Types Of Stone

There are three main types of rock, sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous.  Sandstones, Limestones and travertines are sedimentary rocks. Marbles and slates are Metamorphic. Granite an igneous rock.

What is limestone?
Is made up of layers of calcium carbonate formed from the building up of organic matter in shallow seas, then turned to stone by millions of years of pressure. Limestones are available in different degrees of density and hardness, some rare limestones are as tough as granite.

What is sandstone?
Composed mainly of sand size mineral or rock grains.  Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the earth's crust.  Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow, red, grey and white.  Some sandstones are resistant to weathering, making sandstone a popular building and paving material.

What is travertine?
Is made up of layers of calcite formed from the building up of organic matter in hot springs and areas with spas.  The stone has a honeycomb structure, where water has run through the material.  When cut this honeycomb structure is exposed and results in holes on the surface.  Holes can be left unfilled which creates a natural surface or they can be filled in and then smoothed off using a finishing process called honing.  Over time small holes may appear on the surface, this is part of the beauty of this stone.

What is marble?
Begins life as limestone, is then crystallised by extremes of heat and pressure.  Its different colours come from chemicals and minerals in the stone.

What is granite?
Formed from liquid magma under the crust of the earth, cooling slowly over extremely long periods of time.  Is an extremely hard stone and has a low porosity.

What is the difference between real natural stone tiles and artificial stone?
Artificial stone can never match the individuality of natural stone.  Manufacturers give this product many different names to confuse matters, some of these are: reconstituted, conglomerate, quartz stone, none of these are natural stone!  Most of the time they cost a lot more because of the amount of manufacturing needed to make them!  Fake stone or artificial stone is made from cement and aggregate with dyes and pigments to colour the product.