“Natural Stone” refers to a number of products quarried from the 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. This is usually considered a benefit, lending itself to one-of-a-kind designs and distinctive, dramatic applications.
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.
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.
Limestone: The muted, soft tones of limestone are perfect for today’s casual and comfortable lifestyles. Available in hues of soft beige and tan, either polished or honed, limestone products are ideal for bathrooms, fireplaces, countertops, and flooring in low-traffic, informal areas.
Travertine: Valued for its banded, pitted “distressed” appearance, travertine adds rich, distinctive character to a variety of indoor and outdoor building projects. Its patterns and veining effects were formed by hot spring water percolating through underground limestone. When used for interior applications, travertine is often filled with cement, grout, or resin and sealed to create a smooth, stain-resistant surface.
Why can some stones not be used for exterior applications?
Some types of stone are better suited for interior applications than exterior because they cannot withstand harsh weather extremes and may crack, crumble, or fade. Also, stones with naturally slip-resistant surfaces are better for outdoor walkways or patios than those with smooth, polished surfaces. Some multicolored slates bleed color upon contact with water.
How often should I seal my natural stone?
Many natural stone experts recommend sealing surfaces on an annual basis unless they are experiencing above-average wear and tear. For instance, if you cook every day in your kitchen and clean the countertops daily, you might need to reseal the granite seasonally or biannually to protect it from future damage. If your natural stone countertops or natural stone surfaces are in need of some TLC contact the professional stone experts of Houston at Modern Stone Care. Our team can help you to determine how often you need to seal your granite surfaces and keep them looking great for decades to come.
Modern Stone Care is the premier natural stone care company in Houston! We work with a wide range of natural stone materials including slate, marble, travertine, granite, limestone, and more, Natural stone can last a lifetime whenever it is properly cared for, however, when natural stone is not handled properly, you can easily damage it. Make sure you are doing everything you can to protect your investment and keep your natural stone surfaces looking great for a lifetime when you work with our natural stone experts!
Natural Stone Services in Houston TX
At Modern Stone Care, our team of highly knowledgeable technicians specializes in the restoration, cleaning, polishing, and sealing of all-natural stone surfaces. This includes flooring, countertops, outdoor pool coping, and more. We work hard to ensure your natural stone maintains its beautiful and vibrant appearance for as long as possible. When it comes to the care of your delicate natural stone surfaces, leave it to the professionals at Modern Stone Care. We proudly serve The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
Modern Stone Care
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
(832) 814–2041
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