Natural Stone

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Characteristics of Natural Stone

Marble, granite, travertine, limestone and slate are quarried products. Stones are a natural-honed or polished stone, not factory-made or fired. No two pieces are alike; there are inherent variances in all stone. These characteristics may include color and shade variations, geological flaws, irregular markings, voids, pitting, veins, fissures and lines of minor separations. However, these characteristics are part of the natural beauty of the stone and will not impair the function or wearing qualities of the material.

 

Types of Stone

Granite: Granite is a visible granular, igneous stone; granite generally ranges in color from near-white through the spectrum of golds, pinks, greens and blues, to grays and blacks. Granite consists primarily of quartz, mica and feldspar. Granites are the hardest architectural stone, making them ideal for granite countertops and high-traffic areas.

Limestone: Limestone is a sedimentary stone composed principally of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate), the mineral dolomite (double carbonate of calcium and magnesium), or some combination of the two. Limestone is generally softer and less dense than granite and more homogenous in appearance.

Marble: Marble is a metamorphic stone possessing a distinctive crystalline texture. Marble is composed principally of the carbonate minerals calcite and dolomite, singly or in combination. Marbles are typically softer than granite, and are available in a wide spectrum of color and veining.

Onyx: Onyx is a semi-precious sedimentary gemstone of calcite variety with an extremely fine crystal formation. Onyx is valued for its translucent quality and can be backlit for dramatic effect.

Quartzite: Quartzite is a highly hardened, typical metamorphosed member of the sandstone group. Quartzite can look similar to slate, but is actually harder and denser. Quartzite is also available in slabs.

Sandstone: Sandstone is a sedimentary stone composed mostly of mineral and stone fragments. Sandstone contain a minimum or 60% free silica. Sandstone is a soft, loose-knit stone that has a natural, rustic look.

Shell Stone: Shell Stone is a sedimentary stone found in Florida and Central America, sharing characteristics of limestone, with fossils and shell embedded in its body. Shell stone is a relatively soft, porous stone that retains less heat than denser stone. Shell stone is often used in exteriors near pools.

Slate: Slate is a micro crystalline metamorphic stone commonly derived from shale. Slate is primarily composed of mica, chlorite and quartz. Slates are predominantly available in cleft-finished tiles; ideal for in exterior, non-freeze settings.

Travertine: Travertine is a type of crystalline or micro crystalline limestone with a distinctive layered structure. Some layers in travertine contain pores and cavities which create an open texture. Pores in travertine may be filled or unfilled, depending on the product selected. Travertine is available in warm, earth tones, making it one of the most popular stones for interior and exterior flooring.

 

Types of Finishes

Honed Finish: A smooth, satin (but not shiny) finish on the stone.

Polished Finish: A high-gloss finish attained by machine-grinding and buffing the stone.

Patinato: Refers to a wire-brushed finished, which gives a rustic look.

Flamed: An aggressively-textured finish, achieved by exposing certain types of stones to intense flame.

Sandblasted: A finishing process of blasting the surface of the stone with sand, which yields a rough, porous finish. A custom stencil can be created for a unique design accent.

 

Quartz Edge Profiles

These are the most popular edge details, however, we offer many more.  The cost will depend on the labor involved with your desired design.

 

 

 

Care and Maintenance

Natural stone, when properly sealed, is simple to care for and maintain. Keep your natural stone looking its best by; sweeping, dust-mopping or vacuuming prior to wet-mopping with pH-balanced neutral cleaner or warm water. Do not use vinegar or any cleaners containing acids or strong alkaline agents. Recommend wiping or mopping stone surfaces with warm water or a pH-neutral cleaner, followed by dry-wiping. If you spill acidic juices or alcohol on stone, you should blot dry immediately. Acid-based foods, such as citrus or tomatoes, can etch into the polish of more delicate stones, like marble and onyx. Do not place hot items, such as pots and pans, on any stone other than granite. As a safety precaution, use coaster on granite countertops. To prevent alkaline and soap-scum buildup, use squeegees in shower areas. Other large surfaces, such as flooring are often best cared for by a licensed maintenance company to protect the natural stone.

A quality impregnating sealer penetrates stone, allows the stone to breathe and permits more of the stone’s natural beauty to shine through. Unsealed stone is more susceptible to absorbing moisture, dirt and cleaning chemicals. Malisani Inc carries Tenex sealers and cleaners. We recommend sealing your natural stone, including granite countertops, immediately after installation and on a yearly basis after. A surface needs to be resealed when the surface will not hold a bead of water.

 

Preparing Cabinets

1. Cabinets must be structurally sound, level, and capable of supporting the weight of the stone (11-16 lbs/s.f. for 2cm slab and 16-22 lbs/s.f. for 3 cm slab) and eliminating any flex or movement of the stone to prevent cracking.

2. An unsupported span of 24” and up to a maximum of 36” is acceptable as long as the stone is supported on both sides of the span. Longer spans must be supported across the span.

3. Over hangs should be not exceed 6” for 2cm granite, 10" for 3cm granite and 15" for 3cm quartz beyond the supported area. The supported area must be anchored to keep it from tipping over.

 

Links

Natural Stone Institute: https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org
Arizona Tile: https://www.arizonatile.com/en/gallery/browse-by-material
Stone Collection: https://www.thestonecollection.com/denver
Pental: http://pentalonline.com
MSI: https://www.msistone.com
Bedrosian Tile & Stone: http://www.bedrosians.com/en/