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Dimensional
stone is defined as blocks of natural stone or slabs of materials
such as limestone, granite, marble, sandstone, and travertine. These
are found in great abundance all over the world and are extracted
from the ground in mines and quarries. Commercially, any stone that
can take a polish – except granite – is referred to
as marble. Travertine, onyx, serpentine, and limestone are some
of the stones known as marble.
•
North American stone usually is available in 12 inch, 16 inch, 18
inch, and 24 inch square units. Slabs are typically 20mm –
¾ inch – in thickness and 4-to-7 feet tall by 8-to-11
inches in length.
• Natural stone can be ordered in slab form, but is usually
cut into tiles from quarried blocks of granite, marble, limestone,
slate, or other rock.
• Natural stone is classified into two categories: siliceous
stone (granite, quartz-based stone, serpentine, slate, soapstone)
and calcareous stone (limestones, marble, onyx, travertine). Both
stones are durable and easy to maintain, but calcareous stones are
more sensitive to acids and strong alkaline compounds.
• Textured, unpolished stone is more porous than one that
is smooth and polished.
TYPES OF STONES
GRANITE:
• Granite is quarried from the mountains of Italy, the United
States, India, and others.
• The color of granite depends on the proportions and varieties
of minerals, such as feldspar, in it. Small flecks appear throughout
the stone, creating a “salt and pepper” look. The most
common colors found are: gray, green, and red.
• It is ideal for countertops, floors, and other heavily used
surfaces. It is highly durable and well-suited for exteriors such
as cladding, paving, and curbing as well.
• Granite resists heat, is one of the most bacteria-resistant
surfaces, and is not affected by citric acid, coffee, tea, alcohol,
or wine. It is nearly impossible to scratch, and with proper cleaning,
will not stain.
LIMESTONE:
• Limestone is commonly formed from ancient seashells and
corals in tropical to sub-tropical areas in shallow waters of up
to 50 feet. The formation happens when, given millions of years,
layer upon layer causes solidification from the shear weight.
• Limestone is usually available only in unpolished form,
but some are hard and dense enough to be polished.
• Most domestic limestone is gray to buff in color, while
some pastel shades of yellow to pink are available. Imported limestone
ranges in colors from light beige to dark brown, red and black.
• It is the softest of the dimensional stones used today,
making it the most affordable. Because it is readily available and
affordable, it is widely used as a building stone. Other uses are:
as countertops, flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding, and
exterior paving.
SLATE:
• Slate is hard, dense, and fine-grained rock that splits
into thin slabs as recrystallization under pressure occurs. These
thin slabs are known as slaty cleavage. Slates are formed from clays,
shale, volcanic ash, and other fine-grained rocks.
• Quartz, sericite, chlorite, titanium oxide, and iron oxides
are the minerals present in slate.
• It is uniform in color and available in shades such as dark-to-light
green, mottled purple, black, gray, and dark red. Veined patterns
come from overseas as well.
• Unless it has been honed to a smooth surface, slate is often
recognized for its distinct cleft pattern.
SANDSTONE:
• Sandstone is made of sand-sized grains of minerals such
as quartz and feldspar, or older rocks held together by one of several
types of cement or fine, muddy substances.
• Colors, composition, texture of grains, and the degree of
cementation and layering vary from stone-to-stone.
• Common colors are: grey, tan, and red.
• Ripple marks and animal trails may appear on the bedding
of sandstone.
• Some common uses for sandstone include: kitchen countertops,
fireplace facings, tabletops, chimneys, garden walls, patio benches,
and poolside.
QUARTZITE:
• Quartzite is formed from sandstone or chert that has been
heated and recrystallized.
• Exposed quartzite is resistant to weathering and commonly
propel as high hills and ridges.
TRAVERTINE:
• Travertine is a limestone that is formed in pools by the
slow precipitation of hot, rich-in-minerals spring water.
• Classic travertine is recognized by its naturally neutral
color and homogenous ecru to dark colors. Color availability ranges
from dark reds to dark brown veining.
• Because it is resistant to staining, wear, and traffic,
people often combine travertine and a tumbled finish to create an
antique look. It is commonly used for: interior and exterior wall
cladding, interior and exterior paving, statues, and curbing.
SOAPSTONE:
• Soapstone is a stone characterized by a “soapy”
feeling when touched.
• Colors range from dark grey to bluish- or greenish-grey.
• Soapstone is heat-, chemical-, stain-, and weather-resistant.
• It is often used as sink and laboratory tops and in other
areas where fire-resistant work surfaces are needed.
ONYX:
• Onyx is usually formed in caves.
• Onyx is a translucent, layered calcitic marble that is often
pastel in color.
• It is often used for interior wall coverings, as well as
for tabletops, very light duty residential flooring, and as exteriors
in warmer environments.
Once
you have selected which type of stone you are going to use, you
must decide which kind of finish you would prefer. Below is a basic
guideline:
POLISHED
STONE:
• Polished stone has a glossy surface that reflects light
and emphasizes the marking of the stones.
• It is typically used on walls, furniture, and floor tiles.
• Heavy traffic will wear off a polished finish.
HONED
STONE:
• Honed stone has been ground flat, but is not polished.
• It has a satin-smooth surface with relatively little light
reflection.
• It is recommended for floors, stair treads, thresholds.
FLAMED
FINISH:
• It has a rough-textured surface.
• This finish is used frequently on granite.
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