Investment propertyRocks of Ages: A Natural Choice For New Homes
Marble, limestone, slate, travertine, granite. These surfaces are everywhere
in new homes these days, from countertops to entry foyers, around fireplaces,
in bathrooms and in kitchens, as wall accents in formal living spaces and
underfoot on elegant indoor/outdoor patios. They come in rough hewn, glassy,
satin buffed, or pitted varieties. We are bewitched by the enduring beauty
of these natural geological surfaces, and realize that mankind has been
using stones in building since the beginning of recorded (and unrecorded)
history.
Perhaps because of the wealth of synthetic materials we have been introduced
to over the years, we seem to gravitate back to what came naturally to begin
with, and value it even more. Back in the 60"s, stone- look surfaces were
imitated with melamine on countertops, appearing amazingly real from a
distance. Upon closer examination, the edges seemed too square, or the shine
appeared a bit too plastic, and the tap was definitely hollow under our
fingertips. In later decades, stone-copying Corian countertops came into
vogue, still popular today.
What these materials set out to imitate, however, was a natural product.
There is beauty in every use of stone, and discovering that beauty is
practically becoming a new art form in new home construction and enhancement.
Even though the cost of natural stone is considerably higher than that of
ceramic tile, it seems to be where many homebuyers, even in smaller homes,
seem to putting their upgrades dollars. One of the most enduring surfaces
available, stone is easily cleaned, and is considered by many to be a form of
natural art.
Perhaps we should begin by defining a rock. According to Alpha Granite and
Marble (www.alphagranite.com) , a large stone product distributor on the West
Coast, a rock is a hard substance composed of minerals, typically more than
one. Each type of rock is formed in different ways; igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic. Igneous rock (commercially called granite) is formed by the
hot, fluid magma that moves within the earth"s crust. Rock considered
sedimentary is composed of particles that have been carried along and
deposited by wind or water. Over time they become pressed together to form
rocks. Metamorphic rock is formed when chemical reactions, heat, or
pressure, or a combination of these, forces existing rock into new kinds of
rock. The new rocks have different physical and chemical properties from the
original rocks. Organic rocks come from living organisms. Limestone is
often (but not always) made from organic rock. Deposits of limestone are
typically derived from the shells of creatures such as clams and certain
microorganisms. Limestone, onyx, and travertine are all in the family of
organic rock.
In the stone industry, rock can be classified by geologic classes or groups.
Geologic class describes the ways in which a rock was formed; groupings take
all mineral-based, igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, and the
calcite-based, organic rocks as calcareous stones. Granites are typically
harder, denser, and more durable than calcareous stones, which are more
vulnerable to common domestic acids, such as orange juice, milk and vinegar.
Many homebuyers considering the use of natural stone ask whether marble,
limestone, travertine, and onyx are porous, vulnerable to staining, water
absorption, and scratching. According to the Alpha Granite experts, the
answer is technically "yes" and practically "no." Practically speaking,
porosity is not significant as long as the stone is properly sealed to resist
water, oil, and contaminants. All stones are subject to scratching. Organic
stones, such as marble, limestone, travertine and onyx scratch more easily
than a mineral stone, such as granite; thus the popular use of granite slabs
in countertops for kitchens and restaurants.
Fine stone is extracted from quarries on 6 different continents and from some
islands as well. Blocks are cut out of the mountainside walls using drills
or wires with abrasives embedded in them. Most blocks are about the size of
a mini-van and weigh about 50,000 lbs. each. They are graded according to
color, movement, structure and overall appearance, with some reserved for
slab or tile production. Those with structural or aesthetic problems are
destined for road-building, cement-making, or even water filtration. The
graded blocks are then sold to stone-processing factories around the world.
The blocks are cut into more manageable pieces by a huge machine called a
gang-saw. The slabs are then inspected, prepared and polished through
grinding wheels to create a shine. Stone tiles, of course, are created by
cutting the blocks into thin strips and polished and cut into squares.
Understanding the millions of years of dynamics that go into stone formation
can add depth to your appreciation of this wonderful material, and perhaps
makes its use more meaningful. When considering the use of stone materials
in your new home, ask as many questions as possible to gauge where certain
stone surfaces are best used for the longest lasting beauty and effect.