STONE LIBRARY
Natural stone product descriptions
Marble, granite, limestone, travertine and slate products are powerful enhancements to any building project intended
to be "lasting and unique". Our goal is to simplify and clarify the purchasing
process for you.
Marble building products are processed from blocks
that are quarried all over the world. This metamorphic rock is comprised
primarily of calcium carbonate and other minerals that create a wide
variety of colors. Applications include floor tiles, wall tiles, vanities and other surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables, steps, thresholds and windowsills.
Marble is a metamorphic rock caused from the re-crystallization of
limestone. Commercially, all calcareous rocks, which are created by
nature and are capable of taking a polish, are called marbles.
The
groupings a, b, c, and d should be taken into account when specifying
marble, due to the fact that all marbles are not suitable for all
building applications. This is true for the comparatively fragile marbles
categorized under groups c and d, which may require additional fabrication
before or at the time of installation. These four groups are listed
below:
Group a: sound marble with uniform and favorable
working qualities; containing no geological flaws or voids.
Group b: marble similar in character to group a,
but with somewhat less favorable working qualities; may have normal faults;
a limited amount of washing, sticking, and filling may be necessary.
Group c: marble with some variations in working
qualities: geological flaws, voids, veins, and lines of separation
should be expected. It is standard practice to repair the variations
by one or more of several methods: washing, sticking, filling or cementing.
Liners and other forms of reinforcement are used when needed.
Group d: marble similar to group c, but containing
a larger amount of natural faults, maximum variations in working qualities,
and requiring more of the same methods of finishing. This group consists
of the highly colored marbles prized for their decorative values.
The classifications merely indicate what method and amount
of repair and fabrication is needed before or during installation,
based on standard trade practices.
Marble Variations
Limited color variation: relatively uniform in background,
veining and/or movement.
Moderate color variation: the background color has
some variation and some veining; movement may appear. Viewing prior
to installation is suggested.
Extreme color variation: the background color has
significant variations and contrast. Veining variation as well as
movement may be inconsistent. Inspection prior to installation is strongly
suggested.
Limestone
Limestone is a sandy sedimentary
rock formed closer to the earth's surface and often captures
fossilized plant and animal life. Similar to marble and
granite, limestone is processed for a wide range of interior and exterior
building applications, including floor tiles, wall tiles,
vanities & other
surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables,
steps, thresholds & windowsills.
Limestone can be polished to a high gloss finish, but
is more commonly known for its honed (matte), tumbled (antique
or acid washed) and natural (split face or rough) finishes, typically
in more neutral tones.
Limestone is defined as a rock
of sedimentary origin composed mainly of calcium carbonate or
the double carbonate of calcium and magnesium, or a combination of
both two minerals.
Re-crystallized limestones, compact microcrystalline
limestones, and travertines that are capable of taking
a polish are marketed and sold as either limestone or marble.
Dimension limestone
is divided into three sub-classifications that describe their
densities in the approximate ranges as listed:
Low-density: limestone with a density ranging from
110 to 135 lb/ft3 (1760 to 2160 kg/m3).
Medium density: limestone having a density greater
than 135 but not greater than 160 lb/ft3 (2160 to 2560 kg/m3).
High-density: limestone having a density
greater than 160 lb/ft3 (2560 kg/m3).
Limestone contains a number of
distinguishable natural characteristics, including calcite spots
or streaks, fossils or shell formations, pit holes, reedy formations,
open texture streaks, honeycomb formations, iron spots, travertine-like
formations and grain formation changes. One or a combination of these
characteristics will affect the texture.
Travertine
Travertine, mostly
known for its porosity, is comprised primarily
of calcium carbonate. Slabs and tiles are
cut from blocks in a vein-cut or a cross-cut. Processors
of this material will market the stone
as is, with the holes for a more rustic and antique
look. Or processors will fill the holes with a tinted epoxy
and hone or polish the surface to achieve a
solid surface effect. The stone is used in
a wide range of interior and exterior building
applications, including floor tiles, wall tiles,
vanities and other
surfaces, fireplaces, columns, balustrades,
water tables, steps, thresholds and windowsills.
Slate
Slate, is a fine-grained
metamorphic rock that splits into thin,
smooth-surfaced layers. The most common building
applications for this material are floor, wall
and roof tiles as well as fireplace surrounds. Tiles
can be split and cut-to-size with only the natural
cleft surface, or manufacturers will add value
by calibrating the material to ensure a consistent thickness
throughout the piece.
Granite
Granite is the most durable
architectural building stone. This
igneous rock is comprised mainly of quartz, graphite, mica
and other minerals. The increasing popularity
of this stone is a testament to its beauty, versatility
and consistency. Used in a wide array of commercial
and residential applications, granite is ideal
for tile floors, walls and countertops, as well as exterior
applications such as pavers and wall cladding.
Granite is quarried worldwide, with the most exotic colors
coming from Brazil, India, Finland, North America,
China and southern Africa. New quarries are discovered
each year further enhancing color choices and
keeping prices competitive.
