How to Select Natural Stone for Home and Garden
Hello friends, Natural Stone are of various types. A mistake in selecting the right natural stone for your home and garden put you in trouble. We will try our best to give your detailed information on How to select natural stone for your home. In addition to Kitchen, Bathrooms, Drawing room, reception area and your master bedroom. We always recommend to gather a little more information before you select the natural stone for home and garden exterior interior. The detailed information below in the blog page will really help everyone to select natural stone exactly as per his or her requirement.
First of all, the Natural stone as the name defines is procured from Nature, buried inside the earth crust. We call it quarries of Natural stones, which are found in different areas of India and World. Especially The formation of natural stone is a long process of decades below the earth crust. We don’t want you to take you to the process of Natural stone formation.
Here are the main Categories of Natural stone found in Indian and the World. GRANITE, MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, SLATE, QUARTZITE, SANDSTONE, LIMESTONE, SEMIPRECIOUS STONE AND PRECIOUS STONE.
Tip Number 1
Every Stone has different Characteristics and Technical Specifications (ASTM Data). Especially the Technical specification or ASTM Data tell us about Water Absorption, Density and Compressive Strength of the Stone. Further a Common man can easily understand the Water Absorption, which is a big factor to understand the porosity of Natural Stone. Especially water absorption percentage tell us, how much water that stone absorb when dipped into the water. The water absorption percentage shows the stone is weaker than other stone in comparison. Most of all One type of Stone (Example: Granite) has different Water absorption %. Need not to be confused. Check Water absorption mainly along with its density. Absolute Black Granite and Black Galaxy Granite are more Stronger then Kashmir Gold or Madura Gold Granite.
Tip Number 2
Strength of Different Varieties of Natural Stones. Precious Stones are used Mainly in Jewelry and are very costly natural stone. Example; Diamond.
Other Natural Stone like Granite, marble, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Limestone, Travertine and Semiprecious Stones are used as Building stone for decorating wall, floor, Kitchen, Garden. Especially all the indoor and outdoor.
The hardest is Granite > Semiprecious > Marble > Limestone > Sandstone > Quartzite > Travertine > Slate. Finally Slate is soft rock. It is mainly recommended to use on walls.
Tip Number 3
Taking the above two tips in consideration, we should select the stone depending on the area of use. Example ; Interior Exterior, Flooring Interior with low traffic. Flooring exterior with high traffic. In addition Walls of Interior or exterior of building. Especially Garden and Landscaping area. In addition to Kitchen countertops and Bathroom floors and walls.
Lets first describe each type of stone first and then at last we will recommend the Natural Stones best use.
Soft Stones for Home and Garden :-
SLATE STONE: These are the softest stone and can be pealed out with any regular pressure. These are recommended for wall cladding and low traffic floors; Example Bedroom with proper sealing. Slate stones are processed in Natural split and Polish Slate but the beauty of this stone is different in Natural and in Polished finish. These are available in Tile and small size. Various type of Stone Mosaic, Ledgestone tiles are processed for interior and exterior walls. In addition it is used as Kitchen Backsplash.
QUARTZITE STONE: These are harder then slate, due to quartz particles present in it and are mostly used for interior wall cladding and flooring purposes. Further these are also used as Table tops and counters in different finishes. Quartzite Stone are available in Natural, Tumble, Polish and Leather finish. Natural, polish and Leather finish, have different look. Further different finishes especially pull out the beauty escaped in the depth of natural stone. Sizes available are Tile and small slab size.
TRAVERTINE STONE: Travertine stone is more porous then Marble and so called a soft stone. It has tiny holes on the surface and this adds to the beauty of stone. Especially these are mostly used to give an antique look to the wall. Natural finish Travertine look antique and mostly available in small size for Stone Mosaic and tile sizes.
Hard Natural Stone for Paving Slabs in your Garden or exterior.
SANDSTONE: Sandstone is especially Called as Paving Stones. Especially Sandstone is processed in different finishes like Natural Split, Polish, Fired, Sanded, Bush hammered, Tumbled and leather. In addition different Sandstone has different water absorption percentage which furthermore differentiate the strength. Some Sandstone are very hard and some are less. But overall all the Sandstone can be used as Paving stones for Exterior floor, wall or Garden Landscape. Various applications for Cladding and garden/pathway flooring. In addition to Interior walls in Natural, polished, sandblasted n brushed finish.
Some of the Sandstone absorbs water very fast and it can Stand apart in heavy hot and cold temperatures without showing any weather effects. Outside floors are recommended in Natural finish only. Furthermore Sandstone is available in Tile Size, small Slabs and also in big Slab sizes. In addition various type of Stone Mosaic and Ledgestone tiles are processed with Sandstone.
LIMESTONE: Harder then Sandstone, Less porous as compared to Sandstone. Nice polish finish can be processed which was not possible in soft Sandstone. Furthermore it is more brittle. The heavy traffic area flooring is recommended in Polish/Honed finish and exterior in Natural finish. Further Limestone is best used as landscaping stone for Garden, Exterior or Pathway. We can use it for Wall Cladding in Natural, polished or honed finish. Due to the smoothness of this stone, these are very much recommended in Natural finish Steps, Benches, Garden Table tops etc. These are available in Tiles and small slab sizes.
GRANITE AND MARBLE :-
MARBLE: Marble is a type of Limestone, it is basically more smooth in Natural and give an attracting antique look to the floor, wall or any countertop. Polished and Leather finish is processed in Marble. Furthermore Marble is available in tiles and Big size slabs. Some of the Marble like Rainforest Green, Rainforest Brown and Fantasy Brown has a classic leather finish which is best recommended for any wall or showcase interior. Especially marble being a soft and beautiful stone it is preferred to use in Stone Mosaics and various Stone Articles like Stone Sculptures, Decorative Elephant, Marble Camel, marble designer Plates, Balustrades, Stone fountain, Stone balls and Various decorative items.
GRANITE: A Very Hard stone in the Stone family. It is preferred to use as Kitchen Countertops, Vanity Tops, Flooring Tiles, Wall Tiles, Stone Basin, Stone Monuments, Stone Balls, Decorative Articles. Furthermore It is used in interior as well as exteriors. We recommend to use different finishes as per the area of use. Certainly Granite is Processed in different finish like Polish, Honed, fired, sanded and leather. Sizes, It is processed in Tile size, small slab size, Countertops and Big Slab size say 300x200cm.
SEMIPRECIOUS STONE :- Some of the semiprecious stone are very hard and some are soft. Especially semiprecious stone take very fine glossy polish which further enhance the beauty of stone. Semiprecious stones are very costly. These are available in very small size but finally processed to prepare in big size countertop as well as small tiles. Especially due to its fine polish quality it is mostly used for decorating a special area either ordinary of by backlit.
Natural stone guide to help you for the right selection.
Stone Products:- Apart from Tiles, Slab, Countertops, Steps and Riser, below are few more stone products.
Stone Mosaics :- Stone Mosaics Tile are made by assembling small pieces of Stones in various finishes and sizes. Different finishes like Split face, Sanded and Carving give a different look to any wall used with these stone mosaics. Further Stone Mosaic are processed in various assembled sizes Example; 10x30cm, 15x60cm or 30x30cm. Stone Mosaics are prepared from Marble, Sandstone, Quartzite or Slate Stone. Ledgestone tiles are processed especially in the size of 15x60cm with Split face to be further used on wall covering, fireplace walls, showcase walls or any interior or exterior walls. Ledgestone is processed from Slate, Quartzite and Sandstone.
STONE ARTICLE :- Stone Articles are the processed mainly from Marble and Sandstone. Various types of Stone Articles are Decorative Marble figures, Marble fountains, marble Balustrades, Marble decorative. Sandstone is used in various Stone fountain, Planters, Vases, Birth Bath, Stone Balls, Stone benches, Garden ornaments etc.
Pebbles and Cobbles for house exteriors :-
Pebbles for Garden :- Pebbles are the round stones which are smooth and round with the effect of flow of river water and known as River Pebbles. Moreover Stone Pebbles are also prepared manually with machines by Vibrating process. This can be processed in either rough finish or Polish finish in various Sandstone and Marble. Pebbles are used mainly to decorate any Garden or living space. Pebbles for Garden is always the first choice.
Cobblestone:- These are prepared with Hard Sandstone and Granite. Especially Granite Cobbles and Sandstone cobbles are very hard and used for exterior paving, Garden Landscape, Driveways and pathways for heavy traffic areas. Especially these are processed from Hard Sandstone or Granite in Natural finish by splitting the edges by hand in various size 14x14cm, 10x10cm, 20x10cm in thickness of 4-6cm, 5-7cm, 6-8cm etc. Cobblestone are tapering from top to bottom to give the best joints to the stone.
Modern Concept to use the Thin Slate Cladding
FLEXIBLE STONE VENEER :- This is a modern concept to peal the stone and provide a very thin stone sheets for any surface either it is curved for straight. Further Stone Veneer are processed from Slate Stone, Marble and Sandstone. Not to be confused it is a natural stone. The Top layer is 0.5 mm approx. is pealed out from the stone surface to give the exact same look. It is further supported and backed by fiber mesh and adhesive of approx. 1 mm to serve you with the sheet thickness of approx. 1.5 mm to 2mm.
Special Benefits and quality of Stone veneer:- Stone Veneer are flexible and can be used on any curved surface. Lightweight make it easy to transport, which is cost effective and it saves the earth stone. Large format sizes are available. Easy to install. Quick delivery. A Small box contain approx. 200 sheets which is almost 1500 Square foot. Flexible stone are also processed in Translucent type which is further used as Backlit stone. Recommended to be used on False ceiling and any decorative area.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON DIFFERENT NATURAL STONES:-
Recommendations for Granite :-
Few Granite are Hard and few are soft. It is better to used Hard Granite on Kitchen Countertops. Absolute Black, Black Galaxy, Jhansi Red Granite are very hard Granite. Soft Granite can be used on floors and walls. Multicolor red, Mari gold, Desert Brown, Paradiso, Delicatus white are soft stones best recommended for floors and walls. Please also note that all the Granite and Marble are well treated with resin to fill all the tiny holes which made them more strong.
Recommendations for Slate Quartzite:-
Slates like Indian Autumn, California Gold, Peacock Multicolor are preferred to use on walls. Slate Quartzite like Silver Grey, Copper, Green Gold, Jack Multicolor and Jack Black are very hard Slate quartzite and best recommended to be used on any floor or walls.
Recommendations for Sandstone :-
The Hardest Sandstone are Kandla Grey, Autumn Brown, Mandana Red, Buff, Beige Sandstone and Red Sandstone. Best Recommended for Paving slabs and patio stones. Whereas Beige Sandstone and Red Sandstone is also recommended for any Wall façade in Split face finish or Polish finish.
Dear friends, we have tried our best to describe all the details but knowledge could not be limited in words still there are many things. We always try our best to recommend the right natural stone for home and garden so no one have the confusion how to select natural stone for home and garden. Select Natural stone is not really as very easy task but knowledge really help in it.
Dharti Crate will be happy, if you send us messages or write us your questions. We will try to reply every question within 24 hours or a working day for the best support.
We are serving international stone market from last 26 years and assure you the best stone from our basket.
If you are planning to build a home or you are a architect, designer, wholesaler? Wish to select natural stone, please write us with your interest. Send an email with your requirement of natural stone for home and garden. It will be our pleasure to help you with our best suggestions.
Thanking you,
Nagendra Naruka
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