitrified tiles for my new apartment.
Thanks,
Arun
Hi Arun,
Kota stone is around 20mm to 1 inch thick. It cannot be laid on vitrified tiles. It needs to be laid on a bed of cement mortar and then ground and polished.
Admin
Hello Sir, we used koya stone all over my house some 13 years ago. Now almost all joints have chipping. Kindly advise on how to renovate.
Hi Maitri,
Put an epoxy joint filler of the same colour in the joints and repolish it.
Admin
I have recently laid about 800 rough kota stones (22″ x 22 ” on my driveway in Delhi (total area 3200 sq ft) with Udaipur Green Marble strips 4 inches wide (total 1000 Rft). I need to keep my driveway cleaned regularly. Manual cleaning with a brush takes very long. Can you suggest – but no too expensive – options?
Hi Jack,
You could try some high power jet water sprays (Bosch) to clean the driveway.
Admin
What stone and grade is used for polishing kota? Kindly suggest the grade to use on first coat of polish and second coat of polish.
Hi Nakul,
Different grades are used. You will have to ask the polishing person regarding the grade and the polish that you require.
Admin
hello there sir. I appreciate this article. I’ve been recommended by my architect to go for Kota stones as a flooring option. after some research, i seem to like it. but all the granite or stone dealers are surprised when I say it’s for interiors. my contractor is unsure about its usage inside home too. id certainly need your advise as I have to decide soon. is it a good option to have Kota and it’s leather finish (bedroom only)all over the home (living, bed, kitchen)
Hi Ram,
Kota stone is very earthy looking and has a good sheen when polished properly. But its biggest disadvantage is that it takes scratches very easily. Even if you drag a chair, it leaves marks. So in the long run there will be scratch marks in areas of high traffic. But repeated mopping makes it shine even more. So if you are not too bothered about scratches, it is a very nice flooring option in a house. We have used it in some of our projects and it has a kind of rustic and earthy charm. Also it is much cheaper than granite or marble.
Admin
Hello sir
We are planning to use kota glossy polish and leather polish olive green stones. After glossy polish or leather polish it will be slippery or even after polish also it will be un slippery.
In winter stone will be more cool than marble or granite or it will be warm.
Pl advise
Hi Azad,
Glossy polish will make any stone more slippery, when it is wet. Leather polish is more rough and makes it less slippery. I believe Marble is colder in winter than Kota.
Admin
What is the difference between kotta stone and sabbath stone.
Hi Rathi,
I think you are referring to shahbad stone, a variety of limestone from North part of Karnataka bordering Andhra Pradesh. Generally available in grey shades it is easy to work with and economical, lasts long without surface blemishes and easy to maintain. Kota is also very similar in its composition, but has a different colour, (more greenish) and takes scratches. However, regular mopping imparts a very good shine. It is also more easily available.
Admin
We are planning to change the flooring of our small bungalow on both ground floor and first floor. We like the Brown Kota stone with variations in colours.
For interiors like living room etc is it a good choice ? we prefer natural stones rather than the vitrified tiles.
Also which finish would be ideal ? Mirror Polished or any other for our application?
Hi Tushar,
Natural materials are always preferable to manufactured ones. Kota is a good choice. It has to be mirror polished and with regular care and mopping, it will take on a nice natural shine and yet will ot be as slippery as marble. But be aware that kota takes scratches easily, even moving chairs or cots around will cause scratches. So get furniture with rubber shoes.
Admin
Dear Sir,
we have kota stone Grey color, in our office store & Canteen, Machine polished done, but mirror shining is not came, can we use WAX. which type of wax is suitable.Kindly suggest.
Hi Prasad,
Kota stone does not get “mirror shine” unlike marble or granite. Do not use wax as it will make it slippery and also not really improve the shine. But regular sweeping and mopping with water will gradually cause the stone to shine. Then it will have a matured, aged nice shine. But you will have to be patient.
Admin
does kota stone used in external staircase at house ..?
Hi Chavda Ashvin,
Kota is actually one of the most preferred material in external staircases because it does not slip, is water-resistant and cheap.
Admin
how many polishing need for kota flooring
Hi Maha,
At least 5 or 6 times to get a good shine. It also depends on the quality of the stone. Denser stones get a good shine with 4 or 5 polishes.
Admin
Sir’ i want more flooring design of kotastones pl. Send me because i m installing kota in my house.
Hi Manish,
I do not have flooring designs. But usually an experienced tile layer can help you in this matter.
Admin