Design & Build

Choosing the Right Stone for Your Surfaces

There are so many options for surfaces available. It can be overwhelming and difficult to determine what style is the best fit for your family’s needs. There are classics that will last a lifetime, and there are trends that come and go.

Generally, a lifetime of kitchen decor last less than 10 years, so when creating your dream kitchen you want to consider a look that will last the course of its time.
Kitchen experts say that requests for natural stone are ever-increasing. Homeowners have installed natural stone for obvious reasons–it’s durable, fire-safe and strikingly beautiful. Each stone is unique which is both good and bad and a stone floor can be a wonderful focal point. Each has its own unique look and features based on where and how it was naturally formed.
There are five types of stone most widely used for residential purposes.

MARBLE is a type of metamorphic rock resulting from intense pressure on limestone or dolomite. It is generally considered to be white, but it can be found veined with beautiful earthy colors caused by minerals present during its formation. Best uses are for floors, walls, fireplaces and countertops.

GRANITE is an igneous rock, which means it is volcanic lava or magma which has cooled and hardened. It is known for its durability and characteristic speckles. Perfect for flooring, fireplaces and areas that receive moisture.

SLATE is also a metamorphic rock which started out as volcanic ash or clay. It can be found in a variety of interesting colors in addition to its usual shades of gray. Slate tiles are long-lasting, water resistant, and easy to care for as floors, counters and roofs.

LIMESTONE is a sedimentary rock composed largely of small mineral particles, particularly skeletal fragments of marine organisms. It is generally available in natural hues like white, off-white, beige or gray tones. Most limestone cannot be polished so it retains a somewhat dull surface, and it is not resistant to staining and etching making it suitable more for floors, shower walls and fireplaces.

BASALT is an igneous or magmatic rock with a light to deep gray, brown, or black color. It is a durable, fine-grained, non-porous natural stone. Tiles cut from basalt are excellent for floors and walls, in addition to a multitude of decorative and practical outdoor applications such as swimming pool surrounds, garden paths, water features, and fire pits.

Provided by Savannah Surfaces