Common Natural Stone Types: 10 Types of Well-Known Construction Materials

Common natural stone types are to be discussed here. There are numerous types of natural stone, each with their own characteristics. Thus, researching the sustainability of natural stone is important if you want to use it in your new home. Stay with us with some very common natural stone types used in construction industry in large-scale.

Basalts

Basalts are one of the most common rock types in the world. They are usually grey to black in color and are fine-grained. They are sometimes characterized by small holes in the stone structure and their grey tones and subtle patterns make it a very popular choice for both interior and exterior applications.

Granite

To start with, Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma deep within the earth’s crust. It is a hard, igneous rock that is found in various forms throughout the earth.  Granite is generally composed of quartz and feldspar making it extremely scratch, heat and chip resistant.

Its low porosity makes it an excellent material for both internal and external applications, mainly suited to kitchen benchtops and flooring. Its durability and variety of colors make it the perfect material for many applications including kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, floors and walls.

Quartzite

Quartzite has similar, if not stronger, physical-mechanical features than granite. It is suitable for both internal and external applications depending on the particular type and can uniquely offer colors and veining similar to that of marble with the added benefit of the hardness of granite, making this the ideal kitchen bench top material.

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of calcite. Commonly Limestone is produced in a honed finish, as most are not able to take a high polish due to its delicate nature. Limestone is generally ivory, browns or greys in color and has a low to mid-range hardness.

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. It is soft and can be easily damaged, comprising primarily of calcite and often containing other minerals such as clay, micas, quartz, iron oxides and graphite.

Onyx

Onyx is a calcareous material with a very fine grain and veins running alongside each other. It’s a translucent stone synonymous with luxury living and often produced in a high polish finish to expose the colors and patterns.

Travertine

Travertine is a banded, more compact form of limestone, characterized by the many holes and chambers through the stone. In other words, travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs. It often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and even rusty varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate in a limestone cave. In the latter, it can form stalactites, stalagmites, and other speleothems. It varies in color from dusty white to silver-grey, to gold, coral red and toffee. It is frequently used in Italy and elsewhere as a building material.

Soapstone

Soapstone is a dark grey or green variety of talc.  Softer to the touch than other stones, it gives the feeling of rubbing a piece of dry soap.  A popular choice when trying to achieve an old fashioned or rustic look.

Slate

Slate is a dense, metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments such as clay and shale.  Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, it is available in a smooth or cleft finish.

Semi-precious Stone

Semi-precious stone slabs incorporate an impressive arrangement of hand selected Quartz, Amethyst, Petrified Wood and Fossils. Available in large format slabs, the 30mm thick slabs are resin backed making them suitable for further fabrication.

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Sources

www.kalka.com.au/blog/types-of-natural-stone

stonesurfacesinc.net/types-of-natural-stone