FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Natural stone is one of the most popular materials for countertops, flooring, walls, patios, driveways, and many other home and commercial projects. Limesotne, Travertine, Marble, Slate, Onyx and other natural stones come in a wide array of colors and patterns to suit any design style and project. Learn more about maintenance, care, and installation, and answers to frequently asked questions.

• What is Natural Stone?

  "Natural Stone" refers to products quarried from the mother earth, used over many thousands of years as building materials and decorative enhancements. These products include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Adoquin, Onyx, and others. They are more than just rocks – natural stone is hand selected from the best, most consistent sources for durability and beauty. Natural stone products differ in composition, color, and texture even among pieces from the same source. No two pieces are alike. This is usually considered a benefit, lending itself to one of a kind designs and distinctive, dramatic applications.

• Who needs natural stone in the USA ?

  In past eras, Natural Stone was mainly been used for large-scale construction and in formal applications such as churches and government buildings. It was also been used for road construction like cobble stone and pavers and many monuments. For residential construction, wood and brick were the traditional choice. However, there has been a growing trend in recent years to use Natural Stone in residential construction for both structural and decorative use. Popular applications include Patio's, pools, entryways, atriums, bathrooms, fireplaces, floors, countertops, and many other surfaces.

• Why should I use natural stone in my home?

  Why settle for look-alike when you can get real stone. Natural stone is prized its distinctive beauty and the sense of peaceful tranquility it creates, but there are also many practical benefits to using Natural Stone in your home. Natural Stone products are more durable than many artificial products, often lasting for decades with very little maintenance. With Natural Stone there are no worries about exposure to harmful chemicals in the home or released into the environment during production or disposal. Why invest time and money into a look-alike? Natural Stone is the real thing that the artificial products try to emulate.

• What are the different kinds of natural stone?

  Natural Stone products include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone and Onyx.
  
  Granite
  
  For maintenance-free elegance and durability, granite is unmatched. Its incredible strength and density makes granite the perfect choice for massive structural work – walls, monuments and supports. Though it is the hardest of structural stones, the amazing variety of mineral-rich colors and natural patterns gives it ornamental value as well. Granite products are ideal for flooring, countertops, vanities and decorative exterior applications.
  
  Marble
  
  Prized for its timeless style, texture and high-gloss polish along with a rich palette of beautiful colors, marble has a place anywhere in the home. Available in solids or dramatic veined varieties, marble may be carved or sculpted in many ways, making it one of the most versatile decorative stones. Often seen as a symbol of luxury, modern technology brings beautiful marble products even to budget-conscious homeowners.
  
  Serpentine Marble
  
  Also referred to as Verde Antique, Serpentine Marble is a dramatic green color with strong white veining.
  
  Slate
  
  Formed over thousands of years of sedimentary deposit and compression, slate splits naturally into beautifully textured layers. The various shades of slate products – brown, yellow, dark gray, pink, lavender and more – may even occur within the same piece of stone. Durable and stain-resistant, slate products are often used for flooring, cladding and landscaping.
  
  Quartz
  
  Shimmering and sparkling with tiny quartz crystals, Quartz is a rock similar to slate with a medium grained texture and incredible durability. Differing mineral content creates many color variations, from the sedate white, gray or beige to more adventurous shades of purple and pink. Quartzite is widely used for wall veneers and decorative tiles. A naturally non-skid texture makes it a perfect candidate for flooring indoors and out, including areas with heavy traffic and exposure to the elements.

• Why are some stones more expensive than others?

  Stones that are harder and denser are more difficult and expensive to quarry and process. Quarrying methods vary as well; stones may be quarried below ground, which is more expensive than above ground. Also, since natural stone is quarried all over the world, long distance shipping factors into the price.

• How many different colors of stones are available?

  Natural stone is available in a nearly endless variation of colors, patterns and veining. These may include shades of beige, gray, gold, red, pink, blue, and green.