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Natural Stone Flooring
Marble
Marble is a natural, metamorphic stone. It typically has a high polished
surface. As with most stones, natural color variations are part of its
beauty. It is a relatively soft stone and should not be used in applications
where it will be in continuous contact with staining agents, such as
in a kitchen. Polished marble cannot withstand any exposure to acids
such as citric acid from lemon juice. If exposed, it will etch and loose
its shine. Marble is most appropriate for formal, lightly used floors
but it is always in great demand for bathrooms and fireplaces. Not normally
for exterior use. Honed marble is an increasingly popular material for
floors due to its better wear properties, warmer feel and less slick
surface compared to polished. 12" and 18" are common sizes for honed
marble.
Limestone
Granite is a very hard crystalline volcanic rock that can withstand
much more abuse than marble. It is appropriate for kitchen counters,
floors, bathrooms, etc. The polished surface of the stone can be used
in high use residential counters with minimal upkeep. Like all stones,
granite should be sealed after installation to minimize the risk of
a stain occurring.
Slate
Slates are composed of layers or rock, sometimes showing great color
variations from layer to layer. Slate is a very porous stone that must
be sealed for any interior application. The material has a natural clotted
(textured) surface which makes it a very non-slip surface. It can be
used for floors, fireplaces, kitchen backsplashes, etc. Slate makes
an excellent exterior material for patios and walkways.
Tumbled Stone
Tumbled stone is marble, travertine, limestone or slate that is cut
and then tumbled to achieve a very rustic, old-world appearance. They
can range in size from 2" to 16". 4" tumbled marble is extremely popular
for kitchen backsplashes, especially with granite countertops. Tumbled
stones also make very durable, non-slip floors. All tumbled stones should
be sealed with a high quality sealer.
Inlaid Stone Mosaic
Inlaid stone mosaics are created by combining marble or limestone into
intricate decorative patterns. They are normally produced using a high
pressure water jet cutting system which can create delicate curves not
obtainable with normal sheet mounted mosaics. The pieces are then assembled
by hand to a backing that holds them all together, simplifying installation.
Final finishing includes filling the tight seems and sealing the entire
stone surface. The surface finish is normally honed rather than polished.
The finished result is a look unlike any other type of stone border.
This material has become very popular for kitchen backsplashes, fireplaces
and bathrooms. Floor medallions are perfect to create a grand entryway
into your home. Decorative border sizes range from 2" to 6" in width,
10" to 15" in length. Inserts range from 2" to 5". Floor medallions
range from 50" to 72" in diameter.
Naural Stone Flooring Photo Gallery
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