Natural stones in interiors

NATURAL STONES IN INTERIORS

1. NATURAL STONES IN INTERIORS By: ABHISHEK H A

2. Stone Production Sourcing Natural stone comes from quarries. Certain stones are available only in certain parts of the world. Italy, Spain, and Turkey are major exporters Quarries Stone is excavated using drilling and blasting techniques Large boulders are removed and processed into useable tile and slabs at the factories Factories Large blocks from the blast are planed and cut according to specification Specially calibrated machinery are used to make corners and straight cuts.

3. Cut Types and Matching Cross Cut: Stone is cut parallel to natural layers, creating a cloudy movement in the grain Vein Cut: S tone is cut perpendicular to natural layers, creating a linear movement in the grain Random Match: A casual, unmatched effect with no attempt at a pattern (most common) Book Match: a mirrored-image pattern at the joint line that produces a nearly continuous grain.

4. Natural Stone Finishes Natural Cleft : Slightly uneven surface Suitable for wall or paving Polished: Enhances the color & reflective Recommended for wall covering Sandblasted: Finely textured surface Ideal for use in traffic-ways Leather Finish: suede look and feel Suitable for slip-resistant places Antiqued: Aged appearance Flooring in Entryway Bush Hammered: Evenly textured surface Garden Decoration, coverings

5. Honed (Matte): satin smooth surface with little light reflection Recommended for interior floor Flamed: Deeply textured surface I deal for external surfaces Split Face: Natural quarry texture Look of protruding bricks Veneer Stone : Decorative facing material Wall cladding (non load-bearing walls) Fleuri Cut / Sawn Cut: Offers complimentary accent Landscape design applications Chiseled Stone: Linen texture with fine grooves Suitable for Exterior wall or paving Natural Stone Finishes

6. Specification Considerations Residential Based on the application and preferred look type of finish is selected. Slipperiness is a client concern in wet areas when using polished stone. Dust often makes stone more slippery Textured finishes look great for walls, Shower Floors: Must have small mosaics (most contractors prefer 2X2 or smaller, although 4X4 can work) Thickness of Tiles Unlike porcelain tile, natural stone tiles vary in thickness from size to size (large format tiles must be thicker to prevent breakage.) Sealer Natural stone should be sealed at the time of installation to prevent staining. Sealer does not create a shiny finish or effect slip resistance. It creates a water-tight barrier, strengthens stone, and enhances the color Types of Sealers: 1 . Enhancing Sealers 4. Natural sealers 2. Water based S ealers 5. Solvent based Sealers (Volatile Organic Compounds ) 3. Penetrating Sealers 6. Topical Stone Sealer

7. Natural Stone Types: Travertine Character: The stone is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in its surface. Available in variety of colors (mostly in the warm range). Formation: Travertine is a sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals. Applications: Floor and Wall Generally not chosen for kitchen countertops due to its low density, but travertine makes a beautiful countertop in a bathroom A popular choice for outdoor use; especially as cladding , pavers, or as pool surrounds. Travertine is naturally water ‘resistant” as it tends to push water out due to the way the stone is formed. Widely used stone in modern architecture. Outdoor use in some cases—but not where erosion may be a concern.

8. Travertine Flooring Benefits Affordable Luxury:  Tiles deliver a rich look at a reasonable price. Durability and Longevity:  Natural stone is stronger than man-made tiles and provides decades of beauty. Versatility:  Travertine flooring blends easily with accent colors and virtually any decor style. Adds Value:  Stone flooring is a great investment that increases your home's aesthetic appeal and market value. Relatively Low-Maintenance:  It's easy to clean and only requires periodic resealing. Practical Choice:  Stone is a great option for high-traffic areas. One-of-a-kind Looks:  No two tiles are alike. Easy to Work With:  Tiles are easier to manipulate, especially when cutting small pieces. Unglazed/Colored Throughout:  Consistent color through every layer of the tile makes nicks and chips less visible. Flexible Replacement:  Natural variations in color make it easier to match replacement tiles. Natural Stone Type: Travertine

9. Natural Stone Type: Travertine Autumn Blend Travertine tile Old Wood Travertine tile Noce Travertine tile Leonardo Travertine tile Ivory Travertine tile Ivory French Pattern Travertine tile Gold Travertine tile Scabos Travertine tile Standard Sizes Available: 12" x 12" x 3/8", 16" x 16" x 3/8", 24" x 36" x 3/4", Slab

10. COLOSSEUM OF ROME PAMUKKALE IVORY TRAVERTINE:LIVING ROOM GOLD TRAVERTINE:KITCHEN Natural Stone Type: Travertine

11. Natural Stone Type: Limestone Character: Often has visible fossils embedded within,. Conveys Calmness and Serenity. Adds Warmth, Sophistication and Subtleness Formation: Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of different crystal forms of calcium carbonate. Most grains in limestone are skeletal fragments of marine organisms Application Floor and wall Not generally chosen for countertops due to its porosity and tendency to stain-- limestone is suitable for bathroom countertops, however. Not generally chosen for outdoor use for the same reasons, but it can be used with proper sealing Some limestones must be sealed from the front and the back before installation to prevent the setting materials from staining the stone.

12. Benefits Of Limestone Flooring   1. Durable Limestone tiles are hard and do not wear easily, they are also moderately soft to the touch, they are more comfortable to walk on. 2. It’s Beautiful Limestone flooring creates a timeless, charming environment. No matter the color or style you choose, limestone’s natural, earthy characteristics will give your home a modern, yet traditional feel. it is a long lasting and luxurious material. 3. It’s Cost Effective It has that luxurious appearance that will elevate your home’s design and atmosphere. 4 . It’s Versatile Limestone comes in various colors, shapes and sizes so that it can easily match it to interior design. 5. It’s Cleanly & Easy to Maintain Limestone is resistant to mold and bacteria. This makes it a fabulous material to use in bathrooms or outdoors around the pool. Natural Stone Type: Limestone

13. Natural Stone Type: Limestone London Grey Gascogne Beige (Honed) Alhambra (Honed) Porto Beige (Honed) Paloma (Honed) Lagos Gold (Honed) Flannel (Brushed) Beaumaniere Light (Honed) Lagos Azul (Honed) Beaumaniere Classic (Honed) Medina Stone (brushed) Antium Limestone Standard Sizes Available: 12" x 12" x 3/8", 16" x 16" x 3/8", 24" x 36" x 3/4", Slab

14. LEANING TOWER OF PISA Natural Stone Type: Limestone KANCHIPURAM TEMPLE LOTUS MAHAL

15. Natural Stone Type: Limestone

16. Natural Stone Types: Marble Character: Marble often has distinct veining with a wide variety of colors that gives an air of elegance and a legacy of success Formation: Marble is a metamorphic crystalline rock formed when limestone has additional heat and pressure applied to it by the earth’s crust, causing the stone to re-crystallize. Applications: Flooring,Walls,Bathroom Countertops Ornamental  furnishings, Outdoor sculpture and Stairs and pavements Marble is not recommended to be used in modular kitchen as it is highly susceptible to acid attacks

17. Benefits Of Marble Flooring Durable Marble tiles are hard and do not wear easily, they are also moderately soft to the touch, they are more comfortable to walk on. 2. It’s Beautiful Attractiveness of the flooring will increase due to its appearance. 3. It’s Cost Effective Ideal for designer flooring with inlays. 4. It’s Versatile It comes in variety of colours and natural patterns which make it ideal for the decorative purpose. 5. It’s Clean & Easy to Maintain Water resistant and bacteria resistant. • Can be re-polished again to maintain glossy / shine effect. Natural Stone Type: Marble

18. Natural Stone Type: Marble Black Pearl Marble Tiles Emperador Light Fantasy White Marble Tiles Equator Marble Tiles Dolomite Marble Tiles Crema Marfil Marble Carrara Marble Cappuccino Premium (Light & Dark) Cappuccino Antique Marble Calacatta Borghini Marble Botticino Marble Tiles French Vanilla Marble  Standard Sizes Available: 12" x 12" x 3/8", 16" x 16" x 3/8", 24" x 36" x 3/4", Slab

19. Natural Stone Type: Marble Parthenon in Athens Pisa Cathedral in Pisa Taj Mahal in Agra, India Birla Mandir,Hyderabad

20. Natural Stone Type: Marble

21. Natural Stone Types: Granite Character: often has “busy” visual texture in a variety of colors. Formation: Granite is a plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz Applications: Floor and wall Countertops: the hardness of the stone makes granite the most popular choice for both kitchen and bathroom countertops and fireplace mantles Suitable for any outdoor applications like Paving and Curbstones

22. Benefits Of Granite Flooring 1. Beauty The range of different colors and patterns adds a warm tone, area character and sophistication. 2. Durable Granite is a hard stone that is virtually impossible to break and will last a lifetime and will remain in great condition. 3. Hypoallergenic qualities It is resistant to bacteria and allergens. 4. Resistance to water and moisture Once properly sealed, granite is extremely resistant to water and moisture. 5. Reusable Granite can also be recycled or repurposed can be used for landscaping, statues, concrete mixes, walkways, or even re-installs. Natural Stone Type: Granite

23. Absolute Black Desert Brown Imperial Gold Whisper White Silver Waves Dynamic Blue Azul Celesta Astoria Aspen White Black Galaxy Arabian Black Antico Cream Standard Sizes Available: 12" x 12" x 3/8", 16" x 16" x 3/8", 24" x 36" x 3/4", Slab Natural Stone Type: Granite

24. Brihadeeshwara Temple, Thanjavur Sanchi Stupa, Sanchi London Bridge, London Narasimha & Stone Chariot, Hampi , Karnataka Natural Stone Type: Granite

25. Natural Stone Type: Granite

26. Natural Stone Type: Slate/ Quartzite Slate Character: rough texture, mostly greys , but some varieties have dramatic some color variation. Formation: Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash Quartzite Character: Looks similar to slate, but is harder and doesn’t shale Formation:  a very hard metamorphic rock consisting of a mosaic of intergrown quartz crystals Applications: -Floor and wall: must consider shaling when choosing slate Not generally used as kitchen countertops due to shaling , Great for outdoor use

27. Belvedere Calcatta Macaubas Crystal-ice Dolce-de-vita Mauanaloa Madreperola Kalahari Ice-flakes Plasma-night Sea-pearl Taj-mahal Tanzinita Natural Stone Type: Slate/ Quartzite

28. Natural Stone Type: Slate/ Quartzite

29. Natural Stone Type: Slate/ Quartzite

30. Natural Stone Types: Onyx and Soapstone Onyx Character: translucent, can range from gold and oranges to green. Formation: Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. Onyx is a sedimentary rock, formed as stalactites and stalagmites in cave interiors. Applications Floor, Wall and decorative. Onyx can be delicate, so be careful where you use it. Most popular for Vanity countertops or specialty surfaces Soap Stone Character: Grey, sometimes greenish. With white veining. Smooth “soapy” feel Formation: a metamorphic rock that is largely composed of the mineral talc Applications: Generally used for countertops Chemical and heat resistant but NOT scratch resistant Can be delicate—must be oiled regularly to keep color

31. Natural Stone Types: Onyx and Soapstone