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The
characteristics of stone explain why different
types of stone are useful for different
purposes. At Rocky Mountain Stone, we
want to be sure you understand the delicate
differences so you can choose the stone
that's right for your home, business or
your clients. Use this guide as a beginning
to the learning process. Then stop in
and see for yourself how stone can make
a beautiful addition to any project.
Types
of Stone
Granite:
Nothing is more beautiful or more
practical than a countertop of natural
granite. Granite comes in an extraordinary
palette of colors ranging from subtle
to dazzling in intensity, as each granite
color comes from a different quarry -
and no two quarries in the world will
yield the same color. Granite is typically
made up of three minerals; quartz, feldspar
and mica. Because granite is typically
the hardest of the dimensional stones
and withstands the elements very well,
it's considered the best choice for kitchen
countertops. Granite resists scratching,
and is stain and heat resistant. It is
also suitable for flooring or paving,
wall cladding, all other types of countertops
and tombstones. You can enjoy the beautiful
look of granite for either exterior or
interior applications.
Information
about radon in granite. Is it a legitimate
concern? Read
more...
Travertine:
It's mesmerizing. Each time you look
at a piece of travertine, you'll find
yourself seeing something different. Travertine
is formed in hot springs and gets its
enchanting look when hot water passes
through limestone beds. The water dissolves
calcium from the limestone and moves it
to the surface of the bed. When the water
evaporates it leaves calcium crystals
in layers on the surface. This is what
gives travertine its characteristic bedding
planes. The holes that occur between bedding
planes of the stone are caused by air
trapped below the surface of the deposited
stone.
Travertine
comes in several shades of creme/beige,
brown, pink and gold, and is available
in different tile sizes and slab thicknesses.
Commonly used for flooring, wall cladding,
vanity tops, fireplace surrounds and furniture,
travertine is an excellent choice for
diverse applications.
Marble:
When you think of luxury and stone,
you think of marble. Marble is basically
metamorphosed limestone. Once limestone
is subjected to heat and pressure, the
calcium carbonate re-crystallizes into
marble. There are several types of marble;
calcite, dolomite, serpentine and travertine.
Each of these is similar in their composition,
that being predominately calcium carbonate,
and their capability to take a polish.
Marble works will in both interior and
exterior applications, but remember that
with today's environment, containing so
many pollutants, a polished finish on
exterior marble will normally not last.
Limestone:
When your bring limestone into your
home and business designs, you bring a
stunning dimension of history and raw
beauty. Limestone is typically formed
over many years at the bottom of oceans
or lakes from the accumulation of shells,
bones and other calcium rich goods. If
this limestone is subjected to intense
heat or pressure and a few millennia,
a crystallization will occur and the limestone
will become a "true marble."
Chemically they are both still calcium
carbonate, but the marble will have crystalline
structure and the limestone will have
relatively flat appearance. Limestone
that has magnesium in it is called "dolomitic
limestone" and is much harder and
more resistant to weathering. Limestone
are typically used for flooring, wall
cladding, vanity tops, furniture and ornate
stonework.
Slate/Sandstone:
When your design call for the texture
and natural ambiance of form and function
these should be your choices. Slate and
Sandstone are both sedimentary stones,
usually formed as a result of quartz stones
being eroded and redeposited by either
water or wind. Sandstone consists of larger
grain particles than slate. If sandstone
is subject to heat and pressure, it will
eventually turn into quartzite, an incredibly
hard and dense material. Slate consists
of similar particles that are typically
much smaller in size. Most of these materials
are taken out of the ground one piece
at a time and will have a "natural
cleft" finish, which is the natural
bedding plane of the material. The natural
cleft finish is rougher that a sawn finish,
which makes it ideal for flooring applications.
Most slate and sandstone is suitable for
both interior or exterior applications.
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