What to look for when buying natural stone
Natural Stone has been used as a construction material since time immemorial. The use of natural stone in construction and design offers a plethora of benefits that makes it worthy of consideration even in this age of engineered super materials.
But with so many options, choosing which natural stone to use for your next project can be a tedious process; which is why we have decided to make the decision a little less fretful.
What characteristics should be considered?
Appearance: Basalt is different to Limestone, and Marble is different from Granite. Each stone has a particular appearance that makes them suitable for various projects. Try to visualise your completed project and picture what it will look like with different stones before committing.
Structure: The best natural stone should have a uniform internal composition, free of fissures and pockets of soft material. If you can spot stratifications with the naked eye, chances are the stone is not structurally sound.
Weight: A stone’s weight is indicative of many things, not the least of which is its suitability to a given project. Remember, denser material will be heavier but much more resistant to wear over time.
Hardness: This characteristic is fundamental, and especially so if you are going to use the stone on floors, pavements, and driveways. It is determined by the Mohs scale and the higher on the scale you find a particular stone, the harder and stronger it will be.
Porosity: Porosity is important for various reasons. A stone’s porosity will depend on its mineral content and inner structure. Overlooking this characteristic can run you into trouble, for example, because a highly porous stone can easily crack under a sudden freeze because of all the water it has absorbed over time.