As a building material, natural stone is unparalleled in strength, warmth and lasting resilience. Whether used for a kitchen or bathroom countertop, a tiled floor, or a fireplace surround, stone adds impact and can last a lifetime. There are different types of stone – such as granite, marble, slate, travertine, and limestone – each exhibiting different characteristics to help you make the best choices for your lifestyle. There are pros and cons to each type of stone, and your sales representative at Flemington Granite will help you make the right choice for your specific need.
Here are some brief definitions of the most commonly used stones.
Granite – Granite is the oldest, strongest, and hardest stone available. It
combines strength and beauty, is offered in a broad color range, and there
is plenty of size and finish options available. Because it is heat and acid resistant, granite is the most highly recommended material for all countertops, especially kitchens. Although it is slightly porous which makes it susceptible to some staining, it is still the most durable of the natural stones.
Marble – Marble offers rich and unusual color tones, a beautiful mirror like finish, and dramatic veining; characteristics which bear a feeling of elegance and formality. Due to its porosity and tendency toward staining, maintaining the original mirror like finish may be a challenge. Because marble is not as durable as granite, it is more often recommended for areas less susceptible to wear and tear such as bathroom vanities or fireplaces.
Slate – Slate emits an exceptional warmth and texture that can be interpreted as rustic or contemporary depending on the surrounding design elements. In its natural state, slate comes in a cleft like finish, and because of its denseness and strength is highly recommended for kitchen countertops or floors. Options for assorted surface finishes add to the versatility of the stone, however a honed (matte-like) finish is more preferable for countertops.
Travertine – In its natural state, Travertine embodies surface pits and depressions, which is why this natural stone exudes a feeling of antique and old-world style. Travertine's color palette normally remains within the earth tones, and its primary characteristic is that it never appears as one solid color but as variations of tone on tone color with multiple veining characteristics. Because Travertine has a tendency to stain or scratch, it is more highly recommended for less traffic area floors.
Limestone - Soft and smooth with minimal surface holes and variations, limestone sets a very modern feel and works well in contemporary settings. The color palette is mainly natural earth tones. Some limestone types are softer than others, rendering them not as advisable for kitchen countertops or high traffic floor areas.
