Natural Stone

Lydia Mattison | Aug 08, 2017

Natural stone is one of the most fashionable materials in architectural and interior design. It can be used internally or externally to give your structure and environment character and appeal.  Their unique qualities, durability, elegance and the fact that they are environmentally friendly, makes it a formidable material. 

Because of its colouring and graining, and the uniqueness of each stone, homeowners feel assured that wherever and however they incorporate the natural stone in the design, no other home with have the same exact look. 

Quartzite

Patios, Decks, flooring, walkways, driveways are a few places to use natural stone on the exterior of your home. The above image, quartzite has been used for the decking, pool coping and jaccuzzi, to create a beautiful peaceful hilltop spa.   

There are four types of stone that homeowners and interior designers select regularly.

Ostra 1

QUARTZITE: 

Incredibly beautiful and highly practical. It has a lovely textured surface with beautiful graining and has slip resistant  characteristics, which makes it a good choice for wet areas and well suited for young children and elderly who may be more prone to slip. Each piece is distinct and has its own character but laid together forms a tapestry of luxury and elegance.

Limestoneh

LIMESTONE: 

An earthier more natural look, is achieved with limestone. Because of its versatility, popular uses for limestone include flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding, paving. It is a great option if you are looking for a natural appeal. It is a stone that is cold in nature and is formed over time from shells and fossils that have been compacted by pressure. It comes in a variety of natural tones , shades and textures and will give your home a vintage charm.

Dove

GRANITE:

Granite is mesmerising because of the multitude of metallic and mineral flecks or veins that are present. Granites are extremely hard, durable and scratch resistant.  Granite is also heat, and stain resistant.  If your design requires permanence, enduring colour and texture, and easy maintenance, this is the stone of choice.  It is commonly used on facades of commercial buildings . It is the best choice for driveways, walkways, terraces, steps, plazas, and public areas.

Slate

SLATE:

Slate has a soft, silky feel yet because of its textured surface is slip resistant. It is extremely versatile and durable and because of its texture and vivid colours is a favourite amongst homeowners. Slate requires less maintenance than many of the other natural stone materials. Slate has a luxurious feel and elegant look and can be used on the interior and exterior both residentially or commercially.

Here we have highlighted four types of natural stone. When choosing natural stone for your project, ask yourself a couple of questions:

  1. What look am I trying to achieve? 
  2. Where will I be placing the stone?
  3. What finish should I choose for the area?
  4. How will my lifestyle impact my choice?
  5. What care will it require?

It is recommended natural stone needs to be sealed with a penetrating sealer, not a topical sealer. Topical sealers can alter the surface texture and finish as well as build up on the surface, creating a layer that is less durable than the stone.

Once properly sealed, the stone will be protected against everyday dirt, spills and stains, and will give you timeless natural beauty.