"Natural Stones" refers to a number of products quarried from the earth’s crust, used over many thousands of years as building materials and decorative enhancements. These products include Granite, Marble, Travertine, Limestone, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Onyx, and others. They are more than just rocks – natural stone is hand selected from the best, most consistent sources for durability and beauty.
Natural stone products differ in colour, composition and texture even among pieces from the same block. This is usually considered a benefit, lending itself to one of a kind designs and distinctive, dramatic applications.
Natural stone is prized its distinctive beauty and the sense of peaceful tranquillity it creates, but there are also many practical benefits to using natural stone in your home. These products are more durable than many artificial products, often lasting for decades with very little maintenance. With natural stone there are no worries about exposure to harmful chemicals in the home or released into the environment during production or disposal. Why invest time and money into a look-alike? Natural stone is the real thing that the artificial products try to emulate.
Some types of stone are better suited for interior applications than exterior because they cannot withstand harsh weather extremes and may crack, crumble, or fade. Also, stones with naturally slip-resistant surfaces are better for outdoor walkways or patios than those with smooth, polished surfaces. Some multi-coloured slates bleed colour upon contact with water.
Granite: Granite is almost non porous stone which is quarried in blocks and cut into slabs.Granite is a light-colored igneous rock with grains large enough to be visible with the unaided eye. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray, or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.
Marble: Marble is porous and is not recommended for kitchen. However if someone only had their kitchen for show then marble can be used. Marble is soft, permeable and vulnerable to stains and used mostly in bathrooms. If lemon or any acidic foods contact the countertop the shine will come off.
Quartz: Quartz is an abundant gemstone, and it makes an ideal countertop in many ways. Combine ground quartz with coloring pigment and a binding agent. Quartz is the most durable manufactured countertops in the market.
Stones can be produced Mirror Polished, Honed, Sand Blasted, Leather, Lapatora, River Wash, Bush Hammered, Acid Wash, Steak.
Maintenance of granite and quartz surfaces is easy. For daily cleaning, a non-abrasive dishwashing liquid is recommended. Although granite is very solid and nearly non-porous, spills left on the surfaces for an extended time period may leave some residual staining - even if sealed properly. Most stains usually dissipate over time on their own.
Granite is nearly impervious to typical kitchen cooking temperatures, though you may wish to avoid any risk of damage by using hot-pads or trivets.
Availability, locations of quarries in the world (due to transportation expenses), the rarity of the color, and the amount of labor required to extract the stones all aspects affect the price of natural stone. Higher price doesn't mean higher quality.
Granite and marble are creations of nature that have a unique natural beauty that has been used in architecture throughout the ages. Since granite and marble are made by nature, each piece is unique and matchless. These slight irregularities are what will make your project unique and different from any other. Other factors to be taken into account while purchasing are:
Granite is highly resistant to scratching, cracking and staining, and is impervious to heat. Daily kitchen activities pose no problem and it can take a hot pot without the use of a trivet. This makes granite an ideal choice for countertops.