Laminate flooring offers the look of hardwood flooring without the cost or the maintenance issues. Laminate is now also made to replicate ceramic tile, natural stone flooring such as granite and slate, and other interesting options.

Slate is one of the most common types of natural stone used for flooring. It's a metamorphic rock that easily splits into thin sheets, which can then be turned into stone tiles. Like other natural stone materials, slate feels cool to the touch.

It also offers slip resistance, which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. Its dark finish is modern and rarely looks dirty. In addition, it's also very easy to clean, just like other natural stone flooring is. Slate tiles are also very cost-effective.

Stone flooring tiles come in many shapes and sizes, from 4x2-foot rectangles to 1-inch-square mosaics. In between, you'll find many square and rectangular sizes to fit your needs.

Prices run the gamut from a relatively cheap $2 per square foot to an eye-popping $100 per square foot. Most home improvement centers offer a good variety of natural stone flooring in the $2 to $15 per square foot range. Pro installation adds $5 to $15 per square foot.