Tips to follow before selecting Natural Stones for Your Home

TIPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE SELECTING NATURAL STONES FOR YOUR HOME

Introduction • Since ancient times we are using natural stones as a premium construction material. After the invention and propagation of cement-concrete based materials, we experienced a slowdown in the use of natural stones. Recent improvements in quarrying, cutting, and supplying technologies, natural stones are no more a luxury material for our homes. • It creates a lot of confusion for homeowners as well as contractors to take right decisions regarding stones. To help them out, here, I am going to give some useful tips when choosing natural stones the best ways.

1. Choose Right Stone Types for Right Places • Fundamentally, we know natural rocks are of three main categories based on their origins. Igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. We use all three types of rocks in our construction projects under the titles of different species.

Stone Types Quartzite

Granite Travertine Slate

Interior Spaces Kitchen countertops, cabinet-tops, tabletops, floors, and other heavily used surfaces.

Same as above Same as above

Exterior Spaces Faรงade, porch, and patio paving. Pool decks, paths, walkways, and driveways.

Same as above Same as above plus stone furniture.

Kitchen countertops, Faรงade & patio fireplace facing, and paving, paths floors paving, pool decks, and Roofs.

Stone Types Sandstone

Interior Spaces Structural elements in stacked walls, trims, and pillars.

Also in floors

Limestone

Same as above

Exterior Spaces Architectural elements in stacked walls, trims, and posts. Patio paving.

In stone-based furniture.

Same as above

Bluestone

Same as above

Same as above

Marbles

Mostly for flooring in all interior spaces.

Wall cladding for luxurious homes.

Structural elements like columns.

Pool and patio paving, exterior wall cladding, windows sills, and headers.

2. Create Aesthetic Appeal for Spaces Using Natural Stones

3. Selection of Appropriate Hues of Colors of Natural Stones in a Theme • No.1: Darker shades of colors are advisable where chances of frequent staining are high, for instance, various countertops, including kitchen countertops, cabinet tops, dining tabletops, and basin tops. Don’t worry if the rests of ambiance have brighter colors because it can give you a contrasting appeal.

• No.2: Dark colors easily hide watermarks, fingerprints, and a layer of dust on the surfaces. If you have an outdoor barbeque or kitchen facilities for frequent parties, dark hues are the right choices.

• No.3: Brighter colors have a spatial property that it can expand the small spaces into psychologically large. It also can create a calm ambiance when applied in large or open spaces surrounded by natural greenery. Thereby, garden patios and swimming pools tend to be white or very bright colored.

4 – Selection of Textures & Patterns of Natural Stones in a Theme

5 – Selection of Right Effects of Natural Stones in a Theme • Rustic Effects Natural Stones:

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It is a natural and earthy effect. The texture is prominent on the surfaces of stones. Colors look earthy.

Casual Effects of Natural Stones: A synergy runs among the floor, steps, walls, pillars, and structural features when you use natural stones.

Warm Effects Natural Stones:

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The entire ambiance seems welcoming and warm.

Inviting Effects of Natural Stones: Travertine floors, wall cladding with granite stones, and stacked stones in pillars/columns exert inviting impacts on the mind of onlookers.

Elegant Effects of Natural Stones: Fine textured marbles leave elegant effects to your faรงade.

6 – Make Right Choice for Natural Stone Surface Finishes to Create Viable Spaces Natural Finishing

Bush Hammered Stone Finishing

Polished stone Finishing

Sandblasted Stone Finishing

Tumbled Stone Finishing

Mushroom Stone Finishing

7 – Check the Hardness of Natural Stones According to Applications

Check hardness of sandstone by creating scratch on the glass surface. It indicates that it is harder than glass.

Similarly, check harness of marble by making scratch using steel knife so we can say marble is softer than steel.

Minerals in Stones

Moh’s Scale

Talc

1

Easy to scratch with thumbnail

Gypsum

2

Tough to scratch with thumbnail

Calcites

3

Easy to cut by a knife

Fluorite

4

Somewhat tricky to cut by a knife

Apatite

5

Difficult to cut by a knife

Feldspar

6

Tougher to cut by a steel knife

Quartz

7

Not to cut by a knife

8

It can scratch glasses or softer material

Topaz

Hardness Test

8 – Examine the Durability of Natural Stones • Splitting: Most of the stones have layers and Slate, or Schist has pronounced.

• Crumbling: Stones have grains means pockets of a particular kind of mineral deposition in a specific fashion.

• Cracking: Some cracks in the rocks occur naturally that is called Fissures while human originated breaks are pure cracks!

9 – Look at Stain Resistance Properties of Natural Stones Stone Types

Water Absorption Typical Range (In Weight %)

ASTM Spec.

Standard Requirements

Granite

0.8-1

C615

0.40

Marble

0.8-0.04

C503

0.20

Sandstone

12-0.3

C616

8(S) 3(QS)

Limestone

26-0.08

C568

12(LD) 7.5(MD) 3.0(HD)

Slate

6-0.3

C629

0.45

10 – Measure Strength Properties of Natural Stones

11 – Consider Wear & Tear Aspects of Natural Stones According to Applications • Judging wear & tear means determining the lifespan of the natural stones. Abrasion of stones can take place due to scratching, scuffing, wearing down, rubbing away, or marring like processes.

12 – Consider the Costs of Natural Stones According to Applications • The cost of natural stones for your projects much depends on two things. Vicinity of stone supplier and installation charges.

Fortunately, with the advent of transportation and shipping technologies as well as facilities, we can get our orders quickly even from the offshore suppliers with competitive rates.

Conclusion • World of Stones USA is an ideal destination to get costeffective natural stones for your outdoor applications. You have enough opportunities to explore a massive inventory of stones. Moreover, you will get free of charge consultation services to obtain the best selection according to your bespoke requirements and budget.

Thank You Contact Us https://worldofstonesusa.com info@worldofstonesusa.com

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