When your design call for the texture and natural ambiance of form and function these should be your choices. Slate and Sandstone are both sedimentary stones, usually formed as a result of quartz stones being eroded and redeposited by either water or wind. Sandstone consists of larger grain particles than slate. If sandstone is subject to heat and pressure, it will eventually turn into quartzite, an incredibly hard and dense material. Slate consists of similar particles that are typically much smaller in size. Most of these materials are taken out of the ground one piece at a time and will have a “natural cleft” finish, which is the natural bedding plane of the material. The natural cleft finish is rougher that a sawn finish, which makes it ideal for flooring applications. Most slate and sandstone is suitable for both interior or exterior applications.
To compose a quartz surface, advanced polymer resins and pigments are fused with 93% quartz, one of the hardest minerals in nature. This produces a surface that is as durable as granite with scratch, heat, and chip resistant properties. Because of the manufacturing process, the color and pattern of quartz slabs are very consistent, although some die lot differences must be expected. Using new technology and methods, many manufacturers create beautiful colors that closely resemble the patterns of natural granites and marbles. And since there is more control over a this man-made color pallette, you can get countertops in nearly any color of the rainbow! At Rocky Mountain Stone, you can choose from hundreds of color samples in our showroom. If you’d like to browse the selection online, visit our suppliers websites through the links below.
Soapstone is extremely durable and versatile, yet it exudes warmth and softness to the touch. The unique combination has made it the current material of choice for a variety of applications. It opens the door to many design styles from traditional to modern. Naturally, soapstone is a soft gray-green color with light flowing veins. When oiled, soapstone darkens dramatically and the veins become more prominent. Soapstone is practically indestructible, and adds elegance and enduring value to any project.
Why People Love Soapstone
When you think of luxury and stone, you think of marble. Marble is basically metamorphosed limestone. Once limestone is subjected to heat and pressure, the calcium carbonate re-crystallizes into marble. There are several types of marble; calcite, dolomite, serpentine and travertine. Each of these is similar in their composition, that being predominately calcium carbonate, and their capability to take a polish. Marble works well in both interior and exterior applications, but remember that with today’s environment, containing so many pollutants, a polished finish on exterior marble will normally not last.
When your bring limestone into your home and business designs, you bring a stunning dimension of history and raw beauty. Limestone is typically formed over many years at the bottom of oceans or lakes from the accumulation of shells, bones and other calcium rich goods. If this limestone is subjected to intense heat or pressure and a few millennia, a crystallization will occur and the limestone will become a “true marble.” Chemically they are both still calcium carbonate, but the marble will have crystalline structure and the limestone will have relatively flat appearance. Limestone that has magnesium in it is called “dolomitic limestone” and is much harder and more resistant to weathering. Limestone are typically used for flooring, wall cladding, vanity tops, furniture and ornate stonework.
It’s mesmerizing. Each time you look at a piece of travertine, you’ll find yourself seeing something different. Travertine is formed in hot springs and gets its enchanting look when hot water passes through limestone beds. The water dissolves calcium from the limestone and moves it to the surface of the bed. When the water evaporates it leaves calcium crystals in layers on the surface. This is what gives travertine its characteristic bedding planes. The holes that occur between bedding planes of the stone are caused by air trapped below the surface of the deposited stone. Travertine comes in several shades of creme/beige, brown, pink and gold, and is available in different tile sizes and slab thicknesses. Commonly used for flooring, wall cladding, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds and furniture, travertine is an excellent choice for diverse applications.
Nothing is more beautiful or more practical than a countertop of natural granite. Granite comes in an extraordinary palette of colors ranging from subtle to dazzling in intensity, as each granite color comes from a different quarry – and no two quarries in the world will yield the same color. Granite is typically made up of three minerals; quartz, feldspar and mica. Because granite is typically the hardest of the dimensional stones and withstands the elements very well, it’s considered the best choice for kitchen countertops. Granite resists scratching, and is stain and heat resistant. It is also suitable for flooring or paving, wall cladding, all other types of countertops and tombstones. You can enjoy the beautiful look of granite for either exterior or interior applications.
