When it comes to projects of remodeling homes, nothing can
beat the unique beauty of natural stone. Although there have been advancements
in the competing materials like
concrete, stone still remains one of most popular and versatile building
materials for improvement of homes.
Applications
of Natural Stone:
Following are some of the applications of natural stone.
·
Stone
Countertops:
Do you know that one of the easiest ways of
increasing the value of a home is to install stone countertops? The reason for
this is that stone countertops are more beautiful and more durable than
alternatives like plastic laminate. Many natural stones are used as the
countertop surfaces. Granite is the most popular choice because of its
hardness. Slate, marble, soapstone and Jerusalem stone are also good options to
consider.
Natural stones come in different grains and
colors. It allows the homeowners to customize the appearance of the countertops
in order to match their preferences and tastes. For added versatility, the
texture, thickness and finish of stone countertops can be varied.
·
Stone
Tile:
When it comes to flooring, bathroom walls
and backsplashes, the natural stone tiles are a great product. Thin stone
sheets can be cut in to simple and uniform shapes like rectangles and squares.
Freeform geometric shapes are also available and they give a more rustic look.
Regardless of the shape, different options in the stone tiles allow you to
create a look according to your imagination—from subtle elegance of single
shade to bright pastiche of different colors. The popular choices in stone
tiles include marble, slate, travertine, quartzite, limestone, flagstone and
terrazzo.
·
Stone
Pavers:
The stone pavers are essentially breaks of
stone. They are great for the exterior applications like driveways, walkways
and patios. Because of the exceptional durability and strength provided by the
material, they are a really good alternative to concrete. You can dramatically
enhance the beauty of your home by installing a travertine driveway or a
limestone patio. Stone pavers might also be used in place of clay brick for
building chimneys or home walls.
Benefits of
Natural Stone:
Natural Stone is a preferred home improvement material
because of its many benefits. Firstly Natural Stone provides exceptional beauty
and versatility without compromising on functionality and long term durability.
Also natural stone can be maintained easily and it requires very little effort
to clean. All one has to do to clean natural stone is to wash it with warm
water and soap. Stone is also all-natural which makes it an environmentally
friendly material. Because of having low porosity of many stones, it’s also
very hygienic for bathroom and kitchen applications.
