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Granite Granite is an igneous rock, which means it was once molten
and formed as it cooled deep within the earth. Minerals within granite typically appear as small flecks throughout the stone, once creating a "salt and pepper" look. Other types have veining similar to marble.
Granite is a dense-grained, hard stone. It can be highly polished or finished in a variety of other ways. A broad spectrum of color is available.Most common uses: Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and
exterior paving, residential & commercial counter tops, monuments, curbing, statuary, balance tables, novelty items. Marble
Marble has both a scientific and commercial definition. Scientific marble was once limestone that achieved metamorphosis from intense pressures and high temperatures within
the earth. This altered its crystalline structure and introduced other minerals that produced the valuable colors and veining. Commercially, any stone capable of taking a polish (with the exception of granite) is known
as marble. This includes travertine, onyx, serpentine and limestone.Most common uses: Interior and exterior wall cladding, Interior and exterior paving, Fireplace facing and hearth, Lavatory tops, Residential &
Commercial counter tops, Table Tops, Statuary, Novelty items, Many non architectural uses, such as tooth paste, paint whiting, agricultural lime, etc. Travertine Travertine marble is a variety of limestone formed in pools by the slow precipitation of hot, mineral-rich spring water. The
"holes" characteristic of travertine were created when carbon dioxide bubbles were trapped as the stone was being formed. Although the classic travertine's are recognizable by their homogenous ecru to dark
colors, dark reds are available to dark brown veining.Most common uses: Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior paving, statuary, curbing.
Limestone Limestone is widely used as a building stone because it is readily available and easy to work with. It is a sedimentary stone,
layered and formed from the skeletons and shells of sea creatures that lived in vast, warm seas millions of years ago. Much domestic limestone is gray to buff in color, while some pastel shades of yellow to pink are
available. Imported limestone's are available in colors ranging from light beige to dark brown, red and black. When the mineral dolomite is present, it makes the limestone harder and capable of being polished in the
same manner as metamorphic marble.Most common uses: Interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior paving, limited counter top use. Slate Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic stone derived from sedimentary rock shale. It is uniform in color, available in shades such as dark to
light green, mottled purple, black, gray or dark red. Veined patterns from overseas have also recently been introduced. Unless its surface has been honed smooth, slate can be recognized by its distinct cleft pattern.Most common uses: Residential and commercial counter tops, fireplace facing, roofing, interior & exterior (American only) wall cladding, interior & exterior (American only) paving, Fireplace
facings, table tops and many non-architectural uses. |
